The Cowes Harbour (Constitution) Revision Order 2001

• Citation: S.I. 2001/2183
• Sections: 41

Section 1 Citation and commencement

(1) This Order may be cited as the Cowes Harbour (Constitution) Revision Order 2001 and shall come into force on 18th June 2001.

(2) The Cowes Harbour Acts and Orders 1897 to 1989 and this Order may be cited together as the Cowes Harbour Acts and Orders 1897 to 2001.

Section 2 Incorporation of section 60 of the Commissioners Clauses Act 1847

Section 60 of the Commissioners Clauses Act 1847 shall be incorporated with this Order.

Section 3 Interpretation

In this Order—

“the Commissioners” means the Cowes Harbour Commissioners or, in respect of any period prior to the new constitution date, the Commissioners for the Harbour of Cowes;

“the new constitution date” means 1st July 2001.

Section 4 Constitution of Commissioners

(1) On and after the new constitution date, the Commissioners for the Harbour of Cowes shall be known as the Cowes Harbour Commissioners and shall, subject to article 7 below, consist of—

(a) nine persons appointed by the Commissioners; and

(b) the Chief Executive for the time being of the Commissioners.

(2) Each Commissioner appointed under paragraph (1)(a) above shall be a person who appears to the Commissioners to have special knowledge, experience or ability appropriate to the efficient, effective and economic discharge by the Commissioners of their functions including in particular (but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) special knowledge, experience or ability in one or more of the following matters—

(a) water related leisure activities;

(b) shipping or other forms of transport;

(c) financial management;

(d) the laws relating to England;

(e) safety or personnel management;

(f) commercial marketing or information technology;

(g) environmental matters affecting harbours; and

(h) any other skills and abilities considered from time to time by the Commissioners to be relevant to the discharge by them of their functions;

and the Commissioners shall secure, so far as reasonably practicable, that the Commissioners appointed by them will, between them, have special knowledge, experience and ability in a broad and complementary range of matters relevant to the efficient, effective and economic discharge by them of their functions.

(3) In making an appointment under paragraph (1) above or article 9 below, the Commissioners shall act in accordance with any guidance issued by the Secretary of State from time to time with respect to the exercise of such functions.

Section 5 Appointment and terms of office of first Commissioners

(1) The first appointments under article 4(1)(a) above shall be made on, or as soon as reasonably practicable after, 18th June 2001.

(2) The Commissioners shall appoint the person who is, at the date when they make the first appointments under paragraph (1) above, the chairman of the Commissioners to be one of the first of such appointed Commissioners and he shall hold office as a Commissioner from the new constitution date until 30th April 2004; and on and after the new constitution date shall be the chairman of the Commissioners.

(3) Of the remaining first such appointed Commissioners—

(a) three shall hold office from the new constitution date until 30th April 2002;

(b) three shall hold office from the new constitution date until 30th April 2003;

(c) two shall hold office from the new constitution date until 30th April 2004;

as the Commissioners shall specify when they make each of those appointments.

Section 6 Terms of office of subsequent Commissioners

A Commissioner appointed under article 4(1)(a) above (other than a Commissioner appointed under article 5 above) shall, unless appointed to fill a casual vacancy and subject to articles 8 and 10 of, and paragraph 10 of Schedule 2 to, this Order, hold office for a period of three years from 1st May next following his appointment.

Section 7 Power to co-opt additional Commissioners

The Commissioners referred to in article 4(1) above may at any time co-opt not more than two persons to serve as Commissioners for such period not exceeding twelve months as the co-opting Commissioners may specify at the time of co-option.

Section 8 Declaration to be made by Commissioners

No person shall act as a Commissioner until he has made the declaration set out in Schedule 1 to this Order (or a declaration to that effect); and a person shall cease to be a Commissioner if he fails to make that declaration within three months of the date of his appointment.

Section 9 Casual vacancies

(1) A casual vacancy arising in the office of a Commissioner appointed by the Commissioners shall, unless it is not reasonably practicable to do so, be filled by the appointment of a Commissioner by the Commissioners in accordance with article 4(2) and (3) above.

(2) A Commissioner appointed to fill a casual vacancy under this article shall, subject to articles 8 and 10 of, and paragraph 10 of Schedule 2 to, this Order, hold office during the remainder of the term for which the Commissioner whom he replaces was appointed.

