Agenda item

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 12 November 2015.

Submitted:     Minutes of a meeting of the Aberdyfi Harbour Consultative Committee that took place on 12 November 2015.

 

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

2.1       MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

 

(a)          Item 5 (a) – Visitor Figures in Aberdyfi

 

An apology was given that the above figures had not been included within the report before the committee and an assurance was given that they would be circulated to Members in the next few days.   However, in the meantime, the following figures were noted:

 

2014 - 53 boats visited Aberdyfi

2015 - 18 boats visited Aberdyfi

 

It was further noted that the weather had been very unfavourable and it was hoped that there would be better weather this season.    Thanks was also given for the information pack provided by Members to visitors and they would try to encourage mariners to visit the different harbours within the County.

 

(b)       Control of Personal Watercraft

 

It was not anticipated that it was possible to have more control of the Leri river area, despite having a discussion with relevant officers from Natural Resources Wales.   However, it was trusted that control could be improved from the Harbour authority side through the appointment of an officer to assist the Harbour Master who would be operational on the water during the main summer holiday period.  

 

In response to a query from the Chairman regarding what action could the Harbour Master take to deal with the control of personal watercraft, it was explained that the Harbour Master had statutory powers but did not have the right to issue on the spot fines, however if there was evidence of any misuse of the rules then they could be prosecuted.  It was further noted that the Police gave good support in such cases. 

 

(c)          Maintenance   

 

Mr Desmond George reported that he was continuing to discuss the design of a purposeful winch for use by boats that are launched and land near the Yacht Club.   The Maritime and Country Parks Officer thanked him and once any information was received it would be forwarded to the engineer in order to consider the possibility as part of the wider scheme for the quay wall.   The best option would be for the winch to be located in one place and not as part of a vehicle or mobile winch. 

 

(ch) Movement of Sand

 

It was reported that the sand removal work had been completed during the last few weeks and work was proceeding at the same time to remove sand from the car park and promenade. 

 

In response to a concern highlighted regarding sand, Mr Paul Fowles noted the following:-

 

By artificially extending the dunes by 4 metres up to the car park sea defence steps and blocking the small levee that runs behind the sand hill, which floods each Spring Tide, would allow the dune system to move east to south east without the needs of controlling devices such as a stockade.  However, obliquely oriented beach groins would help in the short term to divert the sand away from the car park and lifeboat station, until the dunes can establish themselves closer to the yacht club end of the beach. 

 

Up until the early 60s, prior to the car park first being built there was a small green and sand dunes running along the length of the village beach front to the old OBSS Black Sheds, with associated railway line.  Any windblown sand was arrested by the dunes and Marram grass before it made its way into the village or covering the rail track.  There is a lot to be said in reverse engineering the beach to how it used to be without the need for great expense.

 

He promised to forward a report that referred to examples such as the above to the Maritime and Country Parks Officer as a matter of interest.

 

The Chairman noted that a great deal of sand had been blown onto the harbour this year and he was concerned about the future especially as this would be the last year that finance would be available to remove sand. 

 

Resolved:       (a) To accept and note the above.

 

                                    (b) To request that the Maritime and Country Parks Officer sends a letter on behalf of the Harbour Consultative Committee to Jones Brothers company to express their gratitude for the work they undertook to remove the sand.