Agenda item

(a)       Local Member:

 

1.    Report on the barrier

2.    Future of the pontoon?

3.    Request for a ‘cordoned off’ activities area

4.    Request to hold a local competition to design (and build) a unique ‘beach hut’ for Barmouth (rather than using the usual steel container).

5.    Status of harbour resources (machinery, etc)

6.    Lack of attendance on event dates

 

 

(b)       Barmouth Town Council:

 

1.    General tidiness and storage around the harbour

2.    Income streams

3.    Compound road parking

4.    Mooring maintenance and report forms

 

 

(c)       Arthog Community Council:

 

1.    Penrhyn Point Management Update

2.    Penrhyn Drive South Slipway

 

 

(d)       Merioneth Yacht Club:

 

1.    To discuss an Open swimming area in the confines of the Harbour

2.   Very little space for Fin Keel boats

3.   Possible use of Concrete Scour matting to rectify drop at bottom of slip

 

 

(e)       Barmouth Harbour Users Group:

 

1.    Pontoon – transition of responsibility, care and maintenance.

2.    Moorings – advice on whether moorings should be taken ashore every winter

3.    Powerboat / Personal watercraft exclusion zone – reinstating buoys to mark the bathing zone to ensure a safer area for bathing

 

 

 

(a)          Request for a cordoned off activities area

 

The Chair reported that he had received a request to designate a cordoned off activities area in the harbour for leisure activity use. 

 

Resolved:       To approve that the matter is investigated and to ask the persons who made the request to contact the Maritime and Country Parks Officer to discuss their ideas further. 

 

(b)          A request to hold a local competition to design (and build) a unique 'beach hut' for Barmouth  

 

The Chair reported that something more aesthetic than what already existed was required that would be of benefit to tourism. 

 

Resolved:       To approve the idea in principle and for those interested in the above to contact the Maritime and Country Parks Officer to further discuss any ideas that come to hand.

 

(c)          General tidiness and storage around the Harbour

 

A complaint had been received from a member of the public about fishing tackle in the harbour and there was no room for children to go crabbing.    The importance that fishermen store their fishing tackle in the compound was noted.

 

Resolved:       To request that the Maritime and Country Parks Officer discusses the matter with the fishermen to ensure that the pots are stored and to leave a gap for people to be able to walk around them.  

 

(ch) Income Streams

 

It was asked if there was any way to increase the Harbour's income?   It was noted that many more canoes and kayaks were to be seen and did the authority charge them a fee? 

 

A member stated that there was so much coming and going by boats in the Harbour area that increasing water use around the Harbour would create a safety risk. 

 

In response, the Maritime and Country Parks Officer explained that they tried to encourage activities in the Harbour and no fee was charged as it would not be cost effective, in light of the fact that it would cost more to administer the arrangements to collect the fees. 

 

Resolved:       To accept and note the above.

 

(d)          Parking on the road near the compound 

 

It was noted that the contractors would be given first choice in terms of parking on the above land.

 

Resolved:       To accept and note the above.

 

 

(dd) Mooring Maintenance and feedback forms

 

It was reported that the above matter would be discussed with the relevant staff in November.

 

Resolved:       To accept and note the above.

 

(e)          The latest regarding management of Penrhyn Point

 

Cllr. Julian Kirkham reported what had been discussed at a recent meeting of Arthog Community Council and they would be making an application to the Council's Highways Department for assistance to:  

·         Paint parking areas near the turning and passing area

·         Install a pay and display machine in the parking area, with the following words to be included on the pay signs "Money from this pay and display machine will go towards keeping Friog toilets open".

·         Erect a strong height restriction barrier.  It would be necessary to erect notice signs on the road to Friog and also on Penrhyn Drive North, for information to drivers of large vehicles.

·         Repair the 'Keep Clear' sign at the top of the road down to the gate.

·         With the permission of the Maritime Officer a gate was installed to close out the area at the top of the slipway in order to prevent vans etc. from parking on the road where people launch boats.

·         A sign made specially to replace the temporary sign.

