Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Louise Hughes, Councillor Robert Williams (Barmouth Town Council), Robert Aeron Williams (Barmouth Destinations Improvement Group (BRIG)) and Councillor June Jones (Porthmadog Harbour Committee Representative). ⁠ ⁠

To receive any declarations of personal interest.

The Chair, Councillor Rob Triggs, noted that his son who works as an Assistant Harbourmaster would present part of item 4 of the Harbourmaster's Report in the Harbourmaster's absence.   As a result, it was decided that the Vice-chair, Councillor Eryl Jones-Williams, would chair this section of the item.  This was not a prejudicial interest and therefore he did not withdraw from the meeting.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting of the Barmouth Harbour Consultative Committee held on 24^th October, 2023.

The Chair signed the minutes of the previous meeting of this Committee held on 24 October 2023, as a true record.

To submit a report by the Senior Harbours Officer.

To note and accept the report.

The following reports were presented, and members were invited to give feedback on their content and to ask questions.

a)       The Senior Harbour Officer's report, giving a brief update to the committee on harbour matters for the period from October 2023 to March 2024.

Attention was drawn to the following matters:

Moorings and Boat Registration

It was noted that the Harbourmaster would inspect the river before Easter to check the location of the aids to navigation and determine where to locate visitor moorings in the harbour. It was reported that customers wishing to have a mooring in the harbour, or register their powerboats were expected to complete the online process via Cyngor Gwynedd's website.

Port Marine Safety Code

It was noted that the Port Marine Safety Code was regularly reviewed by the service and they continued to comply with the Code. 

Staffing Matters

It was reported that the Harbourmaster and the Assistant Harbourmaster continued to work from the Barmouth harbour office. ⁠In addition, the service had appointed Nicola Salt as a full time Beach Officer; the Beach Officer would be based in Barmouth harbour and would work along the coast between Barmouth and Aberdyfi. It was noted that Math Roberts had been appointed in the North and he would be working along the coast in the Porthmadog area. 

Financial Matters

The Maritime Service Officer referred to the table in the report that summarised the financial position and had been categorised into five main headings. It was noted that the figures were based on a financial review with the accountants in November and forecasted expenditure from November until the end of March 2024. 

Details were given on the headings and it was noted that the Employees category mainly included staff wages. An overspend of a little over £3,500 was anticipated in this category in the current financial year.  It was explained that this was mainly due to overtime payments to staff who had had to work additional hours because of matters arising such as emergency incidents.  

It was noted that the Property heading involved general maintenance costs of the building and the grounds surrounding the harbour. It was detailed that there was a little overspend here. New doors had been installed on the diesel store and a new window on the harbour building as well as other additional costs. It was noted that this was not unusual given that the buildings were getting older, and they needed maintenance.  

The Transport heading was mentioned and it was confirmed that this heading did not include costs involving the maritime vehicle. This heading referred specifically to the harbour patrol boat namely the Powercat and boat fuel; it was noted that this underspend was £500. 

It was noted that there was an overspend of nearly £12,000 under the heading Services and Supplies due to significant costs during the year because of the service having to buy two new aids to navigation for the harbour. In addition, the Service had to buy lighting, equipment and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To consider matters at the request of the Members.

Notice Board

The Maritime Service Manager had received a question from the Councillor for Arthog and Llangelynnin asking about the two wooden noticeboards that used to be on the footpath at Friog. It was asked why they had been removed from the path and whether there were plans to replace them and when. The Maritime Service Manager noted that the noticeboards had been removed as part of the service's maintenance work. ⁠

⁠He explained that it was intended to paint them but both of these had deteriorated and it was considered that there was no point in repairing them. It was reported that there was an intention to create new ones and the application had been made but the manufacturer was running late. He added that it was originally planned to reinstall them by Easter but it was now hoped that they would be back up in their proper position by Whitsun.  ⁠ ⁠

Boat at Friog

The second question from the Councillor for Arthog and Llangelynnin was about the small boat wreck at Point Penrhyn. Concern was raised that the boat remained there despite various complaints. It was asked whether there was an intention for it to be removed.  ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠

The Maritime Service Manager reiterated that the situation has been ongoing for some time and that the service had been in communication with the boat owner. It was noted that the service had given the owner various opportunities to make arrangements to remove the vessel, but unfortunately the owner had not taken the appropriate action. It was accepted that the Local Member was receiving complaints and that the situation regarding the boat 'Lady Anne' was frustrating as it looked very unsightly on the site. Although there was no pollution to the water, it was acknowledged that many negative comments had been received about this. ⁠ ⁠ ⁠

It was reported that harbour staff had posted a notice on the boat since last week and the service had powers to remove the boat under the relevant act. It was explained that the owner had 30 days to make arrangements to remove the boat, otherwise the harbour authority would make arrangements with a local contractor to remove it. It was noted that there were significant costs involved but it was hoped that a reimbursement would be received from the boat owner in due course. ⁠ ⁠

Harbour staff were asked to let Committee members know if there was an update and if a contractor had to be used. It was believed that the Council had the legal powers to obtain a reimbursement if necessary. The service was asked to update the Chair and that it was important to share any development.  ⁠ ⁠

Membership

⁠It was noted that Co-opted Member John Johnson no longer represented the Barmouth and Cardigan Bay Sea Fisheries Association on the Committee. Additionally Co-opted Member Martin Parouty would also not continue on the Committee as he had left the Barmouth Harbour Users Group, which had since ceased to exist. It was thought that there was a need  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To note that the next meeting of the Barmouth Harbour Consultative Committee will be held on 22^nd October, 2024

22 October 2024.