Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

To elect Chair for 2025-2026.

To elect Councillor John Brynmor Hughes as chair for 2025/26.

It was decided to elect Councillor John Brynmor Hughes as Chair for 2025/26.

To elect Vice-chair for 2025-2026.

To elect Councillor Elin Hywel as Vice-Chair for 2025/26.

It was decided to elect Councillor Elin Hywel as Vice-chair for 2025/26.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Gwilym Jones (Porthmadog Harbour Committee Observer) and Councillor Elin Hywel.

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.

It was explained that officers were aware of complaints about the litter found around the harbour area. It was noted that ensuring that litter was collected was part of the responsibilities of the Hafan and Harbour Manager but it was recognised that it was challenging to ensure that everything had been collected on all occasions. Assurance was given that every effort was being made to pick up litter on a weekly basis, noting that this happened more regularly if issues arose. Details were given of a specific example where a bicycle had been found in the corner of the harbour, which officers had attempted to collect it was confirmed, but that it could not be accessed safely at this time. Similarly, attention was drawn to a layer of metal material that had reached the harbour from the direction of Abererch and bound in mud. It was confirmed that these issues would be resolved as soon as possible and that officers were continuously monitoring the situations. The assistance of users and the public was sought to highlight any issue that required a response to the attention of the officers as soon as possible.

The Chairman will propose that the minutes of the meeting of this committee, held on 11/03/25, be signed as a true record.

The Chair signed the minutes of the previous meeting of this Committee held on 11 March, 2025 as a true record. 

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

Resolved:

1.     To accept the report, noting the observations made during the discussion.

2.     To receive a full presentation on dredging plans and impacts as part of the next meeting to be held on 10 March 2026.

3.     To hold an open evening in Hafan in March to discuss dredging issues and alleviate the concerns of service users and the public on those issues.

4.     To elect Councillor John Brynmor Hughes as the Committee's observer for the Aberdyfi, Porthmadog and Barmouth Harbour Committees.

An update on the management issues of the harbour was received from the Pwllheli Hafan and Harbour Manager.

Members were guided through the report detailing performance and customer satisfaction data issues.  It was detailed that a customer satisfaction survey would be shared with mooring holders very soon, confirming that the outcomes of the survey would be shared with Members at the next meeting of this Committee.

During the discussion, a number of comments were received about dredging issues in the Harbour. In response, the Manager confirmed that officers were currently preparing two marine licence applications to deal with scrutiny issues, in conjunction with Gwynedd Consultancy. It was elaborated that these permits would enable officers to pump dredged material out to sea as well as reclaim land. It was explained that different areas had been identified for this work and that work was underway to gather evidence for the licence application. It was noted that there was no assurance that all areas would receive attention until the feedback request would be accepted for the permit applications. It was acknowledged that there was currently no quick solution to dredging issues as the preparations to apply for these permits were underway until April 2026. It was detailed that the process of applying for marine licences was one that took approximately 12 months, due to the need to carry out various inspections. It was emphasised that harbour officials held regular meetings with Gwynedd Consultancy to ensure that this timetable did not fall behind. An update was given that feedback was expected quite soon following the submission of marine licence applications by Natural Resources Wales as officers were working closely with them throughout the application development process, to ensure that all necessary information was included and to streamline the process. In response to an enquiry, the Assistant Head of Economy and Community Department assured that this process of applying for marine licences in order to find a long-term solution would not have a detrimental effect on the regular dredging work already underway.

It was elaborated that the harbour entrance had been dredged earlier this year and that arrangements were in place for it to be dredged again in the period from January to March 2026. It was explained that officers were looking for areas where mud collected regularly, and were aware that this was currently happening near pontoon 11. Harbour users were thanked for informing officials of any area where mud was gathering. It was also noted that a detailed survey had been carried out in May to obtain detailed data on the condition of the channel, confirming that there were no apparent problems arising from the results of that survey.

In response to an enquiry into whether a proportion of the Harbour's profits were being retained in order to ensure that there was an adequate budget for effective dredging, the Assistant Head of Economy and Community Department confirmed that Cyngor Gwynedd's Asset Management Plan had ensured that £6 million had been earmarked for the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To note that the next meeting will be held on 10/03/26.

It was noted that the next meeting would be held on 10 March 2026.