Agenda, decisions and minutes

To elect a Chair for 2020/21

Councillor Hefin Underwood was elected as Chair of Pwllheli Harbour Consultative Committee for the year 2021/22.

RESOLVED to re-elect Councillor Hefin Underwood as Chair of this Committee for the year 2021/22.

To elect a Vice-chair for 2020/21

Councillor Peter Read was elected as Vice-chair of Pwllheli Harbour Consultative Committee for the year 2021/22.

RESOLVED to re-elect Councillor Peter Read as Vice-chair of this Committee for the year 2021/22.

To receive any apologies for absence

Apologies were received from Councillor Mici Plwm (Pwllheli Town Council)

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.

There were no urgent items.

The Chairman will propose that the minutes of the previous meeting of this committee, held on 15^th October, 2019, be signed as a true record

The Chair signed the minutes of the previous meeting of this Committee held on 15 October 2019 as a true record.  At the previous meeting, it was proposed to contact the Assembly Member, Dafydd Elis Thomas, to draw attention to Natural Resources Wales' strict regulations, along with obstacles in environmental legislation and policy preventing the construction of effective groynes.  It was confirmed that there had been contact with Natural Resources Wales who had referred back to the Act and the fact that it was compulsory to comply with it.

To submit a report by the Harbour Manager.

To accept the contents of the report and to note the observations detailed in the minutes.

A report was presented by the Maritime Officer and the Harbour Manager for the period from October 2019 to March 2021, and the following main points were noted: 

·         Outer Harbour Slipway

It was noted that there was a need to resolve the matter of the use of the slipway and the land management lease, with urgency. It was confirmed that the lease terms referred to the arrangements and that discussions were ongoing with the Local Member, the Chairman and the Service and it was agreed that Ifor Hughes would be consulted to keep him in the picture.

·         The Committee's Constitution

Representatives were reminded that they needed to submit their committee meeting minutes to this Committee, along with a copy of their constitution. This information was mandatory to ensure the Organisations could continue on the Committee.

·         Port Marine Safety Code

Two inspections had been held by the Marine and Coastguards Agency which had confirmed that everything was in order and that the Council was compliant with the requirements of the Safety Code. It was also confirmed that virtual inspection work had been carried out by the Conwy Harbour Master and that he, as the Designated Person, was also satisfied with the standard of the Code in Gwynedd.  It was noted that this would be reported to the Cabinet in due course.  Everyone was reminded of the need to report, at this Committee, of any safety concerns.

·         Dredging

It was noted that there was frustration regarding the dredging situation in light of issues related to Covid. It was reported that the Royal Smalls company would be undertaking the work in Pwllheli, following the same work contract as the one at Doc Victoria.  It was confirmed that the timetable had slipped, mainly as Royal Smalls was unable to permit its staff to travel due to Covid restrictions.  It was hoped that the work would commence in September 2021, meanwhile, the work to dredge the harbour mouth would commence in April 2021 through the contract that could possibly run for three years.

·         Hydrographic Survey

It was reported that the water depth in the marina basin was relatively good although it was shallower towards the harbour mouth. It was noted that the work to dredge the harbour mouth would be completed before the work on the navigation channel.  It was confirmed that the £270,000 for the work had been divided to 2/3 for Pwllheli and 1/3 for Doc Victoria, with a significant portion of the investment going to Pwlheli.  It was noted that there was disappointment that the work had not proceeded and there was concern regarding the possibility of losing depth in the channel and it was questioned whether there was another plan such as levelling the sea bed for the season?  It was confirmed that the work to dredge the harbour mouth would continue and the work to level the navigation channel would also begin soon.  Additionally, the need to consider and weigh up the sea bed level was noted  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To note that the next meeting of the Pwllheli Harbour Consultative Committee will be held on 12th October 2021.

It was noted that the next meeting would take place on 12 October, 2021 at 6.00pm.