Section 10 Disqualification of Commissioners

If the Commissioners are satisfied that a Commissioner—

(a) has without the permission of the Commissioners been absent from the meetings of the Commissioners—

(i) for a period during which three such meetings have been held; or

(ii) for a period of three consecutive months,

whichever of these periods is the longer; or

(b) has become bankrupt or made an arrangement with his creditors; or

(c) is incapacitated by physical or mental illness from discharging the functions of a Commissioner; or

(d) is otherwise unable, unwilling or unfit to discharge the functions of a Commissioner;

the Commissioners may declare his office as a Commissioner to be vacant and thereupon his office shall become vacant.

Section 11 Indemnity insurance for Commissioners

The Commissioners may enter into, and pay premiums for, a contract of insurance to indemnify the Commissioners jointly or severally against personal liability arising from any act or omission of the Commissioners or of any of them; not being an act or omission which the Commissioner or Commissioners in question knew to be a breach of his or their duty or, concerning which, he or they were reckless as to whether it was such a breach.

Section 12 Incidental provisions relating to Commissioners

On and after the new constitution date the provisions of Schedule 2 to this Order shall have effect with respect to the Commissioners.

Section 13 Publication of Commissioners' annual statement of accounts

As soon as reasonably practicable after their annual statement of accounts is prepared, the Commissioners shall—

(a) make available a copy of the statement for a period of three months at the offices of the Commissioners for inspection free of charge by members of the public and shall, subject to the payment of a reasonable charge, supply a copy of the statement to any person who requests to be supplied with a copy; and

(b) send a copy of the statement to the Isle of Wight Council.

Section 14 Borrowing powers

(1) Subject to paragraph (2) below, the Commissioners may from time to time borrow upon the security of their assets for the time being or of their revenues or both their assets and their revenues, by any methods they see fit—

(a) such sums of money as they think necessary not exceeding three million pounds (or that sum as adjusted in accordance with article 16 below); and

(b) with the consent of the Secretary of State, such further sums of money as they may require.

(2) In calculating the aggregate sums of money borrowed by the Commissioners under paragraph (1) above, there shall be excluded any sums borrowed for the purpose of repaying within twelve months of the date of borrowing any sum for the time being outstanding by way of principal on any amount previously borrowed.

(3) Moneys borrowed by the Commissioners under this article shall be applied only to purposes to which capital money is properly applicable.

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (3) above, but without prejudice to the generality of that paragraph, purposes to which capital money is properly applicable shall be deemed to include—

(a) the payment of any interest, falling due within five years immediately following the date of borrowing, on any sum of money borrowed by the Commissioners under this article; and

(b) the repayment, within twelve months from the date of borrowing, of any sum for the time being outstanding by way of principal on any amount previously borrowed.

Section 15 Temporary borrowing powers

The Commissioners may borrow temporarily, by way of overdraft or otherwise, such sums of money as the Commissioners may require but the total amount outstanding at any one time of money so borrowed shall not exceed six hundred thousand pounds (or that sum as adjusted in accordance with article 16 below).

Section 16 RPI adjustment of borrowing limits

(1) On each anniversary of the new constitution date the sums mentioned in articles 14(1)(a) and 15 above shall be adjusted in line with any movement (calculated to one decimal place) in RPI which occurred during the year ended on 31st December immediately preceding the anniversary in question.

(2) Any adjustment referred to in paragraph (1) above, shall be recorded in the next following annual statement of accounts prepared by the Commissioners.

(3) In paragraph (1) above, “RPI” means the general index of retail prices for all items published in the monthly publication of the Office for National Statistics known as “Monthly Digest of Statistics”, or any successor from time to time of that index.

Section 17 Advisory bodies

(1) The Commissioners shall establish one or more advisory body or bodies which the Commissioners shall consult on all matters substantially affecting the management, maintenance, improvement, conservation, protection or regulation of the harbour and its navigation.

(2) The Commissioners shall make arrangements for every such advisory body to meet not less than twice a year.

(3) The Commissioners shall take into consideration any matter, recommendation or representation which may from time to time be referred or made to them by such an advisory body whether or not that advisory body has been consulted by the Commissioners on the matter, recommendation or representation so referred or made.

(4) The advisory body or bodies established pursuant to this article shall consist of such number or numbers of persons appointed by the Commissioners as the Commissioners shall from time to time consider appropriate.

