Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Councillor Elin Hywel (Local Member), Councillor Gwilym Jones (Observer, Porthmadog Harbour Consultative Committee), Jenny Moss (Pwllheli Marina Berth Holders Association), Councillor Richard G Roberts (Local Member) and Stephen Tudor (Pwllheli Sailing Club 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 meeting of this committee, held on 18^th October, 2022 be signed as a true record.

The Chair signed the minutes of the previous meeting of this Committee held on 18 October 2022 as a true record.  At the previous meeting, an urgent matter was raised regarding the Dinas Dinlle Air Ambulance Site, and it was agreed to send a letter of concern in the Committee's name.  A reply had been received confirming that discussions were on-going, however, by now further confirmation had been received that an extension of three years had been approved.  The Committee was asked to write once more when there is another consultation to implore them to keep the current arrangements as any different arrangement would be detrimental to the area.  It was agreed to keep the Committee in the picture regarding any developments or further communication.  

To submit the report of the Hafan Pwllheli and Harbour Commercial Manager

To note and accept the report and agree that the Cabinet Member raises the issue of the New Legislation around Personal Water-craft with the Local Government Association.

Reference was made to the report created by the Pwllheli Hafan and Harbour Commercial Manager, and it was reported as follows:

1.1           Port Marine Safety Code

The Committee was reminded that Barry Davies (Maritime Services Manager), would be retiring on 31/3/23 and that he had been crucial to maritime work and the Hafan for over 27 years. The Committee noted its wish to write to him on his retirement to thank him for all his work.

1.2           Dredging the Channel

It was confirmed that the work was proceeding to dispose of half the material, and there was no detrimental impact on the Holiday Park by undertaking this.  It was confirmed that the work would continue until the end of the month and that a hydrographic survey had been undertaken.

In response to a question whether the groyne was working, it was confirmed that it continued to be a very challenging situation, but there would be an effort to remove 20,000 tonnes by the end of the month, and this would be something to be undertaken annually.

The Committee was reminded of the previous arrangement to take the sand to beaches such as Grugan, and it was asked whether this arrangement had come to an end?  It was confirmed that Natural Resources Wales (NRW) had responsibility for Glandon beach. Half had been sold and there was half in reserve, and YGC had submitted an application to move the sand to Grugan in the autumn.  Welsh Water own the land, and the challenge to keep the sand level down in the Harbour mouth continued.  It was confirmed that the Service was in a strong position to sell the sand now, and the hope was that it would be sold.

Dredging the marina basin was challenging, especially as the lagoon was full and reference was made to the Work Programme and discussions were afoot with NRW to look at placing the mud in the sea, however it was necessary to undertake the dredging work in October 2023. 

It was confirmed that the sand would be sold for £5.17 per tonne, contributing approximately £130,000 but £50,000 of this would go to the Crown Estate and it was agreed that it was necessary to correspond with the Crown Estate.  It was noted that there was an effort to get this at cost neutral, bearing in mind that dredging the mouth of the Harbour was £100,000 on its own, and was a huge challenge.  A solution was required regarding what to do regarding dredging, as there was a need for regular dredging without disrupting the use made of the Harbour.

It was asked what was in the lagoon, and the concern that it was not possible to take it to the quarry. It was confirmed that the regulations/standards had changed, and it was frequently tested, and Jones Brothers were looking to condense it, however the work to find a solution continued.  Consequently, it was confirmed that the sand was 2% too high to be placed on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To discuss The Future Arrangements of the Committee

To accept the views of the Full Council (at its meeting on 2/12/21) regarding the future arrangements for formal committee meetings.

Future arrangements were discussed and the wish of some to meet face to face was noted.   Reference was made to the views of the Full Council (at its meeting on 2/12/21) regarding the future arrangements for formal committee meetings and the viewpoint was accepted.

All were reminded by the Pwllheli Hafan and Harbour Commercial Manager should they need a chat that his door was always open or they could contact him by telephone or via e-mail.

To note that the next meeting will be held on 10^th October 2023 (subject to confirmation by the Full Council)

It was noted that the next meeting will take place on 10 October 2023 at 6.00pm.