Agenda item

To submit a written report by the Maritime and Country Parks Officer.

The Maritime and Country Parks Officer guided the members through the report, which provided a brief update of the period between October 2015 and March 2016, drawing attention to the following main points:

·         The Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Consultation on Proposed Special Areas of Conservation for Harbour Porpoise and Proposed New and Extended Special Protection Areas for Seabirds - it was noted that the organisations should submit a response to the consultation directly if they wished to do so.  It was confirmed that the consultation closing date would be 19 April 2016.

·         Members were asked to draw any matters relating to the Maritime Safety Code to the attention of the Service.

·         There had been a delay in developing the draft Performance Measures in relation to the management of the harbours and beaches. The Senior Economy and Community Manager noted that the measures used by others would be investigated, in order to develop measures of impact, quality and safety.  The draft measures would be circulated for the attention of members.

·         Trinity House Lighthouse Authority had conducted an inspection on 24 February 2016.  The report drew attention to the service's failure to comply with the 'Panar' requirements and drew attention to the fact that permission was needed from Trinity House before the location of aids to navigation was moved.  It was noted that it was not always practically possible to receive prior permission.

·         Following consultation with the Consultative Committee at the previous meeting, agreement had been reached on the location of the maximum speed zone buoys and it was confirmed that it was necessary to continue to maintain the buoys on South Beach in 2016. It was agreed that the maximum speed zone buoys in the Glandon area needed to be amended in order to reflect the activities held in this area of Pwllheli harbour. It was noted that the new scheme would be operational from May onwards.

·         Dredging work had been undertaken to dredge the harbour entrance and to level the navigable channel bed, and further work would be undertaken during the summer to retain the levels. A hydrographic survey would be held during the coming weeks to confirm the levels.

·         67K of dredged material had been moved to Carreg y Defaid.

·         Details were provided on the financial position of the  Harbour and Hafan up to the end of February 2016.

·         Details of the fees were provided, noting that individuals could pay in 10 instalments for the annual mooring in Hafan Pwllheli, with the cost now only 5% higher than paying a lump sum, compared with the previous 8%. It was noted that this payment option would encourage mooring holders to remain, and to attract others to take an annual mooring.

·         Reference was made to the investments during the period, and it was noted that work on the shelter and the North Quay footbridge would be completed in 2016/17 following consultation with the Town Council.

·         It was hoped that there would be an improvement in the situation regarding the launching of boats and personal watercraft in the Penrhyn Glandon area by commercial unregistered companies, and the companies had been instructed that they must register prior to launching.

 

Reference was made to the decision made at the previous meeting that individual organisations would contact the service to give their views on moving the outer harbour moorings 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.

 

Pwllheli Marina Berth Holders' Association's representative noted that the association had confirmed to the service that the association had no objection to the proposal. He added that Pwllheli Chamber of Commerce had voiced concern that the proposal would discriminate against local fishermen who used these moorings. A member noted that he had received complaints that the Council was acting in a manner that did not provide assistance to local people.

 

The Maritime Traders Association's representative noted that the service could investigate the use of half rubber fenders that prevented boats from rubbing against each other.

 

In response to the comments, the Maritime and Country Parks Officer noted that he would investigate the matter. In relation to the complaints, he asked members to direct them to the service, and noted that there was a seat on the Consultative Committee for the Pwllheli and District Boat Owners Association.

 

Pwllheli Harbour Manager asked members to inform the service about any maintenance works that were required. The Chair noted that the Manager should send a list of the planned maintenance work to members.

 

RESOLVED that Pwllheli Harbour Manager sends a list of the proposed maintenance work to members.

 

The Maritime and Country Parks Officer provided details of the staffing structure, noting that one member of staff had left the Council's employment due to ill health, and best wishes were noted. It was noted that a review of the staffing structure would be held during the coming weeks/months.

 

RESOLVED to send a letter to the individual, expressing gratitude for his service and noting best wishes.

 

The Senior Economy and Community Manager reported that a final copy of the Dredging Strategy for Pwllheli Harbour had been received. Copies were provided to members at the meeting, and it was noted that an electronic copy would also be sent to them. It was noted that formal confirmation from Natural Resources Wales on the harbour authority rights was awaited.

 

It was noted that it was hoped that the recent work on the harbour entrance and channel would improve navigation. The short term strategy was particularly important, and as members had specifically mentioned the condition of the navigation channel, this work would be a priority.

 

The Chair noted that the Strategy was crucial for the harbour.

 

In response to a question from a member regarding when the work on the groin would take place, the Senior Economy and Community Manager noted the need to prepare a detailed plan and to work within the available resources. It was anticipated that the action plan would be in place in the next two years.

 

Pwllheli Sailing Club's representative noted that there was a need to invest to prevent materials from entering the harbour, and that this expenditure would in turn lead to annual savings.

 

During the meeting, officers responded to observations from the members as follows:

·         Information was welcomed on the positive response by Pwllheli Marina Berth Holders' Association's to a questionnaire on the Harbour and Hafan, and that further work would be held with the Association. 

·         Amending the maximum speed zone buoys in the Glandon area would not affect activities at Plas Heli.

·         The safety ladder provision exceeded the required ration of 1 to each 30 moorings, with 6.7 ladders to each mooring.

·         The Finance Department would be contacted to note that the Consultative Committee was of the view that the income target for Hafan was too challenging.

·         In relation to fees, there was further work to be undertaken to review the structure and the need to prepare a business case due the Council's financial obligations.

 

Pwllheli Sailing Club's representative provided an update on the activities to be held soon at Plas Heli. It was noted that Princess Anne, President of the Royal Yachting Association, would visit Plas Heli on 8 April during a RYA competition with around 350 competitors.

 

Pwllheli Sailing Club's representative and all the staff were thanked and congratulated for their work at such a challenging time, and Plas Heli's value to the local economy was noted.

 

The Chair suggested that 'and Plas Heli' should be added to Pwllheli Sailing Club's representative's title. Pwllheli Marina Berth Holders' Association's representative noted that consideration should be given to adding a seat for Plas Heli in case there was a conflict of interest. In response the Maritime and Country Parks Officer noted that an effort was made to maintain consistency in the number of seats on the Consultative Committee, and that it would be necessary to review the constitution in order to add a seat.

 

Pwllheli Sailing Club's representative noted that if an interest arose, he would declare it.

 

RESOLVED to amend Pwllheli Sailing Club's representative's title to 'Pwllheli Sailing Club and Plas Heli's representative'.