Issue - meetings

To submit a report by the Senior Harbours Officer.

To note and accept the report.

The reports were presented by the Maritime Services Manager and the Senior Harbours Officer.  Attention was drawn to the following main points:

It was confirmed that 81 boats had been on annual moorings in Aberdyfi harbour this year. This was noted as a slight increase on the previous year, where there were 72 annual moorings. It was hoped that this figure would continue to increase in the future.

It was explained that anyone wishing to register their powerboat did so through the Council's website. It was reported that 1013 powerboats and 1044 personal watercraft had been registered this season. It was also noted that 84 boats with engines below 10hp had been registered, i.e. a total of 2141 vessels for the season. It was recognised that this was 368 lower than the previous season, where there were 2509 registrations. The main factors for this reduction were considered to be unsettled weather and the current financial climate.

It was ensured that the harbour complied with the Port Marine Safety Code, which sets out a national standard for every aspect of maritime safety. It was noted that the Service was currently reviewing the Code to ensure compliance with recent statutory amendments. Members were encouraged to contact officers if they had any observations on what should receive consideration when adapting it.

Mr Thomas Walton, who had been appointed Assistant Harbourmaster since April this year, was welcomed. Gratitude was also expressed to the seasonal beach wardens who worked in Aberdyfi and Tywyn for the season. Particular attention was drawn to two officers who had contacted the Coastguard about a serious incident which was unfolding on the other side of the river. They were thanked for responding promptly and it was noted that there was a request for a Lifeboat commendation following the incident. It was announced that the Senior Harbours Officer had embarked on a retirement process and would finish with the service in early March 2025. He was thanked for all his work over many years and best wishes were conveyed to him for the future.

Members were guided through the harbour's financial performance for 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. The following main points were detailed, emphasising that it was a projection of the complete budget expenditure at the end of the financial year that had been shared, based on expenditure up to 31 August 2024, and that the situation could change if an emergency arose:

·       Employees – An underspend of £1,894 was anticipated in salaries and operational costs budgets due to the Assistant Harbourmaster taking up his role at a date later than 1 April 2024.

·       Property – An underspend of £10,333 was anticipated in this budget, which covered grounds maintenance, refuse collection, etc. It was explained that there was an underspend in the budget as there had been no significant costs thus far. ⁠

·       Transportation – It was considered that there would be an underspend of £218 in this budget by the end of the current financial year. It was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6