(5) Appointments to an advisory body established under this article shall be made by the Commissioners in accordance with a scheme prepared by them for that purpose and the scheme shall provide for the appointment of persons who, in the opinion of the Commissioners, are representative of persons having an interest in the functioning of the harbour.

(6) Any such advisory body may determine its own quorum and procedure and shall appoint a chairman.

(7) An individual member of any such advisory body may, on giving notice in writing to the chairman of that body, send a substitute to any meeting of the body.

(8) A member of such an advisory body shall hold office for the period of three years from the date of his appointment and at the end of that period shall be eligible for reappointment.

(9) A member of such an advisory body may resign his office at any time by notice in writing given to the chairman of the Commissioners.

(10) In this article, “the harbour” means the harbour of Cowes and Cowes Roads as defined in section 3, of the Cowes Harbour Order 1931 .

Section 18 Repeals and revocations

On the new constitution date the enactments mentioned in the first and second columns of Schedule 3 to this Order (which include spent enactments) shall be repealed or revoked to the extent specified in the third column of that Schedule.

Section 1

There shall be a chairman of the Commissioners who shall be appointed by those of the Commissioners who are appointed under article 4(1)(a) or 9 above from among their number.

Section 2

The first chairman appointed under article 5(2) above shall, subject to paragraph 7 below, and unless he resigns his office as chairman or ceases to be a member, continue in office as chairman until his initial term of office as a Commissioner has expired.

Section 3

Subject to paragraph 7 below, every chairman subsequently appointed under paragraph 1 above shall, unless he resigns his office as chairman or ceases to be a Commissioner, hold office for a period of three years.

Section 4

There shall be a vice-chairman of the Commissioners who shall be appointed by those of the Commissioners who are appointed under article 4(1)(a) or 9 above from among their number.

Section 5

The first vice-chairman holding office after the new constitution date shall be appointed as soon as practicable after that date and, subject to paragraph 7 below, shall, unless he resigns his office as vice-chairman or ceases to be a Commissioner, continue in office as vice-chairman until his initial term of office as a Commissioner has expired.

Section 6

Subject to paragraph 7 below, every vice-chairman subsequently appointed under paragraph 4 above shall, unless he resigns his office as vice-chairman or ceases to be a Commissioner, hold office for a period of three years.

Section 7

If those of the Commissioners who are appointed under article 4(1)(a) or 9 above are satisfied that the chairman or vice-chairman should cease to hold his office as such, they may terminate his office as such and appoint another Commissioner to be the chairman or vice-chairman during the remainder of the term for which the former chairman or vice-chairman was appointed.

Section 8

(1) On a casual vacancy occurring in the office of chairman or vice-chairman of the Commissioners, the vacancy shall be filled by those of the Commissioners who are appointed under article 4(1)(a) or 9 above at a meeting held as soon as practicable after the vacancy occurs.

(2) A Commissioner appointed under this paragraph to fill a casual vacancy in the office of chairman or vice-chairman shall, unless he resigns that office or ceases to be a Commissioner, hold that office during the remainder of the term for which the chairman or vice-chairman whom he replaces was appointed.

Section 9

(1) The first meeting of the Commissioners after the new constitution date shall be convened as soon as practicable by the Chief Executive for such date as he may fix; and he shall make arrangements for notice of that meeting to be sent by post to each of the other Commissioners.

(2) The Commissioners shall meet at least six times in every year.

Section 10

A Commissioner (other than the Chief Executive) may resign his office at any time by notice in writing given to the chairman of the Commissioners or, if that Commissioner is the chairman, the vice-chairman.

Section 11

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Schedule, a vacating Commissioner shall be eligible for reappointment as a Commissioner unless he has been disqualified from office under article 10 above.

(2) A vacating appointed Commissioner shall not be eligible for reappointment as a Commissioner where, immediately before the date in question, he has held office for three consecutive terms unless he is the chairman of the Commissioners.

(3) A chairman of the Commissioners who is an appointed Commissioner shall not be eligible for reappointment as a Commissioner where, immediately before the date in question, he has held office as a Commissioner for four consecutive terms.

(4) For the purposes of this paragraph, “term” does not include—

(a) a term referred to in article 5(3)(a) or (b) above;

(b) the remainder of a term during which the Commissioner was appointed to fill a casual vacancy under article 9 above; or

(c) any term served by the Commissioner prior to the new constitution date.

