Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Gareth Thomas, Llyr B. Jones (Assistant Head of Economy and Community Department), Councillor Bob Tyrrell (Aberdyfi Community Council), Will Stockford (Aberdyfi Harbourmaster).

To receive any declaration of personal interest.

None to note.

a)    To receive and confirm the minutes of a meeting of the Aberdyfi Harbour Consultative Committee held on the 2^ND March 2021.

b)    Matters arising

a.     The Chair signed the minutes of the previous meeting of this committee, held on 2 March 2021, as a true record.

b.    There were no matters arising from the minutes

To submit a report by the Senior Harbours Officer.

(1)   Resolved to note and accept the report.

(2)   Response to the Department of Transport's consultation paper 'Strengthening enforcement of the dangerous use of recreational and personal watercraft’ and this committee preferred option 3, namely creating legislation under section 112 of the Railways and Transportation Safety Act 2003 to extend the relevant provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, and relevant regulations, to include recreational and personal watercraft.

(1)   Resolved to note and accept the report.

(2)   Response to the Department of Transport's consultation paper ‘Strengthening enforcement of the dangerous use of recreational and personal watercraft’ that this committee preferred option 3, namely creating legislation under section 112 of the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 to extend the relevant provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, and relevant regulations, to include recreational and personal watercraft.

Update on Harbour Management Matters from the Senior Harbours Officer. He noted the main points as follows:

-    That 76 boats were on moorings compared to 47 in 2020. He reiterated generally, that Gwynedd harbours had seen an increase in the number of boats on moorings.

-    It was assumed that the increase was due to relaxing Covid-19 restrictions and the continued restrictions on travelling abroad.

-    He shared that the on-line registering procedure for power boats and jet skis was a success.

-    The total number of registrations was summarised at 1,308 and the total number of personal watercraft (jet ski) registrations at 1,302.

-    He noted that the Committee was aware that the service complied with the Port Marine safety code, and it was added that members should inform them regarding any comments.

An update on staffing matters was presented as follows:

-    It was noted that the staffing level had not changed since the last report and it was reiterated that the service was able to call on staff from Porthmadog or Barmouth if need arose.

-    Two beach wardens were appointed to assist with supervising the management of Aberdyfi's main beach and it was added that according to feedback from residents this was a success.

-    In relation to Committee matters, pride was noted in the support available for this Committee, and it was shared that there is currently a vacant post. He said there was a request from the RNLI to fill the post, and the members’ support was requested to ensure that the post was filled by the next meeting in the Spring.

Financial matters were presented by the Maritime Manager, who explained the Harbour’s financial situation by noting the budget, expenditure and actual expenditure and explained any overspend or underspend to the members.

He discussed the consultation document on strengthening enforcement of the dangerous use of recreational and personal watercraft. It was explained that the closing date of the consultation had passed, however a letter had been written to the Department of Transport in London noting the date of this committee and explaining that Gwynedd Council's comments would be shared following the Committee.

It was noted that 4 options were associated with the consultation with the preferred one being to revise the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 to extend the relevant provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, and relevant regulations, to include recreational and personal watercraft. It was explained that the Committees of other harbours had already decided to support this option. He added that there was no obligation to follow this option  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To submit a report by the Harbourmaster.

The report was presented by the Assistant Harbourmaster and he noted the main points on the action points as follows:  

-        In terms of navigation matters he noted that the channel changed often and was monitored throughout the season so as to make it possible to give warnings to mariners.

-        He explained that Trinity House had been to inspect and he noted that local contractors had completed the maintenance work on the navigation aids as asked.

-        In relation to action points, he noted that the end of Covid restrictions had resulted in a very busy Summer but the additional wardens were a big help.

-        He added that most of the visitors were respectful, however a few disrespectful experiences were recorded. He additionally noted that there was an increase in litter being left around the harbour and the beach.

-        He explained that there was an immense increase in Stand-up Paddleboards on the beach, and the wardens managed to advise the users on sea safety and to keep the channel clear.

-        He explained all the maintenance work that had taken place, for instance the cabins and the patrol boat.

The Maritime Manager added the following:

-        That recruiting for seasonal work was challenging and it was asked for the members to advertise any jobs within their wards or communities.

-        As a result of verbal abuse, the service had invested in CCTV cameras for staff to wear.

-        In order to deal with litter, mostly as a result of visitors crabbing, he noted that collaboration was needed with the local shops that sell the equipment and to locate bins for plastic waste around the harbour.

-        He explained the quay wall situation and noted he understood the Committee’s frustrations as this had been a discussion point for years. However, he noted that the work had been re-tendered and that applications were being assessed by the YGC department.

-        He added that there would be communication with the members following the decision on the contract winners.

The information below was reported regarding the Picnic Island situation from an Outward Bound Trust representative:

-        It was noted that by the next committee a bridge would be in place or on its way. Network Rail were thanked for their support whilst the work was ongoing.

-        It was explained that local partners and Gwynedd Council were assessing the foundations in November and then the process of removing the old structure and replacing with a new one would commence.

-        In relation to costs, the Maritime Manager noted that the costs of steel for example had increased substantially and it was hoped that a formal tender would come within the budget.

During the discussion, the following observations were made by members:

-        It was questioned if there was a cost for the harbours service to deal with animal remains that get washed in by the sea.

-        It was expressed that many positive things had taken  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider matters at the request of the Members.

A member questioned the cleanliness of the river and asked for an update of the pollution to the Dyfi river.

A member noted that sand on the high street was a problem and reference was made to the previous Committee where this was discussed and it was resolved to not intervene as there was no money within the budget. 

A member added that this caused difficulties for the RNLI as there was sand on the slipway.

In response to the matters, the Maritime Manager noted the following points:

-    That Aberdyfi reached the essential requirements in terms of water hygiene according to Welsh Government.

-    It was added that if there was a risk to the quality of bathing water, that the Service received warnings from Natural Resources Wales and then advertised the warnings.

-    It was noted that if there were any pollution concerns deriving from specific locations, NRW should be notified immediately so the officers could investigate any allegations.

-    In relation to the sand, sympathy was shown towards the problem but he noted that the Service did not have sufficient funds to clean the slipway regularly and it was asked for the RNLI to put a programme in place to ensure the slipway was clear.

To note that the next meeting of the Aberdyfi Harbour Consultative Committee will be held on 29^th March 2022.

It was confirmed that the next meeting would be on 22 March, 2022.