Agenda item

The licensing of pleasure boats and boatperson licences is currently outside the scope of any policy.

The draft policy as presented will provide a clear framework for the determination of any applications.

The Licensing Manager presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'B' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Committee was advised that, in line with good practice, a draft Pleasure Boat and Boatperson Policy had been prepared, to set out the requirements for the licensing of pleasure boats and boatpersons by the Council as Licensing Authority, including how any such applications would be determined. Pleasure Boat licences applied to boats/vessels that operated within inland waters only, including Poole and Christchurch Harbours. The Council only issued such licences to Class B boats which were crewed by a bosun and took no more than 12 paying passengers and Class C boats which were 'self drive’ vessels and hired out. The Council was responsible for ensuring these boats/vessels were safe for passengers and users. Boatperson licences were only issued once the Council was satisfied a person was competent and capable of operating the boat/vessel.

Although there had been no legacy policy on which to base the draft document, the Council had been working with the Harbour Master in Poole and Boat Inspectors in Christchurch where these licences had been previously issued to ensure the new policy was in accordance with their recommendations. The Committee was asked to consider the draft policy, make any amendments as necessary and then agree to publish it for a six week public consultation in early 2024.

The Licensing Manager responded to questions and comments on the draft policy. Members felt that it would be helpful for the policy to include the minimum requirements/qualifications which must be met before a licence could be issued. The Committee was advised that that there was nothing specified in legislation and that the Council relied on the knowledge and expertise of the Harbourmaster and Boat Inspectors to endorse applications. Members agreed that as part of the consultation the Harbour Master and Boat Inspectors be asked to clarify the minimum requirements for them to be satisfied that a licence should be granted.

Members also felt that it would be helpful to add some text to the consultation page and to the introductory section of the policy to expand on and clarify which types of boats/vessels were included within the Council’s remit to licence and which types of boats/vessels were not and to explain the role of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). The Committee agreed to delegate authority to the Licensing Manager in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair to agree the additional wording to include in the draft policy prior to the consultation, which was due to commence in February 2024.

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The Licensing Manager was asked whether the mechanism and timescale for reviewing fees should be included as part of the policy. It was explained that these fees were reviewed on a more regular basis than the policy with no requirement to consult. The fees were next due to be considered by the Committee in March 2024 as part of a wider report on the review of non-statutory licensing fees.

RESOLVED that the draft Pleasure Boats and Boatperson Licensing Policy be agreed for a six week public consultation in 2024, subject to the inclusion of additional information in the introductory section to clarify what is in and out of scope with authority delegated to the Licensing Manager in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair to agree the final wording.

Voting: Unanimous