The Harbours Advisory Committee met to discuss the financial performance and ongoing projects across Dorset Council's harbours. The committee reviewed budget monitoring reports, updates on flood and coastal erosion risk management, and the marine safety plan. Members also considered the scope for a new economic review of the harbours.

Weymouth Harbour Budget Monitoring

Weymouth Harbour is currently forecasting a year-end surplus of £1,051,832, significantly higher than the originally expected £453,268. This is mainly due to higher than anticipated parking revenue as a result of delays to repair work on Walls F & G.

Other key points from the budget monitoring report included:

• Income: Overall income is £564,065 favourable. Parking revenue is significantly higher than expected due to delays in repair works. Income from visiting recreational vessels is lower than last year, but overall income for recreational visitors is expected to exceed budget expectations. The marina remains busy, with income from temporary berths increasing by 30% due to more flexible short-term berthing options. The new fish landing quay is now operational and is expected to generate a new income stream.
• Expenditure: Overall expenditure is £34,499 favourable. Employee costs have increased due to a higher than budgeted pay award. Water usage has decreased due to the resolution of an issue with a water meter. Waste management costs have risen slightly due to efforts to improve recycling practices.
• Reserves: The reserve balance brought forward is £3,816,381. This balance is committed to delivering a programme of works aimed at maintaining and improving harbour facilities.

The committee reviewed the financial commitments associated with the asset management and development and projects reserves.

Bridport and Lyme Regis Harbours Budget Monitoring

The committee also discussed the budget monitoring for Bridport (West Bay) and Lyme Regis Harbours.

For Bridport Harbour, the current forecast shows a projected surplus of £93,508, which is expected to be transferred into the Bridport Harbour Reserve at year-end. Variances to the budget forecast include an overspend on service recharges and a saving due to the vacant Harbour Mechanic post, offset by a shortfall in income. Car park income is performing strongly.

Lyme Regis Harbour is currently forecasting to break even, marking the first year it has operated with a net nil budget. There is no reserve currently in place for Lyme Harbour, and no surplus transfer is forecast at year-end.

Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Engineering Update

Matthew Penny, Service Manager Flood & Coastal Erosion Risk Management, provided an update on engineering activities in Bridport, Lyme Regis, and Weymouth harbours.

• Bridport Harbour: Trial implementation of new water injection dredging techniques are planned. Inspections have identified more defects, which are programmed for repair over the next 5 years. Work to harbour walls A & B is being progressed as a single project, with wall B being the more urgent works.
• Lyme Regis Harbour: Trial implementation of new water injection dredging techniques are planned. Defects programmed for repair in 2025 will be completed after the summer season ends. A large void at the toe of the seaward wall of the Cobb has been identified, and £350,000 has been allocated for repairs. The Lyme Regis Environmental Improvement Scheme Phase 5 is facing a funding shortfall of £4.16m.
• Weymouth Harbour: 2025/26 inspections are near completion. This season's repairs will focus on minor repairs to the stone pier and Wall 2, as well as replacing some defective non-return flaps. The Weymouth Flood & Coastal Erosion Risk Management Scheme Phase 1 is likely to be delayed due to a consultation on reforming the approach to floods funding. The successful tenderer, Knights Brown, has been appointed for the Harbour Walls F&G (Peninsula) project, but the contractual starting date will only be agreed once the Marine Licence is approved.

Designated Person Update

The committee received a report from James Hannon of ABPmer, the Designated Person (DP), regarding the Port & Marine Facilities Safety Code (PMSC). The Port and Marine Facilities Safety Code is a code that sets out a national standard for managing marine safety within harbour areas.

The PMSC was updated on 1 April 2025, and every three years, harbours are expected to confirm their compliance with the code to the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA).

The DP's role is to test the effectiveness of the harbour's Marine Safety Management System (MSMS). Lyme Regis was found to be fully compliant with the requirements of the code. The DP noted the provision and maintenance of Aids to Navigation and the Hydrographic Survey standard as areas of best practice. The PMSC audit identified 15 observations relating to improvement opportunities, which were reported to the Harbours Advisory Committee at the June meeting.

Marine Safety Plan

The committee reviewed the Dorset Council Harbours Marine Safety Plan 2025-2028, which is a requirement of the PMSC. The plan identifies and prioritises necessary improvements to achieve full PMSC compliance and sets out actions and a timetable for delivery.

