Agenda and minutes

To elect a Chairman for this Committee for the year 2015-16.

Resolved:       To re-elect Councillor Gethin Glyn Williams as Chairman of this Committee for 2015/16.

To elect a Vice-Chairman for this Committee for the year 2015-16.

Resolved:       To re-elect Councillor Eryl Jones-Williams as Vice-chairman of this Committee for 2015/16.

Councillors Louise Hughes, Mandy Williams-Davies (Economy Cabinet Member), Cllr. Rob Williams (BRIG), Dr John Smith (Barmouth Viaduct Access Group), Mr Barry Davies (Maritime and Country Parks Officer).   

A declaration of personal interest was made by the following members for the reasons noted below:  

(i)            Cllr. Julian Kirkham – related to one of the Ferry operators

(ii)           Cllr. Gethin Williams – member of the Yacht Club

(iii)          Cllr. R. Triggs – member of the Yacht Club 

(iv)         Mr Mike Ellis – member of the Yacht Club

(v)          Mr Martin Parouty – Member of the Yacht Club and a commercial operator in the Harbour

(vi)         Mr John Johnson – a commercial operator in the Harbour

To confirm the minutes of a meeting of the Barmouth Harbour Consultative Committee held on the 19 March 2015.

Submitted:                   The minutes of a meeting of the Barmouth Harbour Consultative Committee held on 19 March 2015.

Resolved:                    To accept and approve the minutes as a true record. 

To receive and consider a report by the Maritime Officer, Mr Barry Davies.

Submitted:                 To members, during the meeting, a written report by the Maritime and Country Parks Officer, on activities in Barmouth Harbour. 

The Senior Harbours Officer read the report to Members and specific reference were made to the following:

(a)          Registration of Powerboats

In response to a query by a Member regarding registration of boats via alternative arrangements, it was reported that most of the registrations from caravan sites were referred to the Harbour Master’s Office and the risk assessments are undertaken by the Harbour Master and are reviewed by the Maritime and Country Parks Officer and / or the Senior Harbours Officer.  It was assured that everything was all in hand.

Resolved:       To accept and note the above.

(b)          Navigation

It was reported that works are ongoing on the navigational aids since there had been delays due to the local contractor having been away.  Two new buoys are in the process of being purchased as well as new lights and it was assured that the Maritime Service was anxious to get the navigational aids up to scratch since it is a priority from a health and safety aspect.  The Senior Harbours Officer stated that he hoped that the works will be completed within the next 2/3 weeks.  It was further noted that the bar buoy is exposed to the weather and the Maritime Service is in discussion with Hydrosphere with regard to a suitable type. 

The Barmouth Harbour Users Group representative queried as to why had the navigational aids been neglected for so long.  In response, the Senior Harbours Officer stated that since he had only been in post since February that he was not aware that they had been neglected.  The Chairman reminded the Committee that the Harbour Users Group at the last meeting of this Committee had congratulated the Maritime Service for the standard of the navigational aids.

The Senior Manager – Economy and Community stated that there is no easy answer as to the neglect of the navigational aids but it comes down to a number of factors.  Inspection of all Harbours’ navigational aids had been undertaken by Trinity House and in terms of Barmouth Harbour there were lessons to be learnt and hopefully these would be rectified in the near future.

With regard to lights on the buoys in poor condition and particularly last Saturday (10.10.15), the Harbour Master stated that the navigational aids had been brought in for repair and a notice to mariners had been issued to this effect (a copy of the notices were circulated to members during the meeting for information).  In terms of the Fairway buoy, the light had been turned up to its maximum, a new light was on order for the bar buoy and it was assured that the navigational lights would be in working order as soon as possible.

It was further stated that good buoyage channel is very important especially for the purpose of encouraging more people to visit the Harbour.

The Senior Manager –  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To receive verbal reports from appropriate officers on the following matters:

·         Vessels launching from Penrhyn Point – Insurance Status.  How is this monitored?

·         Sand deposition, continual siltation of sand and sediment

·         Navigation marks

·         The pontoon

·         Barmouth bridge - closure to pedestrians

(a)  Vessels Launching from Penrhyn Point – Insurance status.  How is this monitored?

Councillor Julian Kirkham took the opportunity, on behalf of Arthog Community Council,  of thanking the Maritime and Country Parks Officer for resolving the problems at Penrhyn Point in terms of litter bins, signage, etc. but there was still concern regarding launching from Penrhyn Point and particularly so without insurance.  It was requested if the Patrol Boat could undertake more routine checks. 

Resolved:                The Senior Harbours Officer ageed to discuss the matter further with the Harbour Master in respect of more visits to Penrhyn Point.

(b)       Sand deposition, accumulation and its removal 

The Senior Manager – Economy and Community was aware of the concern regarding sand accumulation particularly on the causeway.  It was true to state that numerous complaints had been received over the summer months and that the Maritime Service had endeavoured to deal with the situation but that it was a natural process.  A meeting had been arranged between the Chairman of this Committee, the Chief Executive of the Authority, and Gwynedd Consultancy, whereby it was acknowledged that there was a problem but that it was not easy to resolve.  Arising from the meeting, Gwynedd Consultancy had agreed to investigate options available in the long term.  The Barmouth Town Council had also raised concern over the matter and a site meeting had been arranged together with representatives from Natural Resources Wales who were also in favour of investigating long term options.  It is hoped that further local meetings will be held in order to ascertain local views.

Resolved:                To note and accept the above.

(c)  The Pontoon 

The Barmouth Harbour and Estuary Users Group expressed its thanks to the Council for the repair of the pontoon, a valuable asset to the harour which enhances its desirability as a port of call for visiting yachts.

The Senior Harbours Officer stated that there are a couple of issues with the pontoon which need to be rectified in terms of maintenance and re-inforcement, etc.

(d)    Barmouth Bridge closure to pedestrians

Resolved:                   That this matter should be referred to the ongoing Gwynedd Challenge regarding the continuation of paying the fee to Network Rail for the right for pedestrians, cyclists and motor cyclists to use the Barmouth footbridge.

To note that the next meeting of the Barmouth Harbour Consultative Committee will be held on 22 March 2016.

Resolved:       To note that the next meeting of this Consultative Committee be held on 22 March 2016.