(5) In this paragraph “appointed Commissioner” means a Commissioner appointed under article 4(1)(a) or (b) above.

Section 12

(1) A chairman of the Commissioners shall not be eligible for reappointment as the Chairman where, immediately before the date in question, he has served as chairman for three consecutive terms.

(2) For the purposes of this paragraph, “term” does not include—

(a) a term served by the Commissioner as chairman under paragraph 2 above where that term is less than 3 years;

(b) the remainder of a term during which the Commissioner was appointed to fill a casual vacancy in the office of chairman under paragraph 8 above; or

(c) any term served by the Commissioner as chairman prior to the new constitution date.

Section 13

The Commissioners may, consistently with their duties and subject to such conditions as they think fit, delegate any of their functions (other than the functions set out in subparagraphs (a) to (f) of paragraph 9B of Schedule 2 to the Harbours Act 1964 ) to a committee of the Commissioners.

Section 14

The acts and proceedings of the Commissioners, or of any committee of the Commissioners, shall not be invalidated by any vacancy in their number or by any defect in the appointment, or the qualification for appointment, of any person as a Commissioner, or as chairman or vice-chairman, of the Commissioners or committee.

Section 15

The quorum required for a meeting of the Commissioners shall be five.

Section 16

(1) If a Commissioner has any interest, direct or indirect—

(a) in any contract or proposed contract to which the Commissioners are or would be a party or is a director of a company or body with which the contract or proposed contract is made or proposed to be made; or

(b) in any other matter with which the Commissioners are concerned,

he shall declare that interest.

(2) If a Commissioner is present at a meeting of the Commissioners or of any committee of the Commissioners at which a contract or other matter in which he has an interest is to be considered he shall—

(a) as soon as is practicable after the commencement of that meeting disclose his interest;

(b) not vote on any question with respect to that contract or matter; and

(c) withdraw from the meeting—

(i) at any time if the Commissioners present by resolution require him to do so; and

(ii) while a decision on that contract or matter is being made.

(3) This paragraph shall not apply to any interest—

(a) which a Commissioner has in respect of the payment to the Commissioners of harbour dues;

(b) which arises in respect of the provision of harbour services or facilities affecting the trading community in general;

(c) which a Commissioner has as an employee of a public utility undertaking or as a shareholder, not being a director of a company, unless he possesses more than five per cent of the issued share capital of that company; or

(d) which the Commissioners present at the meeting by resolution declare to be too remote.

Section 17

The person for the time being holding office as vice-chairman shall have and may exercise in the absence or incapacity of the chairman all the functions of the chairman.

Section 18

If at any meeting of the Commissioners neither the chairman nor the vice-chairman are present the Commissioners present at the meeting shall choose one of their number to be the chairman of the meeting.

Section 19

(1) Every question at a meeting of the Commissioners or of a committee of the Commissioners shall be decided by a majority vote of the Commissioners present and voting.

(2) If at any meeting of the Commissioners or of a committee of the Commissioners there is an equality of votes on any question the chairman of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote which he may exercise for or against the status quo.

Section 20

(1) The application of the seal of the Commissioners shall be authenticated by the signature of the chairman of the Commissioners or some other Commissioner authorised by the Commissioners to authenticate the application of the seal, and of the Chief Executive of the Commissioners or some person authorised by the Commissioners to act in his place in that behalf.

(2) The Commissioners may authorise a person to act instead of the Chief Executive under this paragraph whether or not the Chief Executive is absent or incapable of acting.

(3) Any notice, licence or other document given or issued by the Commissioners shall, unless the contrary intention is expressed, be sufficiently authorised if signed by the Chief Executive of the Commissioners or a duly authorised officer of the Commissioners.

Section 21

The Commissioners may pay to the chairman and other Commissioners such salary, allowances and expenses as the Commissioners from time to time determine.

Section 22

Subject to the provisions of this Schedule, the procedure and business of the Commissioners and of any committee of the Commissioners shall be regulated in such manner as the Commissioners may from time to time determine.

Section 23

The Commissioners shall appoint a Chief Executive and such other persons as from time to time they think necessary or desirable for and incidental to the performance of their functions and pay to them such remuneration as the Commissioners think fit.