Dorset Council Harbours Economic Review

The committee considered the scope for a planned economic review of the three Dorset Council Harbours. The review will assess the economic contribution, operational performance, and future opportunities of each harbour, informing strategic planning and investment decisions ahead of the next Harbour Business Plan review in 2029.

The proposed scope of the review includes:

• Economic Contribution
• Sector Analysis
• Infrastructure and Assets
• Market Trends
• Financial Performance
• Strategic Opportunities

Harbour Master Updates

James Radcliffe, Bridport and Lyme Regis Harbour Master, provided an update on harbour statistics, staff training and competency, Harbour Consultative Group meetings, the Harbour Revision Order, and harbour works.

Key updates included:

• Statistics for both harbours were provided, with Bridport seeing a large increase in customers paying per day with day launches, and Lyme Regis seeing an increase in season ticket use. Both harbours have seen an increase in visiting boat nights.
• Staff training courses have been completed in areas such as JCB Telehandler, Abrasive Wheel, and Slinger Banksman.
• The Black Hut in Bridport Harbour is undergoing complete renovation, with plans to have it rebuilt and a kiosk ready to open by March/April 2026.
• A new fuel delivery service has been started in Lyme Regis, with customers being very pleased with the service.
• ABPmer have been commissioned to re-take photos to be used in forming a baseline habitat survey for dredging.
• Both harbours have started newsletters, which have been well received.

Ed Carter, Dorset Harbours Manager & Weymouth Harbour Master, provided an update on Weymouth Harbour, including marina berths, commercial berths, harbour operations, incidents, oil spills and response, the Weymouth Harbour Revision Order, the Love Your Harbour campaign, marine litter recycling, and harbour works.

Key updates included:

• Marina occupancy during August was 92.4%, comparable to the 2024 season. There has been a decline in demand for larger berths and an increase in demand for smaller berths.
• Available commercial berths remain at almost 100% let.
• The summer of 2025 has been generally positive for recreational ports across the UK, with favourable weather conditions.
• The new Fish Landing Quay has seen plenty of use, with the chilled catch stores being utilised predominantly by vessels sending catch to the Brixham Fish Market.
• The 2025 National Surf Life Saving Competition took place on Weymouth Beach in early August.
• A new listening post has been installed on the harbour side at Weymouth as part of the Children of WWII audio drama project led by Nothe Fort.
• The Weymouth Harbour Revision Order consultation concluded on 31 July with no objections and no actions.
• The Weymouth & Portland Marine Litter recycling facility has diverted over 12.25 tonnes of marine-related waste from landfill.
• Investigation works are planned at Cousens Quay car park to investigate changes in the surface level.
• The planned repair to the Town Bridge is set to be pushed to early 2026.
• HMRC has approved the application for RCDO status for the Weymouth Quay Fuel Pontoon.

Weymouth Harbour Consultative Group Update

Councillor Rob Hughes, Chair of the Harbours Advisory Committee, reported on the Weymouth Harbour Consultation Group (WHCG) meeting held on 20 August 2025.

Key points from the WHCG meeting included:

• The marina occupancy was 92.4%, comparable with last year, with a decline in demand for larger berths and an increase in demand for smaller berths.
• There had been 40 incidents reported since the last meeting, 40% being vessel related, 17% crime and theft, 28% anti-social behaviour, and several instances of people jumping into the harbour.
• The Weymouth Harbour Revision Order had completed consultation in July, and no objections or actions were raised.
• The 'Love Weymouth Harbour' campaign had been launched to raise awareness of the environmental impact of littering.
• The Weymouth and Portland Marine Litter Facility had concluded its second year and had made a significant impact on the level of litter in the harbour.
• Cosens Quay car park was being investigated to determine the cause of the slump in the tarmac.
• A more thorough investigation was being planned to determine the scope of deterioration and to understand the remaining lifespan of the sand jetty.
• The planned repair to the Town Bridge is set to be pushed to early next year.
• HMRC had given their approval for the Weymouth Quay Fuel Pontoon, and the fuel would now be available on demand rather than self-serve.
• The Town Council were looking at potential options to replace the rafts.
• The Environment Agency had carried out testing of the bathing quality of the water, which resulted in higher levels than last year, which would put bathing quality at poor.
• A Commercial Fishermen representative raised an issue of obstruction of the ice store by trailers and vehicles on the slipway.
• A Harbour Traders Association representative raised an issue around cars being illegally parked for long periods of time.

Forward Plan

The committee reviewed the forward plan for the period September 2025 – December 2025.