Agenda item

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

Submitted:     The report of the Maritime and Country Parks Officer, Mr Barry Davies, updating the committee on Harbour management matters with specific reference to the following:-

(a)          Membership of Consultative Committee -  the Barmouth Viaduct Access Group was asked to submit their constitution and minutes of their Annual General Meeting to the Member Support Officer, in accordance with the resolution of the Gwynedd Council Cabinet in 2014.  

 

The organisations / institutions would need to submit this information annually.

 

(b)          Barmouth Moorings and Boat Registration - an additional list was presented to Members during the meeting and reference was made to two boats that had recently broken away from their moorings.  

 

It was stressed that there was nothing wrong with the moorings, but the link between the front of the boat and the buoy had broken and this was the responsibility of the boat owner.   Boat owners are regularly encouraged to ensure that they follow the appropriate guidance and that the moorings are fit for purpose  In response to an enquiry from a member, it was confirmed that Harbour staff checked and ensured that the strops were suitable.  The Maritime Service felt frustrated in light of the fact that there were arrangements in place to submit appropriate current documentation to the Harbour master, however, some individuals did not conform.  In future, it was suggested that an audit of all the moorings should be conducted and if they were not in accordance with the Service guidance, there would be no other option but to exclude them from the Harbour and instruct the moorings to be removed.  

 

The importance of establishing a robust process to deal with the above matter was emphasised and it was suggested that it would be useful to revise the By-laws in order to operate in a stricter way in the future.  The support of the Consultative Committee to this suggestion was welcomed and Members were encouraged to spread the message to their organisations about the importance that moorings reach the requirements and are fit for purpose.    

 

In response to an enquiry regarding the statistics for powerboats / yachts and that the percentage in Meirionnydd had reduced compared to the increase in Pen Llŷn, the Maritime and Country Parks Officer explained that Pwllheli had been identified as a location to stage local races and the town had a strong sailing industry.   

 

It was added that the Meirionnydd Yacht Club did excellent work with the youth in the town of Barmouth.

 

Resolved:       To approve that the Maritime Service conducts a review of the Harbour By-laws in order to establish a strong procedure to be put in place to submit appropriate documentation of the suitability of moorings.    

 

(c)          Port Marine Safety Code 

 

The Maritime and Country Parks Officer reported that the Coastguard Agency's inspectors (MCA), Welsh Government Transportation Department, carried out a review of the current safety arrangements and systems of the County's harbours and their report would be submitted to the next Harbour Consultative Committee meeting in spring.  It was not anticipated that there were any problems emanating from the review and their initial view was that the Service conformed with the general requirements but a comprehensive training matrix was required for staff.   The review focussed on the harbours of Aberdyfi, Porthmadog and Pwllheli and due to a lack of time they had not visited Barmouth.  They noted that there was a need to tidy-up the area around Aberdyfi harbour quay and verbal comments had been made regarding the width of the channel at Pwllheli Harbour. 

 

It was intended to conduct a second visit within 12 months and following a discussion with the inspectors it was suggested that it would be beneficial for the date to correspond with the date of the Porthmadog Harbour Consultative Committee and to invite representatives from the Consultative Committees of Aberdyfi, Barmouth and Pwllheli to the meeting.

 

Resolved:       To accept and note the above.

 

 

(ch) Navigation

 

It was reported that the investment made with the navigation aids had been a success as each one had remained on station.  One report was submitted to the Marine Accident Investigation Board (MAIB) following an incident in the Harbour that had occurred due to the individual's lack of experience and understanding.  There than been correspondence with the person in question and guidance regarding training had been given.

 

Resolved:       To accept and note the above.

 

 

(d) Maintenance

 

The Harbour master outlined his work programme over the winter and noted that this would be circulated to Members, and that he and his assistant were responsible for the area from Llandanwg to Fairbourne.    Attention was drawn to the following matters:

·         Restore and repair signage

·         Repair locks

·         Work on the public stairs opposite the toilet block

·         Clean the slipway, promenade wall from sea algae

·         Repair shelters that continue to be subject to vandalism 

·         Repair the handrails along the quay  

·         Repair the Fairway buoy

·         Repair the floodgate due to damage

 

The Maritime and Country Parks Officer added that if Committee Members were aware of any additional work required, they were encouraged to contact the Harbour master.

 

In response to an enquiry by a Member that the emergency phone located at the car park of Benar Beach worked and was checked regularly.

 

It was further noted that a survey had recently been conducted on the use of emergency telephones in the county and it was seen that not much use was made of them as people tended to use mobile phones in emergencies.  

 

It was suggested that it would be useful for the Consultative Committee to receive a report at the next meeting on the use of the area's Emergency Telephones.

 

Resolved:       (a) To request that the Harbour Master distributes his work programme to Members of the Consultative Committee.

                                   

(b) To request that the Maritime and Country Parks Officer presents statistics on the use of emergency telephone service to the next meeting of this Consultative Committee.

 

(dd) Staffing matters

 

Alex Hills, Assistant Harbour master was welcomed and introduced to the meeting and it was explained that his employment period had been extended to assist with the harbour maintenance work programme over the winter months, subject to the financial position.    

 

 

(e) Harbour Matters

 

(i) Safety Barrier in the Quay Area

It was reported that a safety barrier had been installed in the quay area in order to try and improve public safety. The Maritime and Country Parks Officer apologised that the Service had not engaged with harbour users before installing the safety barrier.  However, it was understood that the barrier had been a great assistance and the safety risk had improved in the area.    It was proposed to continue with the arrangement and the Service was more than willing to receive observations. 

 

A member noted, having discussed this with users and accepting the fact that the area in question needed to be controlled, that there was concern regarding the colour of the barrier.

