Agenda item

To receive and confirm the minutes of a meeting of the Aberdyfi Harbour Consultative Committee held on the 28 February 2017.

Submitted:                   Minutes of a meeting of the Aberdyfi Harbour Consultative Committee that took place on 28 February 2017.

 

Resolved:       To accept and approve the minutes as a true record.

 

4.1 Matters arising from the minutes - Item 4 (d) (i) Quay Wall

 

The Chair noted his disappointment that an officer from Gwynedd Consultancy could not attend the meeting to give an engineering update on the developments with the quay wall work.  The Chair had attended a meeting recently with officers from the Gwynedd Consultancy Unit and he reported that from his understanding the latest position was that the estimate for the revised plans to re-develop the quay wall was £2.2m.  At present, approximately 75% of this cost could be found via grants and European funding, however there was a deficit of 25% that was equivalent to £500,000.  At the previous meetings the possibility of attracting a third party to contribute to the costs was discussed and it would be possible to discuss this further at the next meeting of this Consultative Committee. It was suggested that all Committee Members considered asking for possible financial support and that this information was highlighted to members of all the organisations represented on the Harbour Committee.  It was understood that concern had been highlighted by Natural Resources Wales regarding the intention to extend the existing structure out by approximately a metre seawards and this would have an impact on habitats, but it was understood that they were now satisfied with the amended plans.   It was further understood that the application would be presented and considered soon by the National Park Authority, namely the Planning Authority for Aberdyfi.

 

The Maritime and Country Parks Officer added that he would arrange for copies of the plans to be available for inspection at the Harbour Master's office and he would circulate notes updating on the process in the last few weeks.   It was noted that it would be challenging to find £500,000 and it was intended to look at every possible financial source.  

 

In terms of the time-schedule, it was trusted that the work could commence in April 2019.

 

During the ensuing discussion the following points were highlighted:

 

·         In terms of attracting a local contribution, it was felt that £500,000 was challenging and would it be possible for the Council to consider sources from tourism streams. 

·         That 2018 had been designated the Year of the Sea and there might be financial sources available from the Welsh Government.   

·         It had been agreed in the past that the quay was an important resource for Aberdyfi and especially to support businesses, RNLI etc.  

·         That Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas had recently been appointed as the Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport and it would be beneficial to have a discussion with him regarding any assistance that he could suggest.   

·         Doing nothing to renovate the quay wall was not an option, as it would fall into the sea, however the path to reach this aim was difficult.

 

Resolved:       (a) To accept and note the above and to look forward to discuss the matter further at the next Consultative Committee in March 2018.

 

                        (b) That the amended plans and the latest report were available in the Harbour Master's office for further inspection by members of this Consultative Committee and members of the public. 

 

4.2 Item 4 (d) (ff) - Common Land / Storage, waste

 

It was reported that the above land continued to be problematic with the public disposing all types of illegal waste on the land, including fridges, freezers, asbestos etc.

 

The Maritime and Country Parks Officer explained that there was asbestos on the land and this had to be disposed by specialists and in accordance with strict guidance.  It was noted that the Services had earmarked approximately £10,000 for the clearance work with approximately £8,000 in addition to erect a secure fence in order that no one could dispose of litter or any illegal use of the land in the future.   It was trusted that the site would be cleared by the start of April 2018.   By the end of summer, it was hoped that there would be a tidy space available in the area to store pots and tackle for the fishermen who work regularly from Aberdyfi harbour.   The Service was in discussion with a waste disposal company from Caernarfon to get an estimate to dispose the waste.

 

The representative from the Yacht Club noted they had a lease for a small section of the land and the Club would be willing to contribute financially and practically to dispose of illegal waste.   The representative was asked to circulate a copy of the lease to officers at the first opportunity.

 

A Member noted that once the land had been cleared, it would be a valuable and safe resource to store official equipment and in an ideal location.  

 

The Maritime Officer emphasised that fishermen needed to ensure that all their property, including fishing tackle of any type, had been stored in a safe way.   Any equipment identified as not being used or maintained for some time would be disposed. 

 

A Member suggested that it could be possible to find out who had illegally dumped material by investigating the serial numbers of the materials.

 

It was noted as a matter of information that Clarach Waste Services in Aberystwyth undertook a weekly service for Tywyn and it might be worthwhile contacting them for a price to dispose waste.

 

Resolved:       To accept and note the above.