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Agenda item

To consider the report of the Senior Manager - Economy and Community

Minutes:

An initial report was submitted by the Cabinet Member, outlining the effect of cuts approved by the Full Council (March 2016) on the budgets to manage Blue Flag and Green Flag beaches. The anticipated implications were highlighted, but because the cuts had not been fully implemented, it was difficult to provide a detailed report on the effect thus far. Although it was possibly premature to discuss the impact during the transitional period, it was accepted that there was a need to hold a discussion and keep an eye on the possible effect.

 

In response to the report, a request was made to consider the situation at Morfa Nefyn and Nefyn as they were no longer protected. The Local Councillor noted that the Community Council do not have the expertise to accept responsibility and it was highlighted that the Community Council considered giving the leasehold back to the Crown.

 

During the ensuing discussion, the following comments were highlighted regarding the beaches of Morfa Nefyn and Nefyn:

·         If the Community Council and Gwynedd Council were not going to protect these beaches, who would take the responsibility?

·         The Crown Estate would have to be persuaded to accept responsibility

·         What arrangements were in place before responsibility was relinquished?

·         Would it be possible to propose alternative plans?

 

In response to the comments, it was accepted that the situation at Morfa Nefyn and Nefyn was difficult and a discussion needed to be held with the landowners to ensure access control to the beach. It was noted that the Council possibly had been too eager in the past to accept responsibility over the management of the beaches, but by now in the context of cuts, it would be timely to hold discussions with the landowners and to highlight to them their responsibility and legal status.

 

Should Nefyn Town Council surrender its leasehold, its responsibility as an entity would decrease, and the responsibility would rest with the Crown Estate.

 

The Senior Manager highlighted that he would convey the Scrunity Committee's concerns to the Crown Estate in a meeting in February.

 

The following comments on the content the report in general were highlighted:

·                   Concern regarding public safety

·                   Needed to manage access to the beaches for machinery / boats

·                   The beaches were one of the County's main assets and therefore they needed to be safeguarded

·                   The burden of responsibility on the Community Councils

·                   Ethical responsibility although it was not statutory

·                   What are the responsibilities of the beach wardens?

·                   Were any lifeguards being employed?

·                   Important to include volunteers in beach protection arrangements

·                   Need to allow local people to participate

·                   What is the future of the Blue Banner?

 

In response to the comments above, the Senior Manager emphasised that the proposals were not ones the Department wished to implement, but that they were part of the Gwynedd Challenge arrangements. He explained that the situation was a very complex one and that the cuts had been implemented within a very tight schedule and that the factors were very different for every area. In situations where the arrangements had not been confirmed, it was noted that some local establishments showed an interest and it would therefore be possible to consider suitable models.

 

In response to a comment about the future of the Blue Banner, it was highlighted that a number of external factors influenced this, such as the quality of the water which is beyond the Council's control. It was noted that there were increasing requirements on making an application and there was no guarantee or assurance on the success of the applications from year to year. It was highlighted that applications were submitted under the usual procedure with the increasing requirements making the situation difficult.

 

The recommendation to accept the report as an initial report was proposed and seconded, and to re-visit the situation after the cuts were fully implemented.

 

An amendment to the proposal of accepting the initial report was made, but further consideration needed to be given to the Morfa Nefyn and Nefyn beaches

 

A further amendment to the proposal of accepting the initial report was made, but there was concern regarding the Morfa Nefyn and Nefyn beaches.  A request to the Department was made to urgently discuss the way forward with the Cabinet Member before the holiday term, and carry out a review of these beaches.

 

RESOLVED to accept the initial report, and the following observations were suggested:

-       That there is concern regarding the beaches of Morfa Nefyn and Nefyn

-       A request to the Cabinet Member to urgently discuss this unique situation with the Economy Department before the holiday term

-       To receive a report at the end of the holiday term on the full effects.

 

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