Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Mr Brian Bates (RNLI), Mr Barry Davies (Maritime and Country Parks Officer) 

To receive any declarations 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 13 November 2018.

Submitted - Minutes of a meeting of the Aberdyfi Harbour Consultative Committee held on 13 November 2018.

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

To receive and consider 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:

-          He anticipated that the moorings contractors would install moorings in the harbour at the end of March and would issue a Moorings Quality Certificate to the Harbour master before any boat could be moored.

-          That the review of Gwynedd harbour safety arrangements had been conducted by the Coastguard and Maritime Agency.

-          That the post of full time assistant harbour master was about to be advertised, and it was proposed to have the new assistant harbour master in post by Easter.

-          He presented a report on the Harbour's budgets and noted that whilst there was an underspend when the financial report was produced at the end of February, this finance would be spent on completing the programmed work by the end of the financial year.

-          That the expenditure on grounds and buildings noted was spent on rent and maintenance around the harbour.  The Harbour master's office had been included here, and it was noted that the location of the office was being reviewed as the existing building did not meet with modern requirements.

Observations and questions arising from the discussion:

-          How many applications had been received for moorings?

-          Concern was noted that the process of appointing an assistant harbour master was slow, and the schedule was tight if it was proposed to appoint by Easter.

-          How had they managed not to spend any of the budget on boats and vehicles?

In response, the Harbour master noted that he estimated that 75 to 80 application forms had been received.  He would share the final number with interested Committee members when the number was available. 

The Senior Harbours Officer added that he shared the concern of committee members regarding the slow process of appointing an assistant harbour master, however, there had been interest in the post.  He noted that the costs of Harbour boats and vehicles came from other budgets and therefore had not been shown on the balance sheet. However, it was noted that the Harbour master's boat had been out of the water and repair work was required before it was safe to use, but there was no budget available to undertake this work until the next financial year. 

(b)       Harbour master's Report

The Harbour master presented 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 great deal of adaptation work in order to aid navigation and ensure safety.  Emphasis was placed on the importance of contacting the harbour's office in order to obtain current information about navigation safety. 

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

-  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To note that the next meeting of the Aberdyfi Harbour Consultative Committee is likely to be held on 12 November 2019.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Committee was scheduled for 12 November 2019 at Neuadd Dyfi, Aberdyfi.