Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors Gethin Williams (Barmouth Harbour Consultative Committee) Mandy Williams-Davies (Cabinet Member - Economy), Cllr. Brian Bates (RNLI). 

To receive any declaration of personal interest.

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

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 12 November 2015.

Submitted:     Minutes of a meeting of the Aberdyfi Harbour Consultative Committee that took place on 12 November 2015.

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

2.1       MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

(a)          Item 5 (a) – Visitor Figures in Aberdyfi

An apology was given that the above figures had not been included within the report before the committee and an assurance was given that they would be circulated to Members in the next few days.   However, in the meantime, the following figures were noted:

2014 - 53 boats visited Aberdyfi

2015 - 18 boats visited Aberdyfi

It was further noted that the weather had been very unfavourable and it was hoped that there would be better weather this season.    Thanks was also given for the information pack provided by Members to visitors and they would try to encourage mariners to visit the different harbours within the County.

(b)       Control of Personal Watercraft

It was not anticipated that it was possible to have more control of the Leri river area, despite having a discussion with relevant officers from Natural Resources Wales.   However, it was trusted that control could be improved from the Harbour authority side through the appointment of an officer to assist the Harbour Master who would be operational on the water during the main summer holiday period.  

In response to a query from the Chairman regarding what action could the Harbour Master take to deal with the control of personal watercraft, it was explained that the Harbour Master had statutory powers but did not have the right to issue on the spot fines, however if there was evidence of any misuse of the rules then they could be prosecuted.  It was further noted that the Police gave good support in such cases. 

(c)          Maintenance   

Mr Desmond George reported that he was continuing to discuss the design of a purposeful winch for use by boats that are launched and land near the Yacht Club.   The Maritime and Country Parks Officer thanked him and once any information was received it would be forwarded to the engineer in order to consider the possibility as part of the wider scheme for the quay wall.   The best option would be for the winch to be located in one place and not as part of a vehicle or mobile winch. 

(ch) Movement of Sand

It was reported that the sand removal work had been completed during the last few weeks and work was proceeding at the same time to remove sand from the car park and promenade. 

In response to a concern highlighted regarding sand, Mr Paul Fowles noted the following:-

By artificially extending the dunes by 4 metres up to the car park sea defence steps and blocking the small levee that runs behind the sand hill, which floods each Spring Tide, would allow the dune system to move east to south east without the needs of controlling devices such as a stockade.  However, obliquely oriented beach  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

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

Submitted:     The report of the Maritime Officer, Mr Barry Davies, on activities in Aberdyfi Harbour with specific reference to the following:-

(A) Port Marine Safety Code

Members were reminded that safety elements and risk assessments were vitally important to the Harbour Service and the safety code belonged to Harbour users and Committee Members and Harbour staff depended on them to submit their observations.   It was noted that the Safety Code was a live and voluntary document.  An audit would be received from the Coastguard Agency Policy Department to discuss the way forward and to receive feedback from the Coastguard Agency Policy Department.  It was noted that it was important that the code should comply with the requirements of the harbour, especially smaller harbours such as in Gwynedd and that it should not become too bureaucratic.    

Resolved:       To accept and note the above.

(B) Navigation and Moorings

It was reported that the aids to navigation had worked well while accepting that the Channel had changed.   The contractors were currently working in Porthmadog but would move to Aberdyfi within the next few days.  

Reference was made to 4 notices:

·         The Fairway Buoy's lamp was not working

·         Buoy Numbers 1 and 3 were off station 

·         Buoy Number 2 was off station 

It was anticipated that not many boats would visit the Harbour during the Easter holidays since it was early this year.   It was noted that a yellow light had been installed on the Harbour internal buoy.  In addition, it was noted that the Harbour boat had been launched for the season.

In response to the above, a member noted that it was clear where the Harbour started and the Aberdyfi Boat Club wished to thank the Harbour Master for his work.

It was further noted that the beach zone buoys would be in place by the end of May.  Inspections had been undertaken by Trinity House and a meeting took place recently where concern was expressed regarding the administrative element of the buoy removal provision.

It was confirmed that the moorings would be installed during the next few weeks by the local contractor and it was emphasised that every mooring owner was required to have an appropriate certificate.    It was further confirmed that the appropriate certificates were in order by the contractor and in accordance with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance.

In response to concern regarding the changes in the channel and consequently the reduction in the space available for boats to moor, the Maritime and Country Parks Officer noted that it had to be accepted that some boats would not be able to go back to the same location and the location would have to be adapted to the type of boat in terms of length and depth, etc.

It was asked if it was possible for the Harbour Master to take photographs in order to compare how things had changed over the years.  In response, it was explained that the Mark Roberts company was undertaking investigations for the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To note that the next meeting of the Aberdyfi Harbour Consultative Committee will be held on 11 October 2016 subject to confirmation by the full Council.  

Resolved:       To request that the Members’ Support and Scrutiny Officer specifies a date in early November for the next Harbour Consultative Committee, rather than the 11 of October 2016 as approved recently by the Full Council, as this date was rather early in the season.