By Isle of Wight Observer
The Cowes Harbour Advisory Committee stakeholder representatives met on Friday ( July 3), to hear about and discuss several proposals, including an idea to combine Cowes Harbour Commission (CHC) and Cowes Town Waterfront Trust (CTWT), a potential application by CHC to the Charity Commission to register as a charity, and the requirements for a modernising Harbour Revision Order.
The aim of these proposals is to assist the continuing development of Cowes Harbour as a thriving port, a centre for leisure sailing, an events venue and tourist destination. The meeting of the stakeholder advisory committee for Cowes Harbour is the first phase of a comprehensive consultation process with all the stakeholders of both organisations, including customers and local communities.
Cowes Harbour Commission’s Chairman David Riley said: “We believe the proposed combination of these two important Cowes organisations could assist our joint vision and help to develop a long-term plan for Cowes Harbour in partnership with our community and stakeholders to maximise the harbour’s potential and its vital central leisure and yachting gateway. The proposed new Trust would continue to keep safety as our top priority but would also ensure that the potential new charitable status would operate proactively, raising and delivering funds into public benefit projects, to improve access and enjoyment of the harbour and adjoining waterfronts on both banks of the Medina.”
Jeremy Dale, Chairman of Cowes Town Waterfront Trust, the charity which owns and operates Cowes Yacht Haven, commented: “Both existing organisations are run for the public benefit and return financial surpluses back to our local communities and stakeholders. The idea is that, by combining our two organisations, we should be stronger together and more effective at providing and developing our leisure, yachting, visitor and event services for our customers, whilst also continuing to deliver our charitable objectives for our local community and for the enjoyment of current and future generations.”
Cowes Harbour Commission and Cowes Town Waterfront Trust are keen to understand your views and comments on this initial stakeholder consultation and exciting proposals for the future of the harbour and waterfront.
Islanders and interested parties are invited to read more details on the proposals, which are available here.