 

In response, it was explained that it would be possible to discuss this further and the Harbour Master intended to contact sign makers in Dolgellau for the various options.

 

Resolved:       To accept and note the above.

 

(ii)           Pontoon

Mr John Smith was thanked for coordinating the meetings in order to move forward and resolve the pontoon's ownership and it was understood that the Barmouth Community Trust had expressed an interest in taking on its ownership.  The Maritime and Country Parks Officer emphasised that the Council did not own the pontoon, but that Harbour staff had undertaken maintenance work on the structure in the past.  It was trusted that over the next few months the ownership could be resolved with confirmation of future ownership.  It was further noted that the pontoon was an excellent resource for the harbour and that the Council was not in a position to continue with its future maintenance.

 

Councillor Eryl Jones-Williams read out an extract, as follows, from minutes of the Snowdonia National Park Authority who had contributed to the project through the CAE fund: 

 

“Pontwn Cymuned Harbwr Abermaw Merioneth Yacht Club Pontoon

 

• The project aims to install and maintain an open access permanent (four season) pontoon in a sheltered part of the harbour to allow access to a range of marine, estuarine and river recreational activities for all users including those with additional needs
• This proposal is therefore for a completely new type of provision to meet the current and growing needs of tourist, sport and recreational users
• CAE has contributed £25,000 towards the project”

 

Mr John Smith explained that the matter was not proceeding very quickly.    He further explained that although there was a perception that the Meirionnydd Yacht Club owned the pontoon, this was incorrect.  What had happened was that a group of individuals had come together to be eligible to submit applications for various grants.  Gwynedd Council gave a financial contribution at the time and confirmation that the Council would support the maintenance, however, it was made clear that the Council would not replace it.  

 

It was noted that discussions had taken place for a year between the Trust and the Maritime Service who had been supportive, however, there were some elements that needed to be resolved.

1.    Licence from the Council to attach the pontoon to Council property 

2.    Confirmation by the Council regarding public liability as it was for public use

3.    Formulate and agree on a management plan for the pontoon       

In order to proceed without delay, the Chairman suggested that officers from Barmouth Community Trust and the Maritime and Country Parks Officer organise a meeting soon to resolve the three elements noted above. 

 

Resolved:       To request that the Maritime and Country Parks Officer organises a meeting soon with the relevant officers

 

(iii)          Safety Signs

It was noted that with the assistance and kindness of the RNLI signs would be in place by 1 April 2018.

 

Resolved:       To accept and note the above.

 

 

 

 

 

(iv) Parking Safety

 

In relation to introducing a new system that would prohibit unauthorised persons from parking on the area parallel to the harbour compound, a Member noted that a further discussion was required regarding its control.   

 

The Maritime Officer noted that the arrangement had improved the situation and perhaps a discussion was required with the Harbour master regarding controlling its use.   The intention was that the area should be available for commercial harbour users and there was no intention to hire out the area to persons without any link to the harbour.  

 

Another Member noted that persons had parked in front of Bathhouse for many years and was there anything that could be done to prevent people from parking there? 

 

In response, the Maritime and Country Parks Officer noted that it was not possible to include the area as part of the parking enforcement, but it was emphasised that the area was the Council's property and Harbour staff needed space to park vehicles.    It was noted that signs had been erected to retain 2 parking spaces for Harbour staff and the intention was to try and keep control of land that was Council property and it was trusted that individuals could comply with these arrangements. 

 

In terms of the status of the section coloured with yellow lines near the side of the SS Dora building, it was asked if this space could be included as part of the parking order. 

In response, the Maritime and Country Parks Officer noted that he could make enquiries regarding the above.

 

Resolved:       To request that the Maritime and Country Parks Officer investigates the above concerns. 

 

(f) Financial Matters

 

Reference was made to the budgetary balance sheets that indicated an overspend of £13,275 to the end of September 2017 and as Service Manager, the Maritime and Country Parks Officer noted his concern that the income target was not substantial with expenditure of £29,463 and therefore the target was short of £3,857.

 

A Gwynedd Council elected member expressed his concern in light of all the proposed savings that any cuts to the Maritime Service would have a detrimental impact on the area's economy and consequently on jobs and tourism.  It was suggested that the Cabinet Member for Economic Development be invited to the next meeting of the Consultative Committee to air the matter and escort him around to see harbour activities.  

 

In response, the Senior Manager Economy and Community explained that discussions were currently proceeding and the intention was to conduct specific workshops to discuss different savings options per Department.  However, any support to protect the Service budgets for the future was welcomed.

 

Resolved:       To accept and note the above and invite the Cabinet Member for Economic Development to the next Consultative Committee meeting.

 

 

 

(ff) Events

 

It was heartening to note all the events that take place in Barmouth and the community's work and efforts were appreciated.  Whilst accepting that staff attendance at events had not been 100% this year during the autumn season, it was ensured that more of an effort would be made next year.   However, it had to be considered that there was a reduction in resources with the Harbour Master working from April to September every weekend, and at times two members of staff were required on duty in terms of safety.  It was ensured that staff would be available for the Motor-cross event on the beach that would take place on the weekend 28/29 October.   

 

A Member expressed concern that the date conflicted with half term and the car parks would be full up.   Originally, this event took place following the tourist season in order to extend the season and not on school half term holidays. 

 

It was added that the event affected the ferry business as people could not get onto the beach.

 

In response, the Maritime and Country Parks Officer suggested that the matter could be considered by the Town Council and instruction could be given to the Maritime Service to discuss this with the organisers for it not to take place during half term, if this was their wish. 

 

In future it would be useful for the Harbour staff to receive a list of events to take place and guidance regarding what was expected from the staff as part of the events.  

 

Resolved:       To accept and note the above.