Agenda and minutes

To elect a Chairman for this Committee for the year 2016-17.

Resolved:       To re-elect Councillor Dewi Owen as Chair of this Committee for 2016/17.

To elect a Vice-chairman for this Committee for the year 2016-17.

Resolved:       To re-elect Councillor Anne Lloyd Jones as Vice-chair of this Committee for 2016/17.

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Mandy Williams-Davies (Cabinet Member - Economy), Mr Nick Dawson (Outward Bound), Mr Nigel Willis (Aberdyfi Boat Club), Mr Llŷr B. Jones (Senior Manager - Economy and Community)

To receive any declaration of personal interest.

No declarations of personal interest were received from any member present.

To receive and confirm the minutes of a meeting of the Aberdyfi Harbour Consultative Committee held on the 10 March 2016.

(Copy enclosed)

Submitted:     Minutes of a meeting of the Aberdyfi Harbour Consultative Committee that took place on 10 March 2016.

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

5.1 Matters arising from the minutes - Item 2.1 (c) Maintenance

Mr Desmond George reported that he was continuing to look into the design of a bespoke winch for use by boats that launch and land near the Yacht Club.

To receive and consider a report by the Maritime and Country Parks’ Officer.

Submitted:     The report of the Maritime and Country Parks Officer, Mr Barry Davies, updating the committee on Harbour management matters with specific reference to the following:-

(a)          The Harbour

·         It was noted that it had been a rather mixed summer as regards to the weather, however, the season had an excellent start at Whitsun when the beaches and harbours were extremely busy.    

·         24 boats had visited the harbour which was a fairly fixed figure.

·         There had been an increase in the number of powerboats and personal watercraft.

·         79 boats had registered on annual moorings and although this was a smaller number than in the past, it was a reflection of the economic position and he noted that there were 110 empty moorings in Hafan Pwllheli. 

·         However, Aberdyfi had the advantage of being able to attract visitors to the beach and to local activities.

·         That cooperation with the local contractor had improved this year and it was trusted that this relationship could be built upon.    However, further cooperation was required regarding the relevant mooring certificates.

·         In response to a query regarding advertising to attract more visitors, it was explained that there was no budget available and the Maritime Service had invested substantially in the past in magazines such as 'Practical Boat Owner', however, no additional value was seen from this.  It was further noted that Gwynedd benefited from the number of powerboats and personal watercraft and Aberdyfi slipway had not been designed for such an increase in the number of boats.  

·         An assurance was given that no problems had arisen with Personal Watercraft launching from Ynys Las this year and it was confirmed that harbour staff had spent more time out on the water.

(b)          Marine Safety Code

The Maritime and Country Parks Officer noted that he would send an electronic copy to Committee Members, and if Members did not have an email address they should inform him.   It was noted that the code was not statutory but was good practice.   Inspectors from a Harbour in Northern Ireland would inspect the code and it was trusted that they would talk with the Chair of this Consultative Committee.   An appeal was made for Members to state if they had any issues that caused concern.

Regarding the recent allegations regarding the disturbance of dolphins, an assurance was given that the Harbour master had discussed this with the Personal Watercraft owners and at the time they were not aware that they had caused any disturbance or harm.

In response to the Chair's request regarding insurance arrangements for powerboats and Personal Watercraft, it was explained that owners had to present evidence of insurance by submitting the information on registration forms.   It was further noted that persons between 16-18 years old could not drive Personal Watercraft, unless they had an appropriate qualification.     In terms of Personal Watercraft launching from the Leri, unfortunately Ceredigion had not adopted the same scheme as Gwynedd.

A Member noted that every Personal Watercraft did not cause concern and that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To note that the next meeting of the Aberdyfi Harbour Consultative Committee will be held on 28 February 2017.

Resolved:       It was noted that the next meeting of this Consultative Committee would take place on 28 February 2017.