Agenda, decisions and minutes

To elect a Chair for 2020/21.

To elect Councillor Selwyn Griffiths as Chair of this committee for 2020/21.

RESOLVED to elect Councillor Selwyn Griffiths as Chair of this Committee for 2020/21.

To elect a Vice-chair for 2020/21.

To re-elect Councillor Nia Jeffreys as Vice-chair of this committee for 2020/21.

RESOLVED to re-elect Councillor Nia Jeffreys as Vice-chair of this Committee for the year 2020/21.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Alwyn Gruffydd, David Eastwood (Harbour Interests Representative) and Ian Roberts (Industrial Interests Representative).

To receive any declaration of personal interest.

No declarations of personal interest were received from any members present.

To consider any items which are urgent matters in the opinion of the Chairman.

No urgent items were received.

The Chairman will propose that the minutes of the previous meeting of this committee, held on 11^th March, 2020, be signed as a true record.

The Chair signed the minutes of the previous meeting of this committee held on 11 March, 2020 as a true record.

To submit a report by the Senior Harbours Officer.

The contents of the report were noted.

The reports below were presented, and members were invited to give feedback on safety matters and harbour operational matters.

(1) The Senior Harbour Officer's report, updating the committee on Harbour matters for the year ending March 2021.

Members were requested to send any observations on the Port Marine Safety Code to the service.

The Principal Maritime Officer noted that an estimate of the harbour budget from 1/4/20 to 31/3/1 had been sent very recently to members, and he gave details on the current situation and noting:- 

·         During the first lockdown the Council was required to consider reducing the fees and costs for mooring holders, as there was a balance to be struck between retaining future customers, or losing them completely to other harbours.

·         He wished to thank local members for the support given to reduce costs to customers by 30% during the period May-July last year.

·         That not charging any fee on customers was not an option at all during this period, as harbour maintenance costs continued.

·         The details of the individual budgets were as follows:-  

·         Due to the pandemic and the reduction in the number of boats moored in the harbour last year, that the harbour income was approximately £27,000 lower than the target for the year.

·         That the target at the end of the year, taking the income and expenditure into consideration, was that Porthmadog Harbour cost £19,000 for the ratepayers, but unfortunately, due to the lack of income, the difference was £37,000 as the harbour would have an overspend of approximately £18,000 this financial year.

·         This was the first time for many years for the service to report on such a serious financial position of the harbour, and 2021 was also likely to be a difficult year, bearing in mind the major uncertainty in the maritime industry.

·         The pontoons could assist the situation as they were there throughout the year.

·         Harbour Fees and Charges for 2021/22 had now been authorised by Council officers and leaders for publication. 

(2)     The Harbourmaster's report, summarising the navigational and operational matters that had arisen between October 2019 and March 2021, including maintenance matters.

The Harbourmaster noted that harbour staff wanted to send their best wishes to Councillor Alwyn Gruffydd, following his recent ill-health. The Chair agreed to send a message to the member, on everyone's behalf, members and officers, wishing his a full and speedy recovery.

The Harbourmaster further noted:-

·         The Fairway Buoy had gone out on station at the end of last week, and Buoy Number 2 had been replaced by Buoy Number 1, and Buoy number 3 replaced by Buoy Number 2.

·         That another transformer would arrive in 2023 and the Principal Maritime Officer had commenced discussions  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To note that the next meeting of the Porthmadog Harbour Consultative Committee will be held on 5th October, 2021, subject to confirmation by the Full Council.

It was noted that the next meeting would be held on 5 October, 2021.