Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

To elect Chair for 2025-2026.

DECISION

To elect Councillor Gwilym Jones as Chair for 2025/26

Councillor Gwilym Jones was elected Chair for 2025/26. ⁠ 

To elect Vice-chair for 2025-2026.

DECISION

To elect Councillor June Jones as Vice-chair for 2025/26.

Councillor June Jones was elected Vice-chair for 2025/26. ⁠ 

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor June Jones (Cyngor Gwynedd), Chris Fisher (Cricieth Lifeboat Institution), Desmond George, Robert Owen and Melfyn Edwards.

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.

      None to note.

The Chairman will propose that the minutes of the meeting of this committee, held on 04/03/25, be signed as a true record.

  The Chair signed the minutes of the previous meeting of this committee held on 04/03/25 as a true record.

It was noted that it was necessary to confirm the decision to elect the three new members noted in the 04/03/25 minutes with the Cabinet. It was expressed that this would be achieved by the 2026/27 period.

To submit a report by the Senior Harbours Officer.

DECISION

To note and accept the report.

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

(1)   The Senior Harbour Officer's report providing the Committee with an update on Harbour matters for the 2025/26 period.   

Performance Data

It was noted that moorings agreements in Porthmadog had now increased to 109. It was further noted that the figures for mooring agreements for the 2025 season compared favourably with previous years. Although there were variations between individual harbours, the overall figures had remained constant, which was positive. It was elaborated there had been an 8% increase in the number of mooring agreements in Porthmadog over the last three years.

It was noted that the Service kindly requested all suppliers and mooring holders within the Harbour to provide details of all vessels and their customers to the Harbour office as soon as possible.

It was noted that there had been a 10% increase in the number of powerboats registered with Cyngor Gwynedd this season compared to last year, rising from 2,141 to 2,362. The committee was reminded that powerboats were now registered on-line and were therefore not included in the overall budget, and the statistics related to the customers who came to the office to pay for daily launch fees only.

Feedback received about Porthmadog Harbour

It was noted that signs with 'QR Codes' had been positioned around the harbour to receive feedback from users about their experience of the harbour. It was noted that figures received for Porthmadog Harbour demonstrated an increase in the 'positive' feedback, along with the efforts made by the department to further improve the customer and visitor experience. It was explained that this feedback had been very useful in order to improve the service in the harbour.

Port Marine Safety Code

It was noted that the Port Marine Safety Code (PMSC) outlined the national standard for all aspects of port marine safety. The recent appointment of Mr Owen Morgan, Harbour Manager for Ceredigion Council, as our new 'Designated Person' was confirmed. It was elaborated that Mr Morgan would carry out the next inspection during the winter months and provide guidance to ensure that the harbour met the latest requirements of the PMSC. It was noted that the Cabinet Member for Economy and Community, Medwyn Hughes, had been appointed as the new ‘duty holder’

It was noted that continuous training and development opportunities were being offered to the maritime staff. It was announced that one member of staff had recently completed the 'Harbourmaster Diploma', while another member had started the latest 'UKHMA Harbour Master Certificate' course. They were wished every success with their professional development.

Due to the nature of their work, it was noted that harbour officers occasionally experienced abusive, threatening and aggressive behaviour. To ensure the safety of staff and the public, it was explained that officers now had to wear body cameras to provide them with protection and to record any incidents. It was noted that several cases of serious behaviour had arisen  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To note that the next meeting of the Porthmadog Harbour Consultative Committee will be held on 03/03/26.

   It was noted that the next meeting would be held on 03/03/26.