Agenda item

To submit the report of the Maritime and Country Parks Officer.

·         Port Marine Safety Code

Following the Consultative Committees' decision that an item on the Safety Code was to be a standing item on the agenda of every meeting of the Consultative Committees, an update was received on safety code matters. It was explained that the Maritime and Country Parks Service reviewed the Safety Code for the municipal harbours of Gwynedd on a regular basis to ensure that all safety systems at the harbours complied with the requirements of the code, the expectations of customers; and conformed to Health and Safety requirements.

Members were reminded that the Maritime and Coastguard Agency's Chief Auditor had carried out a follow-up review of the safety procedures and systems at Gwynedd's municipal harbours in March 2019. It was confirmed that the Council conformed to expectations. It was highlighted that no issue or cause of concern had been submitted for the attention of the service by Members of the Harbour Committee in 2019, to date, in relation to the Harbour's statutory responsibilities and duties.  

·         Dredging

Following an invitation to tender on Sell2Wales, it was reported that the work of restoring Grwyn y Crud had been offered to the Jennings company for approximately £225,000. It was noted that, despite completing the necessary preparatory work for submitting an application for a Marine Licence to Natural Resources Wales, the licence had not been received (although a draft of the confirmation had been received). Members were reminded that it was essential to receive a Marine Licence as the footprint of the groyne extended beyond the existing footprint. It was noted that there was no intention to extend the nose of the groyne (this would mean additional costs and a time restriction of up to 10 years). It was added that the development was well designed and that the news was encouraging. The original groyne was to be demolished, and the new groyne built of stone.

In response to the plan, disappointment was expressed that there was no way of structuring and extending the nose of the groyne, as this would be an ideal solution, in accordance with the true need. Although it was accepted that there was a need for the work to commence, it was also suggested that there should be an effort to forward-plan for a long-term solution. It was proposed that the Assembly Member Dafydd Elis Thomas, Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism (Dwyfor and Meirionnydd constituency) should be contacted to draw attention to Natural Resources Wales' strict regulations, along with obstacles in enviromental legistlation and policies preventing the construction of effective groynes. It was reiterated that the Harbour was a valuable resource to attract tourists into the area, which was of economic benefit to the County.

·         Distillation Lagoon

It was noted that around 18,000 cubic metres of material had been dredged from the harbour basin and channel, and that alternative methods of sediment disposal would need to be considered before starting the next campaign.

·         Dredging Work

It was noted that the 'Royal Smals' company had completed the dredging work in the navigation channel and in the Hafan/Plas Heli basin. It was reported that the price for the work was £140,000, and that the company had worked in an effective and convenient manner, without impacting upon the harbour's operations in any way.

·         Sand Mound

It was reported that the sand mound near the Harbour entrance was almost full and that it was not possible to undertake any substantial additional dredging work until the sand and gravel had been removed from the site. It was noted that the Council was in the process of advertising opportunities for companies to purchase the sand through Sell2Wales. It was also noted that discussions had been held with Natural Resources Wales regarding the relocation of the sand to the nearby beaches of Abererch and Traeth Crugan. It was added that Gwynedd Council would have to move the sand should there be a decision to do so.

RESOLVED to note and accept the reports.