To submit a report by the Pwllheli Harbour Manager.
Minutes:
The Maritime and Country Parks Officer noted that that he had been
absent from the work for a period of five weeks due to an injury, and that he
had returned to work the day before the meeting. He explained that the Harbour
Manager had drawn up the report and that he apologised that he was unable to be
present due to personal commitments. He noted that the Pwllheli Harbour Deputy
Manager was present to respond to enquiries.
The Maritime and Country Parks Officer guided the members through the
report, drawing attention to the following main points:
·
Following a review last
year by the Coastguard Agency, the inspectors would revisit the Council in
spring 2019. It was suggested that a follow-up review take place on the same
date as the meeting of the Porthmadog Harbour Consultative Committee, to which
all members of the Gwynedd Harbour Consultative committees would be invited,
and at which the inspectors would give a presentation on matters involving the
Port Marine Safety Code.
·
That the inspectors had
commented on the lack of width in the harbour's navigation channel.
Improvements would be made within the resources.
·
The need to review the
location of the navigational aids that were near the sea wall in order to
identify the most suitable location.
·
In terms of staffing
matters, following a review of staff at the Harbour, changes were made to the
hours of some posts to be in-keeping with working conditions. Consequently, no
staff were present at the beginning of the day or at the end of the day. No
complaints had been received thus far.
·
Reference was made to a
summary of the Harbour and Hafan's budgets and current financial situation up
to the end of the second quarter. The estimations given for the Hafan's final
budgetary situation, considering the income targets, were positive and the
officer was confident that they would be in line with what was noted.
·
In relation to the
Harbour and Hafan's proposed fees and charges in 2019/20, the service intended
to amend the fees in line with the rate of inflation. Confirmation about the
rates to be used was awaited. It was noted that a more detailed review of the
fees would be held during 2019, taking to account periods of less than a year,
such as 3, 6 or 9 months. Any change in the current regime would be in
accordance with a financial risk assessment.
·
That he was disappointed
that the number of berth holders were falling at the Harbour and the Hafan, but
that this was in line with the trend at all harbours/ He noted that he was
confident that the numbers would increase as a result of the investment made in
the dredging work.
·
A number of national and
international events had been attracted and held at Pwllheli by Plas Heli Cyf.
Plas Heli Cyf was congratulated, and it was noted that the service's staff
collaborated with the company for the benefit of the community.
The Pwllheli and
District Boat Owners Association representative drew attention to the fact that
there was very little difference in the total fuel sold at the Hafan in the
current financial year, considering the weather. He elaborated that fuel could
only be paid for with card at the Hafan, not with cash. The possibility of
introducing self-service machines should be investigated.
In response, the
Maritime and Country Parks Officer noted that arrangements were in place to
install a self-service facility for a petrol pump at the Hafan's Petrol Quay.
The diesel pump would continue to be an attendant only service for the time
being, due to the legislative requirement for customers to fill in a statement
when buying red diesel.
The Plas Heli
representative shared a document that showed the Crib Groyne in its original
form. He noted the need to extend it substantially in order to divert materials
to Abererch beach. The Economy and Community Senior Manager noted that repair
work to the Crib Groyne had been included in the Dredging Strategy. He
explained that environmental modelling work would need to be completed if it
was intended to extend it and, due to the time and costs associated with this,
the necessary repair work would be carried out.
The Maritime Traders Association representative noted that the channel
was shallow and much narrower compared to its original form. He added that it
was difficult to bring boats in and out near his business, especially when the
tide flowed across.
In response to a comment that there was no light on a scaffold tube post
at the harbour entrance, the Maritime and Country Parks Officer noted that it
was intended to make an application to Trinity House to remove the mark.
A member asked
when the Service would be able to keep a portion of the budget rather than
transferring it to the Council's central funds. The Maritime and Country Parks
Officer noted that in the next financial year, there would be a reduction in
the Hafan's target income but this was only temporary.
Pwllheli and
District Boat Owners Association representative noted that he understood that a
condition was in place where the pontoons in Plas Heli would only be used when
the Hafan was full or when events were held at Plas Heli. In response, the
Maritime and Country Parks Officer noted the need, ideally, to support
activities in the harbour as a whole.
The
representative noted that he was supportive of Plas Heli, but not at the
expense of local tax payers. In response, the Economy and Community Senior
Manager noted that Plas Heli Cyf was required to submit proposed fees to the
Council. He noted that Plas Heli extended the range of facilities available in
Pwllheli. Plas Heli pontoons could not be compared with the moorings and
facilities in the Hafan.
In response to an
observation by the representative in terms of using Council land for caravans
and charging for parking in the car park when an event is taking place in Plas
Heli, the Economy and Community Senior Manager noted that events brought
economic benefit to the area and that accommodation provision was required for
the events. He explained that there were occasional arrangements between the
Council and Plas Heli Cyf in terms of using the land in question as a caravan
site when an event was held. He noted that the car park was under the control
of Plas Heli Cyf, and that it was appropriate for them to charge a parking fee.
The Plas Heli
representative noted that it had been quite a good season for Plas Heli, with
various events. He explained that Plas Heli was run by volunteers and that Plas
Heli Cyf had a turnover of approximately £0.5m per annum. He noted that Plas
Heli was important to Pwllheli as it attracted a large number of visitors and
competitors, bringing benefit to the local economy.
The Pwllheli and
District Boat Owners Association representative noted that he welcomed the fact
that visitors were attracted to the area because of Plas Heli, but it was
important that the company stood on its own two feet. He referred to
information he had received from the Council under a freedom of information request
about the number of grants Plas Heli Cyf had received. In response, the Economy
and Community Senior Manager noted that the grants were contributions to hold
events, and that there was one specific plan in the Council's Strategic Plan
for holding major events in the County.
The Pwllheli and
District Boat Owners Association representative noted that fishing boats were
moored on Plas Heli pontoons where they should not be, and the need to look at
a reduction in external harbour fees for local people in order to ensure use of
the moorings. In response, the Maritime and Country Parks Officer noted that he
would discuss the fishing boats matter with Plas Heli Cyf, and that the
possible reduction in external harbour fees for local people could be
considered as part of the review of fees in 2019/20.
RESOLVED to note and accept the report.
Supporting documents: