Agenda item

To submit the report of the Hafan Pwllheli and Harbour Commercial Manager.

 

Update on Harbour Management Matters

Hafan and Pwllheli Harbour Statistics

Financial Report 2022 – 2023

Performance Management Hafan and Pwllheli Harbour 2022

To note and accept the report

 

The Pwllheli Hafan and Harbour Commercial Manager introduced himself formally to the Committee making reference to the paper that provided an update on the Harbour and Hafan Management and Operational matters.  He elaborated on some matters as follows: -

 

1.1  Port Marine Safety Code

 

It was confirmed that the Harbours Officer would look in detail at the Safety Code.  In terms of the Duty holder, it was confirmed it had now been transferred to Councillor Nia Jeffreys as the Economy and Community portfolio holder and she had already visited.

It was confirmed that complaints regarding safety has come to light, including

·       No Harbour Master in Pwllheli

·       No management of personal watercraft, and concern that someone will suffer harm

 

In response, it was noted that staffing changes had been made including appointing an Assistant Harbour Master, and that the team was currently full.  It was also confirmed that the Harbour Deputy Manager,Wil Williams, was the Harbourmaster of Pwllheli.

 

It was confirmed that the Hafan and Mooring Master had been out to try and slow the personal watercraft and that there was work to install a loudspeaker on the harbourmaster's building, that would be ready by the summer term next year.  Reference was made to the work of promoting and informing the speed and it confirmed that the Police vessel had been on the water for two weeks.

 

In response to a question about the intention to place identification numbers on personal watercraft, it was confirmed that they should have numbers by now, and to be fair a vast number did.  It was confirmed that the Maritime Traders were spreading the safety message but managing access could be problematic.

 

It was confirmed that CCTV cameras had been installed on the slipway and that the work of monitoring the Parking and Launching Companies was taking place in order to ensure everyone’s safety.  It was noted that the camera picks up the numbers, especially near the fuel quay, and additionally that people share personal videos and pictures with the Council.  It was confirmed that the cameras had been installed from the mouth of the Marina in order to try and have eyes everywhere.

 

It was questioned had there been a prosecution following some of the stupid things people had done, but it was noted although there had been accidents that no prosecution had come from this, mainly as personal watercraft were not categorised as ships.  It was noted that unfortunately it was not possible to manage all the coast.

     

1.2  Dredging the Channel

 

It was confirmed that this work had been very successful in May, and that the same effort would be made at the start of 2023, the specific timing was dependent on the timing of the shallow water.  It was confirmed that a discussion had taken place with Welsh Water regarding purchasing or leasing the land.  One of the other challenges was emptying the marina basin, but it was reported that work in collaboration with Gwynedd Consultancy was on the horizon to work on a long-term programme, despite a number of challenges.

 

The evidence that the new groyne was fulfilling its work was questioned and it was confirmed that the regular review which was held was showing that the mouth was getting smaller and smaller.  It was questioned why it wouldn't be possible to pump it to Glan y Don side or even ask Welsh Water to sell the piece of land in question?  It was confirmed that there was a number of options under consideration, especially as the strategy had ran its course, including looking at leasing land with Welsh Water.

 

It was confirmed that pumping over the wall would create concern for the Lifeboat Service, especially if it were build up and harden, but it was confirmed that such discussions would include the Lifeboat.

 

The date when the marina would be dredged was questioned (under the pontoon) and it was confirmed that the work would be going out to tender at the start of 2022, and the hope was winter 2022, but of course the work of emptying the lagoon properly would have to take place before this.

 

1.3  Financial Matters

 

Reference was made to the figures previously shared which noted the over-expenditure of £200,000 in electricity payments only, and the income was strong as a whole.  Reference was made to the improvements made around the Hafan

 

It was noted that there had been an under-expenditure in terms of staffing matters, with fewer staff employed over the summer.

 

Reference was made to the expenditure on a new fuel quay in the new year.

 

It was questioned if it would be possible to earmark some money for the future (e.g. the pontoons were coming to the end of their lifespan) rather than requiring money from the Council?  Reference was made to the Investment Programme, under the leadership of the Assistant Head of Economy and Community Department, in order to ensure long-term investment.

 

The Pwllheli Marina Berth Holders Association Representative noted that she had received positive feedback from the Members regarding the new safety system, bike racks and CCTV on the slipway.

 

The Maritime Traders Association Representative reiterated the observations by noting that the CCTV was excellent, and the loud speaker system, and that having CCTV on the slipway would be good, and noted that it would be possible to look into this.

 

It was noted that it was not always possible to accommodate visiting boats that needed 5 to 6 foot of draught and it was questioned whether it would be possible to look into the possibility of a holding mooring, as a means of bringing income in as there was 3 heaps each side, which would possibly be adequate enough for 20 boats.  It was noted it would be possible to consider this for long-term investment.

 

It was noted that some aesthetic matters needed attention e.g. the dog faeces bin and it was confirmed that it had been drawn to the attention of the appropriate officer.  Weeds around the harbour. Lack of suitable access to Marian y De beach as it was not practical with children and it was confirmed there was a work programme for the winter to look at this.

 

The suggestion of allocating money was reinforced, as the Hafan was full and had made good profit.

 

1.4  Fees and Charges 2023/24

 

The Hafan and Harbour Commercial Manager confirmed that a meeting was on the horizon to look at the financial position, specifically the inflation situation.  Although there were no exact figures available, the situation was not looking very promising.  Following this, reference was made to the need for a piece of work to look at electricity power, or something sustainable to reduce electricity costs.  It was confirmed that the Manager would distribute the figures when they were available.

 

The Pwllheli Marina Berth Holders Association Representative reminded everyone that there was no increase in the fee last year, and that many boats were currently on sale in the Marina.  It was asked if it would it be possible to get information on the increase in fees as soon as possible, as well as enquiring about a loyalty bonus?

 

The Manager confirmed that work was ongoing, but that providing one group with a reduction would affect another group, but it was confirmed that nothing would be in place this season.   In terms of electricity costs, the Committee were reminded that every boat, no matter its size, pays 10% towards electricity and it was questioned was this fair in terms of the different nature of different sized boats?

 

In terms of seeing a large investment, reference was made to the Strategic Plan, noting that there was a specific plan for Pwllheli Town where discussions were ongoing.  The Assistant Head of Economy and Community Department elaborated on the initial ongoing work to identify funds from Westminster, but they would not be the same amount of investment as any previous investments from Europe.  The intention to look at what was available was noted but it would not be easy.

 

1.5  Operational Items

 

The Commercial Manager made reference to navigational matters, 2023 fuel quay and Hafan slipway, by confirming that work had taken place on the hard standing where the boats were stored.

 

He noted that the statistics were very positive with 100% of the moorings filled and 10 on the waiting list.  It was noted that work was in the pipeline to weed-out the waiting lists, but there was hope that they would be full again next year. 

 

Reference was made to the Strategic Plan, noting that three had expressed an interest in the brief, with commercial positioning.  Committee members had noted that it was important to build on the Strategic Plan, as it was looking like the Marina was going to get a good year or two.  The need to have a Strategic Plan in place was noted, having been costed, so it would be possible to move forward.

 

In terms of retaining the money generated here to be spent here, it was confirmed that a discussion had taken place and that the money in the fund for the next three years had been earmarked.

 

RESOLVED:

 

To note and accept the report