Agenda item

To submit a report by the Senior Harbours Officer.

The Senior Harbours Officer guided the members through the report and drew attention to the following main points:

·         It was envisaged that an underwater inspection of the harbour moorings would be held before Easter, subject to the moorings contractor's commitments and the weather conditions.

·         The post of a full-time Harbour Assistant was being advertised for Porthmadog Harbour, the officer would provide assistance to the Harbour Master with his duties and responsibilities and would also work at Aberdyfi and Barmouth harbours when needed.

A brief summary of the harbour's budgets and the financial situation up to the end of February 2019 was provided. The Maritime and Country Parks Officer provided details of the budgets noting that the income collected was £10,754 lower than the target income. He noted that an overspend of approximately £20,000 was anticipated for the end of the 2018/19 financial year, but given the size and responsibility of the Harbour and that financial resources had been committed for maintenance that was an investment in the Harbour. He drew attention to 2019/20 fees and charges.

In response to an observation from a member with regards to the Black Rock Sands Beach parking fees, the Maritime and Country Parks Officer noted that beach costs were funded under the beaches' budget and that beach expenditure and income was not part of the harbours budget. 

A member drew attention to the fact that the Harbour officers worked on the beaches at times.  He enquired whether the hours spent completing the work would be re-paid under the beaches budget. In response, the Maritime and Country Parks Officer noted that an arrangement was in place where beach officers and Harbour officers collaborated at times on work in the Harbour and on the beaches to deliver the best benefit to Gwynedd residents in accordance with Ffordd Gwynedd.

Porthmadog Harbour Master presented a report summarising the navigation and operational matters that had arisen during the period between October 2018 and February 2019, including maintenance matters and incidents during the period. He noted that navigation buoy number 10 had come to the shore, therefore a further Notice to Mariners had been released in addition to what was noted in the report.

A member noted that it was good to see photographs expressing gratitude for the work involved with the sea wall in Borth-y-Gest with those who had originally objected to the proposal now welcoming it as it had improved the situation.

The RNLI Representative noted that the RNLI safety signs proposed to be erected in the Morfa Bychan area were very good signs. He drew attention to the fact that Cricieth RNLI had saved 10 individuals from the North Bank near Black Rock Sands Beach during 2018 which was a significant percentage of the total number of lives saved in the United Kingdom and Ireland during the year with 182 lives saved during that time. A member noted that it was an effective and very important Service.

In response to a question from a member regarding the ice cream concession, the Porthmadog Harbour Master noted that the tender would be advertised during March. The member added that he was eager for the tender to be advertised as soon as possible.

A member noted that Councillor Nia Jeffreys would be undertaking the Caru Port work in his place and it was intended to extend the lights next to the Ganolfan to go around.

The Leisure Interests Representative provided an update on Madoc Yacht Club's plan to increase the number of pontoons in the harbour. He noted that all the relevant paperwork in terms of installing the pontoons in the harbour, including the exact location of the main extension and the pontoon fingers, had been submitted to Natural Resources Wales. He explained that Madoc Yacht Club had received a response from Natural Resources Wales confirming that all the relevant paperwork had been received. He elaborated that it was proposed to install the additional 24 meter main pontoon sections and fingers at the beginning of April, in time for the new season, and the work would be carried out by Intermarine UK Limited.

RESOLVED to note and accept the report.