Agenda and minutes

To elect a Chair for 2018/19.

RESOLVED to re-elect Councillor Alwyn Gruffydd as chair of this Committee for the year 2018/19.

To elect a Vice-chair for 2018/19.

RESOLVED to re-elect Councillor Nia Jeffreys as Vice-chair of this Committee for the year 2018/19.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Councillor Ioan Thomas (Cabinet Member, Economic Development)

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.

The Chair noted that Barry Davies, Maritime and Country Parks Officer, was not present at the meeting as he was absent from work due to an injury. He was wished a speedy recovery.

A member expressed his appreciation of the staff's professionalism and resolve when faced with unacceptable behaviour from individuals during an incident on Morfa Bychan beach. This was reiterated, and the Committee's gratitude was noted.

Dr John Jones-Morris (Leisure Interests Representative) was congratulated on his appointment as Vice Commodore of Madoc Yacht Club.

The Chairman will propose that the minutes of the meeting of this committee, held on 7 March 2018, be signed as a true record.

The Chairman signed the minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 7 March 2018, as a true record.

To consider any harbour safety matters.

No matters relating to harbour safety were noted.

To submit a report by the Senior Harbours Officer.

The Senior Harbours Officer guided the members through the report and drew attention to the following main points:

·         In response to the Coastguard Agency's recommendations in its report on the safety arrangements and systems of Gwynedd municipal harbours in order to ensure compliance with the Ports' Safety Code, the Council Cabinet would be appointed Duty Holder and Captain M. Forbes (Conwy Harbour Master) as the 'Designated Person'.

·         The Coastguard Agency's inspectors had been due to revisit the service and give a presentation to the Committee on the Marine Safety Code. However, due to unexpected circumstances, the visit had been postponed until March 2019 to coincide with a meeting of this Committee.

·         The employment period of Porthmadog Harbour Assistant (seasonal) ended on 30 September 2018. To assist with the work of the harbour, the employment period had been extended on a three day a week arrangement, on a monthly basis.

·         Subject to financial and budgetary restraints, the service was examining the possibility of employing a full time harbour assistant to work at Porthmadog, Aberdyfi and Barmouth harbours. Otherwise, the Porthmadog harbour assistant post would return to work on a full time basis on 1 April 2019.

·         Reference was made to a summary of the harbour's budgets and current financial situation up to the end of the quarter.

·         In relation to Porthmadog Harbour's proposed fees and charges and the Personal Watercraft launch fees in 2019/20, the service intended to amend the fees in line with the rate of inflation. Confirmation of the rates to be used was awaited.

Porthmadog Harbour Master presented a report summarising the navigation and operational matters that had arisen during the period between March and September 2018, including maintenance matters and incidents during the period. He thanked the RNLI representative and Cricieth Lifeboat crew for their assistance in dealing with the catamaran ‘Jessica’s Day’ that sunk on the evening of 23 July.

The RNLI Representative noted that the Cricieth Lifeboat Crew had responded to three calls in relation to individuals who had encountered difficulties on the North Bank of Black Rock Sands beach, and had saved the lives of ten individuals. He emphasised the importance of installing the new safety signs as soon as possible. He referred to the intention to remove some of the signs during the winter months to minimise damage from the severe weather, and stated his concern. He noted that the risk did not reduce during the winter, with the possibility of incidents occurring over the period.

A member noted that action should be taken in accordance with the RNLI's guidance. In response, Porthmadog Harbour Master noted that the safety signs would be installed as agreed in consultation with the RNLI.

A member noted that the work undertaken as part of the Flood Mitigation Plan in Borth-y-Gest had been a topic of discussion. He explained that the wall that had been constructed was necessary to protect houses from future flooding. He noted that there was concern locally about the memorial benches and that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To note that the next meeting of the Porthmadog Harbour Consultative Committee will be held on 6 March 2019.

It was noted that the next meeting would be held on 6 March, 2019.