·         It was further noted that residents were of the opinion that the owners of camper vans only contribute a little or none at all to the area's local economy, and they tend to take up two parking spaces and totally ignore the Council notice 'No Overnight Parking' and worse than that there were no toilet facilities at Penrhyn Point.   It was further noted that Fairbourne Railway had placed gates to prevent access to the tunnel.   The Community Council felt strongly that the environment should be protected and by restricting parking where there were no facilities the problems would be reduced.    

In response, the Maritime and Country Parks Officer noted that whilst he accepted that the above was frustrating the Maritime Service had no legal powers to move the camper vans.  

 

 

    Resolved:   To accept and note the above.

 

(f)    Penrhyn Drive South Slipway

 

It was noted that Arthog Community Council was of the opinion that the last thing required at this location was a slipway. This would extend its use to allow vehicles to gain unrestricted access to the foreshore.    Generally, this section of Fairbourne beach was safe, and a safe place to swim.   Vehicles whizzing past up and down would be very dangerous to the public and there would be an opportunity for the unauthorised launching of boats and personal watercraft.

Access to pedestrians only was requested in the form of a length of e.g. coconut matting, but at a width of two pushchairs in order that families can reach the beach.   A sign would be required e.g.  "unsuitable for wheelchairs" to be erected at the location.  It would be impossible to have a zig-zag path due to the movement of the rough gravel. 

 

In response to the above comments, the Maritime and Country Parks Officer noted that a purposeful boat was available in the harbour to go out to Penrhyn Point to ensure that no boats launch from there.

 

Regarding the ramp, whilst accepting that improvements needed to be made, it was explained that there were many movements on the beach and the matter would be discussed further with Mr Julian Kirkham.  

 

 

Resolved: To accept and note the above.

 

(g)  There was very little space for boats 

 

It was noted that there was less space for Fin Keel boats. 

 

(h)  It was possible to use the concrete scour matting to rectify the drop at the bottom of the slipway

 

In response, the Harbour Master noted that he would consider the options of the above suggestion.   

 

Resolved:            To accept and note the above.

 

 

(i)    Moorings - a request to take the moorings ashore every winter

 

Barmouth Harbour Users Group were concerned about the number of moorings that had failed in the harbour this season.   As a result not only did this have an impact on safety but may also have an impact on future insurance premiums.  It was asked if the moorings should be taken ashore every winter, as in Aberdyfi and would it be an idea to reinstate buoys to mark the bathing zone once more?

 

In response, the Maritime and Country Parks Officer noted that ideally the above should occur but it was difficult in Barmouth due to the quality of the sea bed and the fact that there was insufficient room to store them safely.

 

The Harbour Master added that Aberdyfi moorings were much smaller and lighter and traditionally the ones in Barmouth had been left in place over the winter.   It was anticipated that there would be an additional difficulty with the arrangements to put them back and to receive the required administrative work.

 

Customers could be encouraged to lift them, however, they could not be forced and the standard and quality of the moorings here already should be improved.  An appeal was made to the organisations to emphasise to users that the moorings needed to be checked regularly.

 

      Resolved: To accept and note the above.

 

 

(j)    Powerboat / Personal Watercraft exclusion zone 

 

It was noted that at one time there was a row of buoys from Barmouth beach marking the prohibited zone to powerboats to ensure a safer place to bathe.   If there were buoys there or not any wise mariner responsible for a boat would either keep far enough away from the area or would proceed very carefully.   Unfortunately, everyone did not do this.  Therefore was there a case for reinstating the buoys to mark the bathing zone?

 

In response, the Maritime and Country Parks Officer was of the view that reinstating the buoys would not make much difference in Barmouth and there was no risk to the public. 

 

     Resolved:  To accept and note the above.

 

(a)  Fin Keel moorings

 

In response to an enquiry by Cllr. Rob Triggs, it was suggested that he, the Harbour Master, Mr Mike Ellis and Mr Dave Niven should discuss the matter further.   

 

Resolved: To accept and note the above.