Agenda and draft minutes

I ethol Cadeirydd ar gyfer 2018-19.

RESOLVED: to elect Councillor Dewi Owen as Chair of this Committee for 2018-19.

I ethol Is-Gadeirydd ar gyfer 2018-19.

RESOLVED: To elect Councillor Anne Lloyd Jones as Vice-chair of this Committee for 2018-19.

To receive any declarations of personal interest

The Chairman shall propose that the minutes of the previous meeting of the Harbour Committee held on March 22 2018 be signed as a true record.

The minutes of a meeting of the Aberdyfi Harbour Consultative Committee that took place on 22 March 2018 were submitted.

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

To consider any harbour safety matters.

The item was submitted by the Senior Harbours Officer, noting that it was an opportunity for the Committee to note any harbour safety matters or observations on the Harbour Safety Code. 

It was noted that the code had been the subject of discussions, and that the Sailing Club had held beneficial informal discussions with the harbours officers regarding safety matters.  It was added that Aberdyfi had been busy over the summer, but that no significant accidents or problems had been encountered.

To receive the report of the Senior Harbours Officer

(a)           Update on Harbour Management Matters

The Senior Harbours Officer submitted his report, noting the following main points:

-       That the number of boats on the moorings had reduced slightly in 2018, but that the figure was relatively static.

-       That the number of customers had reduced across Gwynedd harbours, which reflected the economic climate.

-       That 53 power boats had been registered in Aberdyfi in 2018, the same number as in 2017.  An increase had been seen in the numbers of power boats registered in Tywyn, from 9 to 14.

-       That the number of personal water crafts had increased across Gwynedd harbours, with an increase from 28 to 50 in Aberdyfi and from 3 to 6 in Tywyn.

-       It was emphasised that the Committee's members were welcome to discuss the Harbour Safety Code with the service.

-       That summer 2018 had been a very busy period, but it was saddening to report that the number of cases of abuse against officers had increased.

-       The service hoped to employ an additional full-time harbour assistant for Porthmadog, Aberdyfi and Barmouth harbours, subject to the funding available.

-       It was expected for harbour fees to increase in line with inflation in 2019, with a small underspend anticipated in the harbours budget.

Questions and observations arising from the discussion:

-       Disappointment was noted as power boat fees were expected to increase

-       That the power boat launch area was very inconvenient and muddy, and that it would be beneficial if another slipway could be used.

-       Concern that the number of mooring occupancy had reduced, and the risk that Aberdyfi Harbour was possibly being left behind.

In response, the Senior Harbours Officer noted:

-       That the current power boat launch area was the safest location.  Whilst acknowledging that it was an inconvenient site, it was a safe site and no money was available for improvements.

-       That the level of mooring occupancy had reduced across the United Kingdom, and he noted that Barmouth Harbour had seen the largest reduction in Gwynedd. Mooring users tended to move to harbours where better facilities were available. It was possible to consider improving the facilities of Aberdyfi Harbour, however, caution would be needed to avoid harming its character.

(b)          Harbourmaster's Report

The Harbourmaster submitted his report, noting the following main points:

-       That Aberdyfi Harbour had been inspected by Trinity House on its safety and navigation arrangements, and it was found that appropriate arrangements were in place.

-       That the course of Aberdyfi Harbour navigation channel had narrowed and had moved northwards. This had caused a lot of adaptation work in order to aid navigation and ensure its safety. Emphasis was placed on the importance of contacting the harbour's office in order to obtain up-to-date information about navigation safety. 

-       That maintenance work had been carried out, and he asked for observations on the maintenance programme scheduled for the winter of 2018-19.

-       That safety signs had been placed in Tywyn and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To note that the next meeting of the Aberdyfi Harbour Consultative Committee will be held on 5 March 2019

The Committee's next meeting was scheduled for 5 March 2019 at Neuadd Dyfi, Aberdyfi.