To consider a report by the Maritime and Country Parks Officer.
Minutes:
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)
Marine Safety Code
It was noted that the Safety Code was a live
document and how important it was to receive regular comments on its contents
in order that it may be reviewed and to ensure that it was relevant to harbour
activities.
Resolved: To accept and note the above.
(b) Navigation
In response to an
enquiry by Cllr. Rob Triggs regarding a buoy marking the sea outfall pipe. It
was explained that an apology had been received from Trinity House for not
contacting the service beforehand and the buoy conformed to requirements and
Welsh Water were out of order as they had not informed the Council that they
intended to commission work from Trinity House within the harbour boundaries.
Resolved: To accept and note the above.
(c) Maintenance
Committee Members were asked if they had any
concerns or anything that required attention before the Easter holidays and the
following matters were noted:
(a) New sign near Tŷ Crwn
(ii)
The
main slipway gate lock needed to be repaired as it could not currently be
locked
(ch) Staffing Matters
(i) It was reported that the contract of the
Barmouth Harbour Assistant (seasonal) had ended on 30 September 2016, however,
it had been extended over the winter months with the post-holder based in
Porthmadog. It was further noted that
the Senior Harbours Officer was off work due to illness and if any problems
arose Members were asked to contact the Service in Pwllheli.
(d)
Operational Issues
(i) A report was received from the RNLI
regarding safety signage in the Barmouth Harbour and beach area and via the
Chair of this Consultative Committee, the Town Council and the RNLI there would
be further discussion regarding what can be achieved by the Whitsun It was emphasised that they had to be
careful with the location of the signs due to the impact of the sand in
Barmouth. In terms of maintaining the
signs, it was anticipated that they would have to be removed over winter.
(ii) In response to a concern highlighted by
a member whereby a person could fall into the channel in the bath-house area at
times of low tide. The Maritime and Country Parks Officer noted that the
Harbour Master would be requested to inspect the site and consider what types
of temporary signage could be erected.
Resolved: To accept and note the above.
(e)
Moorings - Three Peaks Race.
An application has been received from the
Three Peaks Race Committee requesting permission to place concrete blocks and
trot moorings in the area of the Harbour where there is constant deep water.
A representative from the Three Peaks Race
Committee explained how important the race was for Barmouth in terms of public
relations and the area's economy as the race attracted competitors and visitors
from all over the world. If Barmouth
Harbour was advertised in magazines etc. it would entail a huge cost to the
Council and the Tourist Board, however, the race meant that Barmouth received
attention via social websites etc., and
from race followers and as a result this attracted a huge benefit to the area.
A further explanation was received of the
need for the concrete blocks and it was stated that this type had been used for
years and they had not moved from the seabed.
It was understood that there were objections to the Committee placing
blocks in the Harbour, however, the reasons were not known. An application had been made to install 16
concrete blocks, and thus far the Committee had received the names of 13
competitors for the race in the hope of course of attracting more. The concrete blocks were used as they were
cheaper than steel anchors and chains.
It was understood that concrete blocks were used in Aberdyfi and Trinity
House also used them. The estimated
cost was approximately £5,000 to £7,000 and it was proposed to strengthen the
existing ones and install ground chains.
It was further noted that the proposed blocks were much bigger and they
would be installed by a local contractor.
An appeal was made for a decision by the Consultative Committee due to
the need for the contractor to receive instructions in order to get these ready
by April. The Race Committee was
willing for the Maritime Service to use the concrete blocks and the moorings
following the race and for the remainder of the season without any additional
cost.
In response, the Maritime and Country Parks
Officer praised the Three Peaks Race Committee and the race's contribution to
the economy of the harbour and the wider area bearing in mind that it was only
volunteers who were part of the organisation etc. The Maritime and Country Parks Officer noted
that the Council had historically supported the race and that the Maritime
Service had invested in equipment and furniture in the past to facilitate
arrangements.
It was further noted that the Maritime
Service was open minded regarding the concrete blocks and they were not aware
of any objection or complaint that had been submitted. In terms of the details of the moorings, a
great deal of research had been done in the past and reference was made to the
documents attached to the agenda listing the minimum specification for Council
moorings. In addition, the importance
that the anchor complied to standards was emphasised in order to keep boats
safe. In the context of the
application, attention was drawn to the fact that moorings already existed,
however, specific assurance was needed of the number of additional moorings
required for the race.
In terms of the use of concrete blocks,
concern was expressed that if the chain broke and the concrete block remained
on the seabed this may cause difficulties in years to come, however, at the
same time it was good that it was proposed to use a ground chain.
In response to a query from a Member
regarding the specification for concrete blocks, the Maritime and Country Parks
Officer explained that this was difficult and the only comment offered was that
the concrete blocks used in the past had worked. It was anticipated that it would be possible
to inspect them once a year, however, this would have to be at a cost to the
Three Peaks Race.
The following comments were highlighted in
response to questions from Members:
·
That
steel moorings were more expensive than concrete blocks
·
That
no written complaints had been received regarding installing concrete blocks
During the ensuing discussion the following
comments were made:
·
Concern
regarding the seawards lead buoy (top of the line of moorings)
·
Would
the new moorings clash with the existing ones
·
Future
developments - if equipment was left could this create difficulties to the
existing moorings
In response to the above, the Maritime and
Country Parks Officer noted that it was likely that some of the existing
moorings needed to be moved, and as a harbour authority it was noted that they
had the right to ask a boat owner to move to a new location with the cost paid
by the owner. The Senior Harbours
Officer and the Harbour Master would together ensure that this work was
completed before the main Summer season.
