To consider matters at the request of the Members.
Minutes:
Notice Board
The Maritime Service
Manager had received a question from the Councillor for Arthog
and Llangelynnin asking about the two wooden
noticeboards that used to be on the footpath at Friog.
It was asked why they had been removed from the path and whether there were
plans to replace them and when. The Maritime Service Manager noted that the
noticeboards had been removed as part of the service's maintenance work.
He explained that it
was intended to paint them but both of these had
deteriorated and it was considered that there was no point in repairing them.
It was reported that there was an intention to create new ones and the
application had been made but the manufacturer was running late. He added that
it was originally planned to reinstall them by Easter
but it was now hoped that they would be back up in their proper position by
Whitsun.
Boat at Friog
The second question from the Councillor for Arthog and Llangelynnin was about
the small boat wreck at Point Penrhyn. Concern was raised that the boat
remained there despite various complaints. It was asked whether there was an
intention for it to be removed.
The Maritime Service
Manager reiterated that the situation has been ongoing for some time and that
the service had been in communication with the boat owner. It was noted that
the service had given the owner various opportunities to make
arrangements to remove the vessel, but unfortunately the owner had not
taken the appropriate action. It was accepted that the Local Member was
receiving complaints and that the situation regarding the boat 'Lady Anne' was
frustrating as it looked very unsightly on the site. Although there was no
pollution to the water, it was acknowledged that many negative comments had
been received about this.
It was reported that
harbour staff had posted a notice on the boat since last week and the service
had powers to remove the boat under the relevant act. It was explained that the
owner had 30 days to make arrangements to remove the
boat, otherwise the harbour authority would make arrangements with a local
contractor to remove it. It was noted that there were significant costs
involved but it was hoped that a reimbursement would be received from the boat
owner in due course.
Harbour staff were asked to let Committee members know
if there was an update and if a contractor had to be used. It was believed that
the Council had the legal powers to obtain a reimbursement if necessary. The
service was asked to update the Chair and that it was important to share any
development.
Membership
It was noted that Co-opted
Member John Johnson no longer represented the Barmouth and Cardigan Bay Sea
Fisheries Association on the Committee. Additionally Co-opted Member Martin Parouty would also not continue on
the Committee as he had left the Barmouth Harbour Users Group, which had since
ceased to exist. It was thought that there was a need for a conversation about
how to improve the Committee's numbers. It was agreed that the Chair, as the
Local Member, should have a discussion with the Maritime Service Manager and
the Senior Harbour Officer as some of the Committee's historic members had
left. It was recognised that the Committee needed more comprehensive
representation at its next meeting in the autumn. The Chair suggested asking
local groups to see who was interested.
A request was made to include members' questions on
the Agenda; a member of the Committee believed that
this used to be the case in the past. The point was accepted by the Maritime
Service Manager, he explained that sometimes the questions arrived late or
after the reports have been prepared and translated. He added that if the
questions were received in good time he was more than
happy to include them on the Agenda for the next meeting.