To submit a report by the Maritime and Country Parks Officer.
Minutes:
The Maritime and Country Parks Officer guided the members through the
report, drawing attention to the following main points:
·
No observations had been
received relating to the Marine Safety Code since the previous meeting.
· The Service had expected an
inspection to be carried out by an inspector from the Coastguard Agency in
January. However, lack of capacity meant that the inspection has not taken
place and the Service was waiting the inspection to be re-arranged. It was
anticipated that the inspection would take place in September 2017.
·
A detailed inspection
would be conducted by Trinity House Lighthouse Authority inspectors on 31 July
2017. It was anticipated, on account of recent investments, that the report
would confirm the continued improvement of the condition and stations of the Porthmadog Harbour Aids to Navigation.
·
Two Mariners’ Notices
were in operation at Porthmadog Harbour. The notice
for Buoy Number 1 (Sandbank) was up to date - it was not on station (notice no.
10). Buoy aid No. 3 (notice no. 9) was also off station and mariners were being
warned to navigate with care in this area until the aids had been re-located to
their correct stations. Trinity House had been informed of the situation at Porthmadog via the PANAR system, in keeping with
requirements.
·
The Porthmadog
Harbour navigation channel had changed significantly over the past few weeks,
particularly in the Cwt Powdwr area. It was noted
that the Service regularly inspected the channel at low tide in order to try to
ensure that the aids to navigation were in the most suitable locations. The
constant shifting of the channel made it difficult to ensure that the aids were
in their correct positions.
· As reported in the previous
meeting, the Harbour Assistant's employment period had been extended to the end
of December 2016 in order to ensure support and continuation of the service across
the County. It was noted that the period of employment had been further
extended to the end of March 2017 on a three day a week arrangement. It was
reported that the Harbour Assistants' positions would be advertised for the
period of 1 April 2017 to 30 September 2017.
·
A boat that had been
abandoned near Ballast Quay had been secured and moved to the slipway area. It
was noted that the Service would contact the owners and inform them of the
intention to sell or dispose of the boat unless it was removed from the Harbour
during the next two months. It was noted that if members were aware of any
projects wishing to take on the boat, they were to contact the Service.
·
The budgetary situation
up to the end of January 2017, noting that it was anticipated that the income
target would not be met for the financial year.
· That a new Powercat
boat would be located at Porthmadog.
· That the draft fees for Porthmadog Harbour for the 2017-18 financial year had been submitted at the previous meeting. The
intention to increase fees by an average of 2% in order to meet the budgetary
challenge and the service's target income was confirmed. It was explained that
the Cabinet Member for Economy would confirm the fees by the end of March 2017.
·
In 2017 the Council
would have to charge a fee for each mooring at every Harbour under Council
management. It was explained that the fee had been added by the Crown Estate
that would claim £25.00 from each mooring at each harbour. It was noted that
the Council, as the Harbour Authority, would be required to charge and collect
this fee on behalf of the Crown Estate.
It was added that the additional fee was also payable for visitor
moorings and this payment would need to be funded via the Harbour budget.
The Senior Harbours Officer was welcomed back following a period of
ill-health.
The Harbour Master provided details on the spring maintenance work
programme. Members noted that management measures to prevent cars from parking
on the boat storage site at Borth-y-Gest had improved
the situation.
In response to a question from a member about standardising Harbour Toll
fees so that there would be no difference between a Local Fee and Other Fees,
the Maritime and Country Parks Officer noted that, even though Harbour Tolls
had been standardised, for other fees a discount for local people continued. It
was noted that, despite an above inflation rate increase in fees at Borth y Gest, this was believed to be reasonable.
In response to an observation by a member, the Maritime and Country
Parks Officer stated that the demand for permanent moorings was falling with
the number of visitors increasing and a means of attracting more customers was
being considered. The Harbour Master confirmed that 76 individuals had
confirmed permanent moorings, which equated to 50% of the available provision.
The Maritime and Country Parks Officer added that some individuals would not
confirm until May.
RESOLVED to note and
accept the report.
Supporting documents: