Agenda, decisions and minutes

To elect a Chair for 2023/24.

Councillor Robert Dewi Owen was elected as Chair of Aberdyfi Harbour Consultative Committee for the year 2023/24.

RESOLVED To elect Councillor Dewi Owen as Chair of the Committee for the year 2023/24.

To elect a Vice-chair for 2023/24.

Councillor John Pughe was elected as Vice-chair of Aberdyfi Harbour Consultative Committee for the year 2023/24.

RESOLVED To elect Councillor John Pughe as Vice-chair of the Committee for the year 2023/24.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Gwilym Jones (Porthmadog Harbour Consultative Committee) and Guy Shaw (Aberdyfi Rowing Club).

To receive any declaration of personal interest.

No declarations of personal interest were received.

To consider any items which are urgent matters in the opinion of the Chair.

None to note.

The Chair will propose that the minutes of the meeting of this committee, held on the 21^st of March 2023, be signed as a true record.

The Chair signed the minutes of the previous meeting of this committee held on 21 March 2023, as a true record.

To submit a report by the Senior Harbours Officer.

To note and accept the report.

The following reports were presented, and Members were invited to give observations on their content and to ask questions.

The Senior Harbours Officer's report, giving a brief update to the committee on harbour matters for the year ending March 2024. 

Moorings and Boat Registration

·        There had been 73 boats on annual moorings in Aberdyfi Harbour in 2023 and this was an increase of one boat compared to the number in 2022. It was hoped that this upward trend would continue in 2024, however the prevailing economic situation and in particular the current cost of living, remained a factor when trying to attract customers to the harbour. 

·        It was noted that most members of the public wishing to launch powered craft into the waters of the Gwynedd coast now registered their powered craft on-line, via the Cyngor Gwynedd website and 1269 powerboats and 1240 personal watercraft had registered in Gwynedd this season. 

Port Marine Safety Code

·        It was explained that the Port Marine Safety Code (PMSC) set out a national standard for every aspect of port marine safety and that its aim was to enhance safety for everyone who uses or works in the post marine environment.

·        It was noted that the Service regularly reviewed the Code for the harbours under its jurisdiction to remain in full compliance with the current requirements of the Code.

·        Members were reminded that it was essential, as part of the review process, that the Service received the comments and views of Consultative Committee Members on the suitability of the Port Marine Safety Code.

·        Reference was made to the incident in the estuary in March that involved three personal watercraft and a powerboat. It was confirmed that the Service was collaborating with the Police regarding the investigation to the incident's circumstances and this was in relation to potential offences disclosed under legislation that had recently come into force, the Merchant Shipping (Watercraft) Order 2023.

·        Concern was expressed about individuals who went out on the water without a certificate or appropriate training. It was asked whether it was possible for the harbourmaster to request evidence of certificates prior to them going out on the water? 

o   In response, it was explained that the Harbourmaster did not have any statutory enforcement powers to see certificates or insurance documentation.

o   It was noted that many people attended training and officers in the Harbour office were pro-active in encouraging people to attend training courses and an increase had been seen in the number of people who attended training courses.

·        In response to a question, asking whether it was possible to get the necessary statutory powers to see certificates, it was explained that the powers regarding this were in the hands of the Westminster Government. 

o   However, it was explained that new regulations had been introduced and a 'jet ski' now fell under the definition of a 'vessel' or 'boat'.  It was noted that this was a step in the right direction.

o   It was explained that the Council also had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To consider the following matters raised by members of this consultative committee:

·        Management plan for removal of sand from the harbour slipway.

·        An update on the condition of the slipway.

The management plan for sand removal from the harbour slipway

·        Concern was expressed about the sand collecting on the harbour slipway and it was noted that some residents were concerned that this may lead to a rise in water level that would then enter properties. It was noted that methods for sand removal should be considered before the problem worsened and led to problems in the village.

·        In terms of the management plan, it was explained that it would need to be cost effective so that it could be done on a regular basis. It was noted that vigilance was also needed and that the sand being washed away did not collect further down the channel and create sandbanks.

·        Thanks were given for the work of Yacht Club members who had been trialling the use of a pump to remove the sand. It was noted that from the photos this seemed to work.

·        It was noted that it would be beneficial to have cooperation between the Service and stakeholders on the matter and that a meeting would be arranged to discuss the benefits and concerns associated with the matter.

·        It was made clear that a wider discussion with Highways Department officers might be needed to see what the long-term solution was.

Update on the condition of the head of the slipway

·        Concerns had been raised about the step and sand that had collected at the bottom of the slipway and it was noted that the lifeboat was having difficulties launching at low tide and this could lead to delays in their response time and damage to the boat.

·        It was explained that several options had been discussed to place a structure at the bottom of the slipway to facilitate the lifeboat launch and that the Council had arranged for an expert to come and give his view on the best way forward. It was noted that the Council hoped to receive a report from him in the coming weeks to see the possible options.
 

The public footpath

·        Concern was raised about the impact of coastal erosion on the public footpath which ran from the cemetery, across the golf club to the beach and it was noted that the steps installed a few years ago were no longer usable. It was noted that action was needed before the sea further eroded the land.

·        It was proposed that some members of the Committee could arrange a meeting with the officers to go and see the situation and try to find a solution.

To note that the next meeting of the Aberdyfi Harbour Consultative Committee will be held on 12^th of March 2024.

It was confirmed that the next meeting would be on the 12 March, 2024.