Agenda item

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

Resolved:

1.     To accept the report, noting the observations made during the discussion.

2.     To receive a full presentation on dredging plans and impacts as part of the next meeting to be held on 10 March 2026.

3.     To hold an open evening in Hafan in March to discuss dredging issues and alleviate the concerns of service users and the public on those issues.

4.     To elect Councillor John Brynmor Hughes as the Committee's observer for the Aberdyfi, Porthmadog and Barmouth Harbour Committees.

An update on the management issues of the harbour was received from the Pwllheli Hafan and Harbour Manager.

Members were guided through the report detailing performance and customer satisfaction data issues.  It was detailed that a customer satisfaction survey would be shared with mooring holders very soon, confirming that the outcomes of the survey would be shared with Members at the next meeting of this Committee.

During the discussion, a number of comments were received about dredging issues in the Harbour. In response, the Manager confirmed that officers were currently preparing two marine licence applications to deal with scrutiny issues, in conjunction with Gwynedd Consultancy. It was elaborated that these permits would enable officers to pump dredged material out to sea as well as reclaim land. It was explained that different areas had been identified for this work and that work was underway to gather evidence for the licence application. It was noted that there was no assurance that all areas would receive attention until the feedback request would be accepted for the permit applications. It was acknowledged that there was currently no quick solution to dredging issues as the preparations to apply for these permits were underway until April 2026. It was detailed that the process of applying for marine licences was one that took approximately 12 months, due to the need to carry out various inspections. It was emphasised that harbour officials held regular meetings with Gwynedd Consultancy to ensure that this timetable did not fall behind. An update was given that feedback was expected quite soon following the submission of marine licence applications by Natural Resources Wales as officers were working closely with them throughout the application development process, to ensure that all necessary information was included and to streamline the process. In response to an enquiry, the Assistant Head of Economy and Community Department assured that this process of applying for marine licences in order to find a long-term solution would not have a detrimental effect on the regular dredging work already underway.

It was elaborated that the harbour entrance had been dredged earlier this year and that arrangements were in place for it to be dredged again in the period from January to March 2026. It was explained that officers were looking for areas where mud collected regularly, and were aware that this was currently happening near pontoon 11. Harbour users were thanked for informing officials of any area where mud was gathering. It was also noted that a detailed survey had been carried out in May to obtain detailed data on the condition of the channel, confirming that there were no apparent problems arising from the results of that survey.

In response to an enquiry into whether a proportion of the Harbour's profits were being retained in order to ensure that there was an adequate budget for effective dredging, the Assistant Head of Economy and Community Department confirmed that Cyngor Gwynedd's Asset Management Plan had ensured that £6 million had been earmarked for the Harbour for resource updates and the realisation of the dredging programme, sharing hopes that a budget would now be able to be offered in future.

In response to a query if it was possible for harbour officers to update users more regularly on dredging issues, the Manager noted that constant contact was already being made with mooring holders. It was acknowledged that contact had been challenging in the past but this had improved recently, considering whether officers could share an update to mooring holders once every 3 months on these issues in future. Reference was also made to the harbour's newsletter which shared updates every two months, stating that anyone could subscribe to it through the website to receive the latest information on Harbour related matters. It was confirmed that the harbour stakeholders and representatives of Pwllheli Town Council would receive confirmation when the circular was published in future.

Following the discussion, the Assistant Head of Economy and Community Department confirmed that he would be sharing a full presentation during the next meeting of this Committee on the various work streams of the harbour. It was added that this presentation would elaborate on technical and environmental information as well as the different options available to the site.

Harbour safety, resource and budget issues, Welsh Government Fisheries grant, harbour building and operational matters were reported.

At the end of the discussion, a representative from Pwllheli Sailing Club stated that he did not believe that he was able to commit to the role of observer to other harbour committees in Gwynedd in the future as a result of other commitments, and asked the Committee to elect another representative in his place. Councillor John Brynmor Hughes was nominated and seconded as the new observer of this Committee and was elected following a formal vote.

An update was had on sailing events at Plas Heli, taking pride in the fact that the site had been very busy over the summer period and that positive feedback had been received from users and visitors. Plas Heli was congratulated on hosting a sailing event where 240 competitors had travelled internationally to take part.

It was noted that detailed information on scrutiny matters would be shared with Members at the next meeting. In response to an enquiry about holding a face-to-face meeting, the Manager offered to hold an open evening outside this Committee in order for members to receive an update on scrutiny matters and provide an opportunity to receive feedback and comments. This idea was supported and it was agreed to extend an invitation to mooring holders to that informal meeting.

RESOLVED TO:

1.     Accept the report, noting the observations made during the discussion.

2.     Receive a full presentation on dredging plans and impacts as part of the next meeting to be held on 10 March 2026.

3.     Hold an open evening in Hafan in March to discuss dredging issues and alleviate the concerns of service users and the public on those issues.

4.     Elect Councillor John Brynmor Hughes as the Committee's observer for the Aberdyfi, Porthmadog and Barmouth Harbour Committees.