Venue: Y Ganolfan, Porthmadog, Gwynedd. LL49 9LU. View directions
Contact: Bethan Adams 01286 679020
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APOLOGIES To receive any apologies for absence. Minutes: Councillor Mandy Williams-Davies (Cabinet Member for Economy). |
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DECLARATION OF PERSONAL INTEREST To receive any declaration of personal interest. Minutes: No declarations of personal interest were received from any members present. |
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URGENT BUSINESS To consider any items which are urgent matters in the opinion of the Chairman. |
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The Chairman will propose that the minutes of the meeting of this committee, held on 12 October 2016, be signed as a true record. Minutes: The Chairman signed the minutes of the previous meeting of this
Committee, held on 12 October, 2016, as a true record. The representative of the RNLI referred to support by members to the
carrying out of a safety inspection of the areas of the Glaslyn estuary and
Black Rock Sands and to a subsequent talks about how the situation could be
improved using existing resources. The Maritime and Country Parks Officer had
confirmed that he would contact the RNLI in relation to the safety inspection.
He expressed his dissatisfaction that this had not taken place and that the
Officer had stated in January that officers from the service would complete the
safety inspection. He noted that he had emailed the Senior Manager - Economy
and Community Department but had not received a response. The Chairman highlighted the fact that this was a Consultative Committee
and, as such, there was no necessity on officers to act. The Senior Manager – Economy and Community Department noted that he
appreciated the observations of the RNLI representative and accepted his
concerns. He noted, because of the scarcity of resources and the likelihood of
not being able to implement risk mitigating measures, that they were avoiding
carrying out a high number of inspections. He emphasised that the Council
welcomed partners' input, including the RNLI, and cooperated with the institute
in mitigating risks at Barmouth. He apologised that the representative had not
received a response to his email and that he would give the email due
consideration. In response to an observation by a member that it would be useful to
have the RNLI's input with regard to Porthmadog, the Senior Manager - Economy
and Community Department stated that the Service prioritised according to risk. The member expressed his disappointment that the RNLI's input was not
sought as regards the inspection of the Glaslyn estuary and Black Rock Sands
areas, noting that the Council could consider the matters highlighted by the
Institute and prioritise actions to mitigate the risks. The Maritime and Country Parks Officer noted that the Service did take
the opinion of the Consultative Committee into consideration. It was reported
that experienced officers from the Service had carried out an inspection and
were, consequently, in the process of installing more signs in the area as well
as revising information leaflets given to beach users emphasising the risks at
the North Bank. The RNLI representative noted that the institute wished to continue
collaborating with the Service and offered the same assistance at Porthmadog as
was provided at Barmouth and Tywyn. He added that he acknowledged that expertise
existed within the Service but that he was dissatisfied that the Maritime and
Country Parks Officer had not contacted the RNLI having confirmed at the
previous meeting that he would do so. In response, the Maritime and Country Parks Officer stated that a risk
assessment of the Morfa Bychan area had been completed by the RNLI two years
previous, and it was not considered timely to revisit. |
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UPDATE ON HARBOUR MANAGEMENT MATTERS PDF 150 KB To submit a report by the Maritime and Country Parks Officer. Additional documents:
Minutes: The Maritime and Country Parks Officer guided the members through the
report, drawing attention to the following main points: ·
No observations had been
received relating to the Marine Safety Code since the previous meeting. · The Service had expected an
inspection to be carried out by an inspector from the Coastguard Agency in
January. However, lack of capacity meant that the inspection has not taken
place and the Service was waiting the inspection to be re-arranged. It was
anticipated that the inspection would take place in September 2017. ·
A detailed inspection
would be conducted by Trinity House Lighthouse Authority inspectors on 31 July
2017. It was anticipated, on account of recent investments, that the report
would confirm the continued improvement of the condition and stations of the Porthmadog Harbour Aids to Navigation. ·
Two Mariners’ Notices
were in operation at Porthmadog Harbour. The notice
for Buoy Number 1 (Sandbank) was up to date - it was not on station (notice no.
10). Buoy aid No. 3 (notice no. 9) was also off station and mariners were being
warned to navigate with care in this area until the aids had been re-located to
their correct stations. Trinity House had been informed of the situation at Porthmadog via the PANAR system, in keeping with
requirements. ·
The Porthmadog
Harbour navigation channel had changed significantly over the past few weeks,
particularly in the Cwt Powdwr area. It was noted
that the Service regularly inspected the channel at low tide in order to try to
ensure that the aids to navigation were in the most suitable locations. The
constant shifting of the channel made it difficult to ensure that the aids were
in their correct positions. · As reported in the previous
meeting, the Harbour Assistant's employment period had been extended to the end
of December 2016 in order to ensure support and continuation of the service across
the County. It was noted that the period of employment had been further
extended to the end of March 2017 on a three day a week arrangement. It was
reported that the Harbour Assistants' positions would be advertised for the
period of 1 April 2017 to 30 September 2017. ·
A boat that had been
abandoned near Ballast Quay had been secured and moved to the slipway area. It
was noted that the Service would contact the owners and inform them of the
intention to sell or dispose of the boat unless it was removed from the Harbour
during the next two months. It was noted that if members were aware of any
projects wishing to take on the boat, they were to contact the Service. ·
The budgetary situation
up to the end of January 2017, noting that it was anticipated that the income
target would not be met for the financial year. · That a new Powercat
boat would be located at Porthmadog. · That the draft fees for Porthmadog Harbour for the 2017-18 financial year had been submitted at the previous meeting. The intention to increase fees by an average ... view the full minutes text for item 5. |
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DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING To note that the next meeting of the Porthmadog Harbour Consultative Committee will be held on 11 October 2017. Minutes: It was noted that the next
meeting would take place on 11 October, 2017. |