Agenda item
To submit a written report by the Maritime and Country Parks Officer.
Minutes:
The
Maritime and Country Parks Officer guided members through the report and the
following main points were highlighted:
·
That there had
been a reduction in the number of annual moorings compared with 2014, which
reflected the broader economy;
·
In terms of the
Marine Safety Code, the Senior Harbours Officer would review it before it would
be audited by the appointed independent authority, namely Caernarfon Harbour. It
was noted that the Code provided guidance and gave the public assurance that
the safety of users was important to the Council;
·
That observations
from members on the contents of the Code were appreciated;
·
That the service
was eager to develop Performance Indicators in relation to the management of
the harbours and that initial ideas or suggestions were invited from members;
·
Reference
was made to the sickness absence of a staff member and it was noted that
Harbour Assistants were covering in an attempt to ensure a service for users
for seven days a week;
·
That
there had been a delay in terms of moving the material dredged in the Harbour
as confirmation of financial support was awaited from the Welsh Government. It was noted that it
was hoped that the work would be completed before the end of March 2016;
·
Consideration
was being given to earmarking £50,000 annually to undertake dredging work in
the Harbour Mouth and it was hoped that the work would be carried out next
year, at the same time as when the material dredged in the Harbour would be
moved;
·
Details
were given on the 2014-15 accounts of the Harbour and Hafan;
·
It
was intended to increase the fees of Hafan for the 2015-16 financial year in
line with inflation and to freeze the fees of the Outer Harbour so as to
encourage individuals to take a mooring;
·
That
there were concerns in terms of safety and the costs of maintaining the
equipment of the harbour boat and that options were being assessed in relation
to its replacement;
·
After
receiving concerns about the quality of the red diesel provided in the Harbour
from the Pwllheli Maritime Traders Association, it was noted that enquiries had
been made at the other Harbour Committees and confirmation had been received
that they were happy with the quality of the red diesel. It was added that the
situation would continue to be monitored;
·
Work
would be undertaken to reduce the bund and define the public footpath near Plas
Heli and a security fence would be erected.
Consultation was undertaken with the Council's
Paths Officer and he had supported the proposal;
·
Payment
options for Harbour users had been assessed and a Standing Order was favoured
rather than a Direct Debit. It was noted that consideration would be given to the
option of paying a Standing Order over a period of 12 months rather than over 7
months if a contract was signed by mid-February.
The
Maritime and Country Parks Officer drew attention to the maximum speed zone
buoys on South Beach and he asked members for their views on removing them.
Members noted that they should be retained to ensure the safety of users.
Members'
views were also sought on amending the maximum speed zone in the Glandon beach area in order to facilitate recreational
activities. Members noted that there was a need to be careful in terms of the
safety of users and that consideration should be given to the creation of fixed
swim zones.
RESOLVED that the Maritime and Country
Parks Officer undertakes research in terms of the options of amending the
maximum speed zone in the Glandon beach area and to
report on the matter at the next meeting.
The
Pwllheli Harbour Manager provided details on the
maintenance work programme and members were asked to inform the service of any
other required works.
Members’
views were sought in terms of moving the moorings of the outer harbour from
area 5 to 6 to area 7 in light of the fact that the area had closed up
considerably and due to the maintenance costs involved. It was noted that moving the moorings would
widen the channel.
The
representative from Pwllheli Marina Berth Holders’
Association noted that members should be given time to discuss the matter with
their respective organisations.
RESOLVED that individual organisations
contact the Maritime Service before 31 December 2015 to voice their opinions
before the plan is progressed.
During
the meeting, the officers responded as follows to the members’ observations:
·
In terms of
deposits accumulating in the Harbour entrance, it was noted that a bank formed
outside the entrance and that the situation would be assessed as the deposits
could move subject to the weather;
·
That a small
number of individuals found it difficult to access the Harbour;
·
In response to a
member’s observation that the security lights of Blue Water Marine could blind
individuals when they sought to enter the Harbour, the representative of Pwllheli Maritime Traders Association was asked to convey
the message to the company and submit observations at the next meeting;
·
That higher costs
in connection with gas and electricity at Hafan would
be investigated;
·
That a column
would be added to the budgetary reports so as to include the previous year’s
figures in the future;
·
That
consideration would be given to drawing up special offer packages in an attempt
to attract more individuals.
An
update was provided on the events held at Plas Heli since its opening from the representative of Pwllheli Sailing Club, namely:
·
Optimist European Championships,
·
Optimist UK Championship,
·
29er UK Championship,
·
29er World Championships,
·
Fireball World Championships,
·
IRC Welsh National Championships.
The
Pwllheli Sailing Club representative and his staff
were thanked and congratulated for their work and on the success of the events.
The
Senior Economy and Community Manager reported that after submitting
observations made by members at the workshop where the draft Dredging Strategy
was considered to ARUP Associates, that impact assessment work had now been
prepared. It was
noted that discussions continued with Natural Resources Wales and that
consideration would be given to establishing harbour authority rights to avoid
having to complete application forms for individual rights.
It was
added that a meeting would be held with ARUP Associates next week and that the
final report would be circulated to the members of the Consultative Committee.
Supporting documents:
- Update on Harbour Management Matters, item 7. PDF 254 KB
- Appendix 1 - Pwllheli Harbour Income and Expenditure Account 2014-15, item 7. PDF 42 KB
- Appendix 2 - All Harbours Income and Expenditure Account 2014-15, item 7. PDF 45 KB