Here is a summary of the scheduled discussions for the Harbours Sub-Committee meeting on 10 September 2025. The meeting was scheduled to address the Public Sector Equality Duty and to consider proposed changes to the rates and dues at Macduff Harbour. The report pack included a recommendation to approve the changes to Macduff Harbour rates and dues for the remainder of the 2025/2026 financial year.

Macduff Harbour Rates and Dues Review 2025-2026

The Sub-Committee was scheduled to review and discuss proposed mid-year changes to the rates and dues applied to Macduff Harbour, following consultation with harbour stakeholders and comparisons with similar commercial harbours.

The report pack contained a recommendation to approve the changes to Macduff Harbour rates and dues for the remainder of the 2025/2026 financial year, with the changes taking effect from 1 September.

The report pack stated that the income generation within the commercial harbour of Macduff had been extensively reviewed as part of the Macduff harbour Economic Development Implementation Plan 2025 (MEDIP) strategy, and that putting the commercial harbour on appropriate cost recovery terms was a key short-term requirement. It was noted that all professional services within the harbour should be charged for appropriately, relevant to the different levels of service provision being made available and utilised by commercial clients, and that the proposed changes were in line with comparable commercial harbours within the region.

The proposed changes would eliminate historical gratis service provision and raise other current services charging to be in line with neighbouring commercial harbours. This was intended to ensure that the harbour improves its cost recovery position and assists in maintaining a more stable trading environment for all marine clients using any of the commercial harbours within the region. The proposed changes were projected to provide an increase in annual revenue income of approximately £86,000 for Macduff.

Appendix 1 of the report pack, titled Macduff Harbour Rates and Dues 2025-2026 change proposal, contained a table of proposed changes to the rates and dues. Some of the proposed changes included:

• Fish Landings: Vessels <10m, a new charge of 1.50% for small inshore creel boats and line fishers. Vessels >10m Per Quarter, a new charge of 2.5/1.5% per quarter on first £7,500 total catch value reduced to 1.5% for remainder of quarter
• Waste Disposal: Compulsory Waste Disposal Charge (on arrival, per visit), per week in Harbour & Slipway, increasing from £30.00 to £60.00, and a new charge of £100.00 for the supply of a skip for waste disposal
• Slipways & Repair Pads: Vessels > 15 Tonnes, Extraction per meter, 1st day only 24 hour period of part thereof, increasing from £38.00 to £40.00
• Turnout Charge: A new charge of £84.00 per hour or part thereof in respect of any attendance by a Harbour Officer out with provision of listed standard port services. Out of hours - Minimum 2 Hours Such charge shall comprise the wages and overtime payable by the Council, plus a surcharge of 25%.
• Supply of Electricity: Under 17m, increasing from £13.20 to £40.00 per day or part of
• Linesman Service: Mooring & Springing assistance upon request - Normal Hours weekdays, a new charge of £65.00. Mooring & Springing assistance upon request - Out of Hours and weekends, a new charge of £125.00
• Macduff Fish Cold Store: Fish Cold Storage per box in excess of 10 boxes only. Per day or part thereof - unless less than 3 hours, a new charge of £0.50. Cleaning of fish market required by Harbour staff after use. Charged per hour, x2 min after hours. No charge if undertaken by vessel crew to the satisfaction of attending harbour officer, a new charge of £150.00
• Pollution Cleanup: Pollution event cleanup where causation is made. Min charge applies. If cost exceeded then full cost recovery implemented, a new charge of £2,400.00

The report pack stated that the proposals help deliver the Strategic Priorities A sustainable economy and Connected communities by ensuring that the Harbour is maintained and operated in a manner that presents the best opportunity for sustainability and future proofing.

An Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) was undertaken as part of the development of the proposals. The IIA concluded that there would be positive impacts, as material and area deprivation is reduced by managing and maintaining the harbour in the best possible condition, by promoting existing and future use and investment. This would safeguard and promote current commercial activity and promote future investment opportunities whilst supporting potential jobs within the local area.

The following risks were identified as relevant to this matter on a Corporate Level:

• ACORP001 Budget Pressures – The proposed increases in the Rates and Dues within this Report will assist to reduce the overall deficit of the Harbours.
• ACORP006 Reputation Management – The proposed increases in Rates and Dues within this Report are in line with CLI and should not make us less attractive in a competitive environment.

Public Sector Equality Duty

The Sub-Committee was asked to consider a resolution to have due regard to the need to:

• eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation;
• advance equality of opportunity between those who share a protected characteristic and persons who do not share it; and
• foster good relations between those who share a protected characteristic and persons who do not share it.

The report pack reminded members of their legal duty under section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation; advance equality of opportunity; and foster good relations between those who share a protected characteristic and persons who do not share it. The protected characteristics under the legislation are: age; disability; gender reassignment; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion or belief; sex; sexual orientation; and (in relation to eliminating discrimination only) marriage and civil partnership.