Whilst agreeing and understanding the dilemma
of the Three Peaks Race Committee in terms of how many moorings would be
needed, it was suggested that the best way forward was for the Maritime and
Country Parks Officer/Harbour Master to further discuss the needs of the Three
Peaks Race Committee and the use of Council moorings following the race. It was suggested that a meeting should
take place as an urgent matter following this Consultative Committee.
Resolved: (a) To accept and note the above.
(b) To support in principle the Three Peaks Race Committee's request
for a provision of
concrete blocks for the Three Peaks Race and ask the Maritime and Country Parks
Officer/Harbour Master to discuss the matter further with the Race Committee
officers regarding organisation, locations, use of moorings by the Council
following the race and an assurance that the concrete blocks would not remain
as waste on the harbour seabed in years to come.
(f) Sand Removal
The Maritime and Country Parks Officer
reported that sand would be removed next week.
Resolved: To accept and note the above.
(ff) Quay Wall Pontoon
The Maritime and Country Parks Officer
reported that a positive meeting took place on 1 February 2017 with
representatives from local groups and organisations as well as the Town Council
present, when the ownership and maintenance of the pontoon were discussed. From this meeting, it was understood that
the Barmouth Community Trust was considering taking ownership and future
responsibility for the pontoon. The
Consultative Committee was told that the Maritime Service did not own the
pontoon and therefore was not responsible for its maintenance nor for arranging
or paying for public liability insurance.
It was further stated that there was no assurance that the quay wall was
strong enough for the pontoon. There
was also concern regarding the pontoon fingers that were currently moored in
the Bathhouse area and the need to move them without delay, and if there was
any difficulty with finding a location then the
Harbour Master would be willing to organise a place to store them
temporarily.
A Member noted that the Community Trust had
presumed as the pontoon had been in use now for four and a half years, that it
had been insured by the Council for this period.
A Member noted the importance of dealing with
the above without delay.
Resolved: (a) To accept and note the above.
(b) To request that the Harbour Master investigates the possibility of a
suitable site to move the pontoon fingers to temporarily and to contact the
members of Barmouth Community Trust regarding arrangements to transport them.
(g) Petrol Storage
The Maritime and Country Parks Officer
reported that following a request at the previous meeting regarding the
possibility of storing and selling petrol on the quay for powerboats only, he had
discussed this with the Council's Public Protection Department and they were of
the opinion that this would not be possible because of the regulations. In accordance with the Health and Safety
Executive (HSE) guidelines the service had not been charging the correct fee
for red diesel and this would have to be rectified. It was also trusted that by Whitsun it would
be possible to offer a service of paying by card for diesel, fees etc. It would therefore be necessary to inform
customers of the new system that would mean no credit once the card payment
service was operational in the harbour.
Resolved: To accept and note the above.
(ng) Owner's Licence and Boatman's Licence
The Maritime and Country Parks Officer
reported that Barmouth had an excellent resource between Barmouth and
Fairbourne via the ferry service, however, it was necessary to consider
tightening the arrangements. It was
noted that three licences had been issued for a ferry to transport passengers
between Barmouth and Penrhyn Point with one Licence approved for a boat that
will offer trips around the estuary up to the toll-bridge only. The Committee’s opinion was sought regarding:
·
limiting
the number of Owner's Licences
·
establishing
a maximum number of Owner's Licences permitted to operate in the harbour
·
establishing
a specific period and number of days when Owner's Licence holders can operate
·
establishing
a minimum number of operational hours
·
any
improvements or further requirements for consideration as conditions for an
Owner's Licence or Boatman's Licence.
During the ensuing discussion, the following
observations were noted:-
·
the
ferry offered a service to visitors and the community and it could be argued
that they should be operational every day of the week, depending on favourable
weather
·
That
Fairbourne Railway re-opened for the tourist season on the 1 April, however,
ferry operators could not commence their service until 7 April and it was asked
if it was possible for the ferry to operate from 1 April to be the same as the
Railway.
In response, the Maritime and Country Parks
Officer noted that the date was in accordance with the requirements of the
relevant Act and if it was necessary to commence earlier than seven days before
Easter, it would be necessary to discuss this with the Harbour Master and the
possibility of having a winter licence that would comply with another section
of the Act.
Resolved: (a) Approve to continue with the existing
process of operation and review the situation in October on how the service was
operated.
(h) Other
matters
In response to an enquiry by the Member
regarding launching from Penrhyn Point, the Maritime and Country Parks Officer
reported that they would employ a Harbour Assistant from 1 April but unfortunately
the Service's capacity did not permit staff to go over to manage Penrhyn
Point. It was further explained that
the Harbour Master was responsible for the registration of boats that register
in the Harbour and for checking the relevant documents.
It was added that 7 applications were
received last year from volunteers in Barmouth to assist with activities around
the Harbour and this was welcomed again this year and it was requested that the
Harbour Master allocates work for them as long as the qualifications of
individuals are acceptable.
Resolved: To accept and note the above.
(b)
Financial Matters
Reference was made to the summary of the
Harbour budget that was attached to the Agenda.
Resolved: To accept and note the budget.
(c)
Fees and Charges 2017/18
Reference was made to the fees spreadsheet
that noted an increase of 2% on average with the commercial boats mooring fee
increasing by 6%.
Attention was also drawn to the additional
mooring fee from the Crown Estate of £25.00, that would be collected by the
Maritime Service and would be re-paid to the Crown.
Resolved: To accept and note the fees.
Supporting documents: