Agenda and minutes

To elect a Chairman for this Committee for the year 2017-18.

Resolved:       To elect Councillor Dewi Owen as Chair of this Committee for 2017/18.

To elect a Vice-chairman for this Committee for the year 2017-18.

Resolved:       To elect Councillor Anne Lloyd Jones as Vice-chair of this Committee for 2017/18.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Ioan Ceredig Thomas (Cabinet Member - Economy), Cllr. Mike Stevens (Gwynedd Council), Mr Nick Dawson (Outward Bound), Mr Llŷr B Jones (Senior Manager Economy and Community)

To receive any declaration of personal interest.

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

To receive and confirm the minutes of a meeting of the Aberdyfi Harbour Consultative Committee held on the 28 February 2017.

Submitted:                   Minutes of a meeting of the Aberdyfi Harbour Consultative Committee that took place on 28 February 2017.

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

4.1 Matters arising from the minutes - Item 4 (d) (i) Quay Wall

The Chair noted his disappointment that an officer from Gwynedd Consultancy could not attend the meeting to give an engineering update on the developments with the quay wall work.  The Chair had attended a meeting recently with officers from the Gwynedd Consultancy Unit and he reported that from his understanding the latest position was that the estimate for the revised plans to re-develop the quay wall was £2.2m.  At present, approximately 75% of this cost could be found via grants and European funding, however there was a deficit of 25% that was equivalent to £500,000.  At the previous meetings the possibility of attracting a third party to contribute to the costs was discussed and it would be possible to discuss this further at the next meeting of this Consultative Committee. It was suggested that all Committee Members considered asking for possible financial support and that this information was highlighted to members of all the organisations represented on the Harbour Committee.  It was understood that concern had been highlighted by Natural Resources Wales regarding the intention to extend the existing structure out by approximately a metre seawards and this would have an impact on habitats, but it was understood that they were now satisfied with the amended plans.   It was further understood that the application would be presented and considered soon by the National Park Authority, namely the Planning Authority for Aberdyfi.

The Maritime and Country Parks Officer added that he would arrange for copies of the plans to be available for inspection at the Harbour Master's office and he would circulate notes updating on the process in the last few weeks.   It was noted that it would be challenging to find £500,000 and it was intended to look at every possible financial source.  

In terms of the time-schedule, it was trusted that the work could commence in April 2019.

During the ensuing discussion the following points were highlighted:

·         In terms of attracting a local contribution, it was felt that £500,000 was challenging and would it be possible for the Council to consider sources from tourism streams. 

·         That 2018 had been designated the Year of the Sea and there might be financial sources available from the Welsh Government.   

·         It had been agreed in the past that the quay was an important resource for Aberdyfi and especially to support businesses, RNLI etc.  

·         That Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas had recently been appointed as the Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport and it would be beneficial to have a discussion with him regarding any assistance that he could suggest.   

·         Doing nothing to renovate the quay wall was not an option, as it would fall into the sea, however the path to reach this aim was difficult.

Resolved:       (a) To accept  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

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)  Members were reminded that they needed to submit the constitution and minutes of the annual meeting of the organisations/institutions they represent on the Harbour Consultative Committee in order to ensure eligible membership of the Committee in accordance with the resolution of Gwynedd Council Cabinet in 2014.      The organisations who had not sent the relevant documents were as follows:  

·         Aberdyfi Improvements Committee

·         Cardigan Bay Sea Fisheries Association

·         Aberdyfi Boat Club

·         Dyfi Yacht Club

·         Aberdyfi Rowing Club

It was understood that Aberdyfi Partnership and Aberdyfi Chamber of Trade did not now exist.

Resolved:       To accept and note the above and these organisations were expected to forward the relevant documents to the Member Support Officer.  

(b)  In terms of the numbers of moorings in the Harbour there had been a reduction of one compared to 2016 with an increase in the number of personal water-craft.   The weather had been disappointing and this had had an impact on the harbours across the County, however, it was pleasing to note that boats from Conwy had visited Aberdyfi harbour and it was trusted that they would visit again in the future.

Resolved:       To accept and note the above.

(c)           Marine Safety Code

An inspection had been conducted by the Coastguard's Agency and stemming from their report reference was made to minor elements that needed to be addressed in Aberdyfi Harbour such as tidying up around the quay as effects and ropes had been stored on the quay in a way that may pose a risk.    The inspectors will visit the service in a year's time and the intention was to invite members of the Harbour Committees to one central meeting in order to receive information from the inspectors regarding the main issues of the Safety Code.  It was anticipated that the meeting would take place in Porthmadog.

During the ensuing discussion the following points were highlighted:

·         That Outward Bound collaborated well with Harbour staff with all activities.  

·         A wish to see moorings in the places where they were 15 years ago

·         In terms of safety, it was asked if there was any problem stemming from the use of personal water-craft. 

The Maritime and Country Parks Officer and the Harbour Master responded to the above as follows:

(i)            Whilst sympathising with the Yacht Club regarding a space in the estuary as a result of the installation of the moorings, it was explained that the channel was narrowing and the Harbour Master always did his best not to take too much space and the willing cooperation of the Yacht Club was appreciated at all times.   

(ii)           There had been an improvement in terms of problems with personal water-craft and once a national arrangement was accepted, a message could be sent out to all mariners 

Resolved:       To accept and note the above.

(ch)    Navigation

It was reported that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To elect observers to serve on the following -

a) Barmouth Harbour Consultative Committee

b) Porthmadog Harbour Consultative Committee

c) Pwllheli Harbour Consultative Committee

Resolved:     To elect Mr Dave Williams as an observer to represent Aberdyfi Harbour Consultative Committee on the following:

·         Barmouth Harbour Consultative Committee

·         Porthmadog Harbour Consultative Committee

·         Pwllheli Harbour Consultative Committee

To note that the next meeting of the Aberdyfi Harbour Consultative Committee will be held on 22 March 2018.

Resolved:       It was noted that the next meeting of this Consultative Committee would take place on 22 March 2018.