Agenda item

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting of the Barmouth Consultative Committee held on 6.3.2018

The Chairman signed the minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 6 March 2018, as a true record.

 

Glynda O'Brien (Member Support Officer) was wished a happy retirement and she was thanked for her contribution and service to the Committee over the years.

 

          Matters arising from the minutes:

 

(a)       Maintenance

The Maritime and Country Parks Officer to ask the Senior Harbours Officer and the Harbour Master about the winter maintenance work programme.

 

(b)       Events

It was accepted that there was room for improvement with the process of reminding organisers to contact the Maritime Service first to get permission to hold activities and to strengthen day-to-day arrangements. 

 

          It was reported that discussions had taken place regarding the Motorcross   event clashing with Gwynedd Half Term holidays and the lack of            communication between the organisers and Barmouth Town Council.  It was noted that Mr Arnold (Motorcross organiser) required confirmation of the dates      for 2019, before December in order to organise the event.  It was added that it           was not possible to change the date for 2018 as the Motorcross events   programme across the country had already been published.  A suggestion was           made that October half term weekends (Gwynedd) should be avoided and           Remembrance Sunday should also be considered.

 

          The 9/10 or 16/17 of November were suggested in order not to clash with    half-term.  It was noted that the event was important for the area and they did     not want to lose it.  The need to confirm the dates with Mr Arnold before December 2018, was emphasised.

 

(c)        Fairbourne Emergency Telephones

            It was highlighted, following the Committee's decision to express to the relevant    Cabinet Member their wish to dispose of the emergency telephones due to a             lack of use, that this had not occurred. Prior to disposal, it was suggested that      there should be further consultation with the Coastguard and the RNLI             regarding the use of the telephones.

 

(ch)     FLAG Activities (Fisheries Local Action Group).

 

   It was reported that the activities had been successful and it was proposed to       expand the venture in the future.  All who had been part of the arrangements       were thanked.

 

The Town Councillor noted that he could not attend FLAG Group meetings in the area and he suggested that membership should be offered to someone else.  It was confirmed that the FLAG Group's wish was for any one memberfrom Barmouth Town Council to be a representative.  

 

(d)     Sand Clearance

 

It was stated that it was not possible to see the sea from Barmouth, and it was noted that following meetings with Gwynedd Consultancy it was not possible to remove the sand.  However, it was highlighted that positive statements had been made in a magazine stating that the beach was an excellent resource, the seawall was popular and the channel was clear.

 

(dd)   Dredging

 

It was anticipated that only Victoria Dock and Pwllheli Harbour would be dredged.

 

(e)     Arthog Community Council - controlling the in-flow of traffic

 

With a substantial flow of tourist traffic into the area, it was reported that a meeting had taken place with the Transportation Department and it appeared that nothing had been done in response.  It was highlighted that Arthog Community Council was working with a Group in Fairbourne to try and reinstate some of the issues which included action to prevent overnight parking. It was confirmed that the relevant Cabinet Member received a copy of the Committee agenda and was therefore aware of these issues.

 

In response to a comment that Bala Town Council had employed an enforcement officer themselves, it was suggested that Councillor Louise Hughes should contact the Town Councillor for relevant details of the enforcement act in order to raise the matter at the next Arthog Community Council.

 

(f)      Damage to railings outside the Dora building

 

It was reported that Gwynedd Council had shouldered the burden of paying for the damage.  It was added that discussions had taken place with the owner with a warning that if there was further damage then the Council would take action to recover the costs.