Agenda item

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

The Maritime and Country Parks Officer guided the members through the report, drawing attention to the following main points:

·         No observations had been received relating to the Marine Safety Code since the previous meeting.

·      The Service had expected an inspection to be carried out by an inspector from the Coastguard Agency in January. However, lack of capacity meant that the inspection has not taken place and the Service was waiting the inspection to be re-arranged. It was anticipated that the inspection would take place in September 2017. 

·         A detailed inspection would be conducted by Trinity House Lighthouse Authority inspectors on 31 July 2017. It was anticipated, on account of recent investments, that the report would confirm the continued improvement of the condition and stations of the Porthmadog Harbour Aids to Navigation.

·         Two Mariners’ Notices were in operation at Porthmadog Harbour. The notice for Buoy Number 1 (Sandbank) was up to date - it was not on station (notice no. 10). Buoy aid No. 3 (notice no. 9) was also off station and mariners were being warned to navigate with care in this area until the aids had been re-located to their correct stations. Trinity House had been informed of the situation at Porthmadog via the PANAR system, in keeping with requirements.

·         The Porthmadog Harbour navigation channel had changed significantly over the past few weeks, particularly in the Cwt Powdwr area. It was noted that the Service regularly inspected the channel at low tide in order to try to ensure that the aids to navigation were in the most suitable locations. The constant shifting of the channel made it difficult to ensure that the aids were in their correct positions.

·      As reported in the previous meeting, the Harbour Assistant's employment period had been extended to the end of December 2016 in order to ensure support and continuation of the service across the County. It was noted that the period of employment had been further extended to the end of March 2017 on a three day a week arrangement. It was reported that the Harbour Assistants' positions would be advertised for the period of 1 April 2017 to 30 September 2017.

·         A boat that had been abandoned near Ballast Quay had been secured and moved to the slipway area. It was noted that the Service would contact the owners and inform them of the intention to sell or dispose of the boat unless it was removed from the Harbour during the next two months. It was noted that if members were aware of any projects wishing to take on the boat, they were to contact the Service.

·         The budgetary situation up to the end of January 2017, noting that it was anticipated that the income target would not be met for the financial year.

·      That a new Powercat boat would be located at Porthmadog.

·      That the draft fees for Porthmadog Harbour for the 2017-18 financial year had been submitted at the previous meeting. The intention to increase fees by an average of 2% in order to meet the budgetary challenge and the service's target income was confirmed. It was explained that the Cabinet Member for Economy would confirm the fees by the end of March 2017.

·         In 2017 the Council would have to charge a fee for each mooring at every Harbour under Council management. It was explained that the fee had been added by the Crown Estate that would claim £25.00 from each mooring at each harbour. It was noted that the Council, as the Harbour Authority, would be required to charge and collect this fee on behalf of the Crown Estate.  It was added that the additional fee was also payable for visitor moorings and this payment would need to be funded via the Harbour budget. 

The Senior Harbours Officer was welcomed back following a period of ill-health.

The Harbour Master provided details on the spring maintenance work programme. Members noted that management measures to prevent cars from parking on the boat storage site at Borth-y-Gest had improved the situation.

In response to a question from a member about standardising Harbour Toll fees so that there would be no difference between a Local Fee and Other Fees, the Maritime and Country Parks Officer noted that, even though Harbour Tolls had been standardised, for other fees a discount for local people continued. It was noted that, despite an above inflation rate increase in fees at Borth y Gest, this was believed to be reasonable.

In response to an observation by a member, the Maritime and Country Parks Officer stated that the demand for permanent moorings was falling with the number of visitors increasing and a means of attracting more customers was being considered. The Harbour Master confirmed that 76 individuals had confirmed permanent moorings, which equated to 50% of the available provision. The Maritime and Country Parks Officer added that some individuals would not confirm until May.

RESOLVED to note and accept the report.