Agenda item

To 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.

 

(a)  Alison Kinsey, Coordinator of Cardigan Bay Fisheries Local Action Group, who had requested to attend the meeting, was welcomed and she explained the purpose of FLAG (Fisheries Local Action Group).    The following main points were noted:-

 

·         That there were four groups operational in Wales for the purpose of supporting the fishing industry and communities:   St Dogmael's to Barmouth, Anglesey and Gwynedd, Swansea Bay and Cleddau to the Coast

·         That FLAG received European funding and approximately £160,000 was available until 2020 and it was trusted that this could be used to assist small community led projects.

·         That a strategy had been created based on local need

·         Priority was given to funding projects that: 

Ø  add value

Ø  create jobs

Ø  attract young people, and

Ø  promote innovation at all stages of the supply chain from fisheries products

·         Financial revenue support can be offered towards new projects such as:  

project development, pilot projects, feasibility studies, training, mentoring, facilitating and consultation.

 

Examples were given of the types of activities that could take place with FLAG assistance:

 

·         Seafood Festival on the quay

·         Seafood cooking competition between the chefs of local hotels

·         Send out a fleet of fishermen to sea to catch fish

·         Encourage the local school to take part in a seafood cookery competition

·         Working with a group of local fishermen to hold activities, etc. 

 

To conclude, the Coordinator explained that Mr Neil Storkey from Aberdyfi, worked closely with her and having a representative from Barmouth Harbour Consultative Committee would be advantageous to be part of future FLAG meetings.

 

In addition, reference was made to Cywain which was part of the Menter a Busnes projects developed to support the development of products and markets for agricultural and fisheries produce.  

 

During the ensuing discussion, the following points were highlighted by individual Members:

 

·         That Barmouth had excellent restaurants and it would be ideal to host a seafood festival on the quay

·         That the Cambrian group actively collected plastic material that is washed up onto the beach

 

It was proposed and seconded to nominate Cllr. Rob Triggs as a contact point from this Consultative Committee and the Coordinator promised to contact him directly with any further information. 

 

Resolved:       To approve the nomination of Councillor Rob Triggs to represent this Consultative Committee at FLAG group meetings in the area. 

 

(b)  The Chairman noted that it was not necessary for the Maritime and Country Parks Officer to guide Members through the contents of the report and he asked Members if they wished to raise or highlight any matters stemming from the contents of the report.     To this end, the following matters were highlighted from the report of the Maritime and Country Parks Officer

 

(i)    Sand Removal - after many years work to keep afon Ysgethin flowing, it appeared that the sand dunes were disappearing into the sea and Natural Resources Wales were not willing to do anything about this.  Unfortunately, due to not listening, the problem with sand clearance at Barmouth will get worse.   The above observations were supported by another Member and it was stated that the relevant departments should discuss the matter, and that Natural Resources Wales should be challenged.  

 

(ii)   Coastguard Agency -it was asked if the inspectors intended to visit Barmouth as they had not visited as part of the inspection due to time restrictions. 

 

In response, the Maritime and Country Parks Officer noted that although there was no specific reference in their report to Barmouth Harbour, the Safety Code was relevant to all Harbours and they were aware of what is happening in Barmouth. 

 

Attention was drawn to the intention of the inspectors to undertake yet another visit in the Autumn and they will attend the Porthmadog Harbour Consultative Committee with an opportunity for all Harbour Committee members to attend this meeting and there might be an opportunity for the inspectors to visit Barmouth. 

 

The Senior Manager Economy and Community added that the main purpose of the report was to investigate governance arrangements and harbour management. 

 

(iii)         It was asked if everyone had to pay the Crown Estates fee for the sum of £25.00 in addition to the mooring fee.

 

 

In response, the Maritime and Country Parks Officer confirmed that all moorings owners had to pay the above fee in every Harbour, including the Council’s moorings, except for Pwllheli Harbour as the cost for that harbour was £150,000 annually payable to the Crown Estate. It was added that it was not possible to challenge the fee as they could charge more if they wished, and that similar arrangements existed in other counties for many years now. 

 

(iv)  Thanks was given for the safety signage from the RNLI.  It was added that the signs would be erected in suitable places immediately and they could be erected in a short time. 

 

(v)          In terms of changing the date of the Motorcross event on Barmouth beach, as it conflicted with school half-term holidays and that Barmouth would be busy anyway and the car park full, it was understood from the organisers that it was difficult to move the date as they were limited to that date as a result of other competitions that occur throughout Britain.

 

During the ensuing discussion the following points were highlighted:

 

·         That one of the caravan shops intended to close during the above event, if it was on the same date as the half-term holidays, along with the Lifeboat Shop as it would be too busy and this meant they would have to keep control of their stock.     

·         The event was originally welcomed to Barmouth in order to extend the holiday season for the benefit of the local economy.

·         If the event did not come to Barmouth this would be a loss to the hotels and bed and breakfast establishments 

·         That it was intended to provide a questionnaire to local businesses to find out if the event benefited businesses.

·         Would it be possible to move this event to another weekend in November to coincide with Bonfire Night, however it was stated that Remembrance Sunday was on 10th November. 

 

Resolved:       To request that the Maritime and Country Parks Officer contacts Mr Tom Arnold, Motorcross Organiser to initially find out if it would be possible to move the event this year to another weekend and to suggest that it coincides with Bonfire Night; and secondly, if this is not possible, could they consider a date that will avoid half-term in 2019. 

 

(vi)  A Member noted that it was proposed to establish a Lifesaving Group and it was suggested that the Maritime Service should be notified when a meeting had been organised. 

 

(vii)        In the context of 'trot' moorings, the member of the Three Peaks Race Committee noted

that these moorings belonged to their Committee and there had been extended discussions in the past regarding their suitability.  It was noted that expensive boats had moored on them without any trouble.   The Three Peaks Race Committee were more than willing for the Council to use the moorings if they wished, following the race.  It was suggested that the local contractor and the Maritime Service should discuss the matter further to use one or two of the above moorings.   

 

It was understood from the Town Councillor that the Three Peaks Race Committee had recently submitted a financial application to the Town Council.  It was further noted that the Town Councillor had met the Senior Harbours Officer to discuss better use of the moorings and that another meeting was to be arranged.

 

(viii)       The Town Councillor noted that the Town Council had proposed to fund a small project  in the cemetery area to provide chains to allow launching.

  The matter would be discussed further with the Maritime Service.

 

(ix)         The Committee was given an assurance that moorings, where there are no forms for them, would be taken out during the summer.  

 

 

Resolved:       To accept and note the contents of the report of the Maritime and Country Parks Officer.