Agenda item

To submit a report by the Senior Harbours Officer.

The Senior Harbour Officer's report was presented by the Maritime and Country Parks Manager, updating the committee on Harbour matters for the period from March 2019 to October 2019. The members were invited to give feedback on safety matters and harbour operational matters.

The following were circulated at the meeting:-

·         A summary of the Harbour budget and the current financial situation up to the end of September 2019.

·         A draft of the proposed fees and charges for Porthmadog Harbour in 2020/21 (including and excluding VAT).  It was noted that the draft would be submitted to the Cabinet Member in December.

It was noted that the Gwynedd registration figures for powerboats and personal watercraft, included in paragraphs 2.4 and 2.6, were different to those noted in the tables in the appendices to the report. It was explained that the two sets of information had not been prepared concurrently, but that the figures would be reconciled by the next meeting.

The Maritime and Country Parks Manager noted that a member had enquired as to how the Council would deal with the issue of the increase in the mud / sand gathering on side of the Harbour nearest to the light railway.  It was explained that although Gwynedd Council, as Harbour Authority, had the right to dredge the harbour, there was no requirement for it to do so.  The work of dredging any harbour was extremely complex and expensive. Some dredging work had been completed in the Harbour in 1994, with the mud removed to a nearby dumping site. However, as this was now contrary to European regulations, the sediment would have to be transported to a site around 15 miles north of Holyhead.  Although the arrangements, income levels and permits were in place to dredge the harbours of Pwllheli and Caernarfon, it was not anticipated that it would be possible to undertake works of this kind in Porthmadog, Barmouth or Aberdyfi. In response to a further query from the member, the Maritime and Country Parks Manager explained that the increase in mud / sand in the Harbour did not lead to an increased loss of moorings, as there was currently much capacity in the Harbour for moorings.  An enquiry was made as to whether it was the owners of the houses on the far side of the Harbour who held the rights to the moorings located there. In response, it was noted that the seat for a Landowners' Interests Representative on this committee was currently vacant, and that they had a right to elect a representative to attend the meetings.

The Senior Harbours Officer presented the Harbourmaster's report, summarising the navigational and operational matters that had arisen between March 2019 and October 2019, including maintenance matters.

The following were circulated at the meeting:-

·         A draft of the Harbour bye-laws, and a request was made for committee members to submit any observations they had on the draft bye-laws before 31 December 2019.  It was noted that an electronic version of the document was available if members wished to have it.

·         Porthmadog Harbour maintenance work programme for the October 2019 - February 2020 period.

Further to the content of the report, the following matters were raised:-

·           It was noted that the Trinity House report, following its annual inspection of navigational aids in the Harbour and the approach channel between 14 and 16 October, would be presented to the next meeting of the committee, held in March.

·           It was reported that the Unit had recently been shocked to receive observations from Porthmadog Sailing Club regarding a lack of maintenance of the Harbour's navigational aids.  The Sailing Club's letter was read out to members. It referred to the incorrect location of aids and delays in conveying information to mariners, and it was emphasised that the Unit regularly notified mariners of changes to the channel. It was explained that the Sailing Club had been contacted again to suggest that they discuss these matters with their representative on this committee, in order for him to expand upon the situation at this meeting.  The Representative confirmed that he had not been asked to raise the matter, and the Maritime and County Parks Manager added that no other mariners, or Trinity House, had raised concerns.

·           The Sailing Club was thanked for offering a berth for the Dwyfor boat by the pontoon which was owned and managed by the Club.

·           The Maritime and Country Parks Manager gave members an update on the situation following a recent case of jet skis being driven in an irresponsible and aggressive way in Cricieth.  It was noted that it was understood that the police was still investigating the incident. The Town Council Representative noted that he too had recently seen jet skiers behaving irresponsibly, and asked what members of the public should do in a situation of this kind, where the situation was evidently dangerous, but was not an emergency that warranted a 999 call.  In response, the Maritime and Country Parks Manager noted that he would advise people to phone Galw Gwynedd, the Harbourmaster or the Maritime Officer in Pwllheli, noting the date, time and location of the dangerous incident. Members were asked to disseminate this message.

·           The Maritime and Country Parks Manager noted that he had received a letter from Cricieth Town Council calling for a complete ban on personal watercraft between Porthmadog and Pwllheli. He had already explained to the Town Council that Gwynedd Council did not have the powers to do so, that it would be very difficult to manage, and that there would also be an economic impact.  However, he had promised the Town Council that he would bring the matter before this committee.  He further noted that there would be a need for more officers to supervise and work outside of normal hours. The Council was dependent on the public keeping an eye on the situation, but the number of complaints received was very low in comparison to the number of people who gained enjoyment from this activity. It was also noted, despite bye-laws being in force at Cricieth and Morfa Bychan, that this was not the case at other locations along the coast.  Everyone was asked to report any unreasonable incident they witnessed. It was agreed that Cricieth Town Council should be notified that this committee had discussed its letter, suggesting that the current bye-laws should be reinforced.

In response to an enquiry, it was explained that there had been an attempt to boost the economic growth of the town in the past by not charging fees for holding events in the Harbour. However, the cost of cleaning and tidying after events meant that there would be a need to revisit this for 2020. It was confirmed that film and television companies were usually charged, and that those companies had to gain the Council's permission to film in the first place.

RESOLVED to note and accept the report.