Agenda and minutes

To elect a Chair for 2017/18.

RESOLVED to elect Councillor Hefin Underwood as Chair of this Committee for 2017/18.

To elect a Vice-chair for 2017/18.

RESOLVED to elect Councillor Peter Read as Vice-chair of this Committee for 2017/18.

To receive any apologies for absence.

David Dewsbury (Pwllheli Marina Berth Holders’ Association), W. A. Partington (Association of Maritime Traders) and Councillor Ioan Thomas (Cabinet Member - Economy 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.

A member referred to the need to hold a meeting to discuss the condition of the site of the former Sailing Club. In response, the Maritime and Country Parks Officer noted that there was a need to look at the Glandon Headland in its entirety, however it should be considered whether or not the Glandon Headland was within the remit of this Committee. The Senior Economy and Community Manager noted that the service would be happy to hold a meeting to discuss the matter.

The Pwllheli Sailing Club and Plas Heli representative noted that no complaints had been referred to Plas Heli regarding the condition of the site of the former Sailing Club. He noted a concern about the condition of the Glandon car park and that Plas Heli was prepared to take part in discussions regarding improving the site.

The Chairman will propose that the minutes of the meeting of this committee, held on 21 March 2017, be signed as a true record.

The Chair signed the minutes of the previous meeting of this Committee, held on 21 March 2017, as a true record.

To submit a report by the Maritime and Country Parks Officer.

The Senior Manager – Economy and Community referred to the Dredging Strategy and noted that Alan Williams (Coastal Engineering UK Ltd) had been commissioned together with Gwynedd Consultancy to look at the options in terms of strengthening the Crib Groyne and reducing the sediment.

A presentation was given by Alun Williams providing details about his work in assessing and reviewing the Crib Groyne. He drew attention to four possible options and an estimate of the cost involved, namely:

1.    Minimum maintenance of the existing structure (£10-15,000);

2.    Higher level maintenance and reinstatement of the existing structure (£35-40,000);

3.    Vertical extension/encasement of the existing structure using a combination of (a) crib steelwork or (b) sheet piling and rock armour (£125-135,000 (a) or £225-240,000 (b)); or

4.    Encasement of the existing structure in rock armour (£140-150,000).

The following considerations were highlighted in terms of the options:

·         Both options 1 and 2 require minimal intervention and will provide some but little in the way of improved performance compared to existing conditions;

·         Options 3 and 4 by virtue of both increased elevation and improved robustness and integrity will reduce both transmission through and movement over the structure; however

·         Over a ten year period, the present value of costs of these options was likely to be higher than continued practice of dredging and removal; and

·         Options 1, 2 and 4 were the most flexible in terms of adaptability in future arrangements.

Members were given an opportunity to provide observations and ask questions to the consultant, and he responded to them as follows:

·         In regards to increasing the length of the Crib Groyne, increasing the length of the Crib Groyne had not been included in his brief and more detailed work in term of modelling, assessing the impact and environmental considerations would need to be done. He noted that work needed to be done in the short term;

·         Could possibly consider moving the trailing arm more to the left when assessing long term options;

·         That using heavy rock armour or pre-fab concrete structures to reinforce, rather than a steel structure and moving the trailing arm so that it can enter deep water, was something to consider.

·         Agreed that option 3 would only prevent the situation from deteriorating for a period, but was presented as not to rule it out as a possible option;

·         Annual maintenance was a financial burden and therefore a study of the long term options was needed in regards of the Crib Groyne and to also consider moving the direction of the other arm.

The Senior Manager Economy and Community noted that the service was eager to implement a short term solution in the coming months. He added that a long term solution would be a 2-3 year process, therefore, it was necessary to implement a short term solution that would not restrict the possible long term options.

The Pwllheli Marina Berth Holders' Association Representative noted that it should be considered to increase the length of the Crib Groyne gradually in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To elect observers to serve on the following -

a) Aberdyfi Harbour Consultative Committee

b) Barmouth Harbour Consultative Committee

c) Porthmadog Harbour Consultative Committee

It was reported that observer(s) needed to be elected to serve on the Aberdyfi, Barmouth and Porthmadog Harbour Consultative Committees.               

RESOLVED to elect Councillor Peter Read to serve as an observer on the Aberdyfi, Barmouth and Porthmadog Harbour Consultative Committees.

To note that the next meeting of the Pwllheli Harbour Consultative Committee will be held on 20 March 2018.

It was noted that the next meeting would be held on 20 March, 2018.