The Cornwall Harbours Board met on Thursday 15 January 2026 to review maritime activity and the budget for the financial year. The meeting's agenda included a detailed maritime activity report covering September to December 2025 and a budget monitor for April to November 2025.

Maritime Activity Report - September to December 2025

The report scheduled for discussion provided an overview of activities across Cornwall's harbours between September and December 2025. This included updates from individual harbours such as Bude, Newquay, Portreath, St Ives, Penzance, Penryn, Prince of Wales Pier in Falmouth, and the Port of Truro.

In Bude Harbour, the report noted challenges with the sea lock due to low river levels and storm damage, leading to its closure for the winter. Repairs to the breakwater were also highlighted as an ongoing necessity due to frequent storm damage. The harbour also hosted events such as the Club Triumph Round Britain Reliability Run and the Awesome Foursome Quadrathlon.

Newquay Harbour's report addressed concerns about tombstoning and swimming, despite improved signage. It also detailed the challenging removal of the vessel MFV Ros-Min, which became stranded in heavy seas. Upcoming events included fireworks displays on North Quay and discussions with the organisers of Boardmasters for their 2026 event. Maintenance work on benches, toilets, and railings was also reported.

Portreath Harbour saw regular inspections and repairs to railings and paths. A lease was agreed for a sauna and event area on the former Crazy Golf site.

At St Ives Harbour, activity tapered off due to seasonal weather. Changes to traffic flow were noted as a potential concern for revenue from Smeatons Pier car park. Discussions were held regarding the operation of the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), with Councillor Luke Rogers proposing to chair a meeting to improve its administration. Maintenance included mooring inspections, repairs to a damaged quay ladder, and refurbishment of benches on West Pier. Deterioration of timber baulks and steel supports on Smeaton's Pier Arches was also noted, with repair works programmed. The St Ives Fishermen's Christmas Lights were installed, and davit lights were upgraded for better efficiency. The West Pier Lifeboat Memorial Committee was asked to consider alternative locations for a statue.

Penzance Harbour reported on assisting boat owners with winter storage and the disposal of two end-of-life lifeboats. Mermaid Pleasure Cruises upgraded their boat to a former MOD passenger launch, SD Newhaven, enhancing their ability to undertake cruise call tender duties. The swimming pontoon was moved to Abbey Basin for the winter to reduce swimming in operational areas. Scillonian III entered the wet dock for works, utilising all available berths. Freight and project cargo sailings to the Isles of Scilly continued. Works to resurface the Northern End of West Quay were completed as part of the Town Deal project, with demolition works planned for the former Meadery Building. The refurbishment of the Rank Building was also progressing.

Penryn Harbour was described as a busy, multi-functional harbour. Work commenced on mapping wrecks and vessels at risk of becoming wrecks. The departure of the vessel NY VERNE, which had accrued unpaid dues, was highlighted as a significant event. Exchequers Quay hosted a crane for the installation of new solar trees, and the café on the quay was noted for hosting successful events. An environmental clean-up in Sailors Creek removed over 2.5 tons of waste, and unlicensed vessels were relocated. A stakeholder meeting discussed the potential for Penryn to become a landing point for the tuna trade.

At Prince of Wales Pier, Falmouth, operations continued, with repairs planned for steps number 6. The Cheese and Compass shop reported increased trade. New support bars were fitted to ten benches on the Pier. The pier remained busy with fishermen, and discussions were ongoing with stakeholders to shape the future of the Pier, with a regeneration strategy to be drafted in early 2026.

The Port of Truro reported a healthy number of vessels overwintering afloat on its River Pontoons. The Mounts Bay Lugger Association's vessel Happy Return was welcomed to overwinter. The Heron Farmshop and Café unit was returned to the council and will be marketed following internal extension. Work was progressing on the roundabout site, and a tenant at Shed 6 was given notice as the building reached the end of its useful life. A section of pontoon at Ruan suffered a structural failure and has been shortened. Architects have been appointed to develop toilet and shower proposals at Malpas Marina. Several end-of-life boats are scheduled for disposal. Town Deal work will commence on Lemon Quay in January, leading to Town Quay around May 2026, including dredging. Proposals for a manually operated Swing Bridge are also being developed.

In Portscatho, long-serving Harbour Master Simon Taffinder handed over his role to his son, Ben Taffinder.

Downderry is working towards the devolution of the site, with a meeting planned with the Parish Council.

Portwrinkle's harbour wall sustained damage from recent storms, with repair work being undertaken.

Saltash continues to work with Saltash Town Council, who operate the Jubilee Pontoon. Repairs have been undertaken to Town Pier and the revetment.

Budget Monitor April 2025 - November 2025

The Board was presented with a budget monitor report for the period April to November 2025. The report indicated that the Cornwall Harbours Board was forecast to have a favourable movement of £139,000 from the original budget, with an overall forecast under-spend position and a contribution to reserves. This was attributed to an overall increase in income, which offset increases in premises and supplies and services costs.

Specific harbour positions were detailed:

• Port of Truro was forecast to have a budget under-spend of £38,000, mainly due to strong income performance.
• Port of Penryn was forecast to have a budget under-spend of £58,000, also due to strong income performance.
• Newquay Harbour was forecast to have a budget under-spend of £17,000, primarily due to increased income.
• St Ives Harbour was forecast to have a budget over-spend of £3,000, with increased expenditure on premises and equipment offset by increased income.
• Penzance Harbour was forecast to have a budget under-spend of £19,000, with increased income partially offset by expenditure over-spends, including bad debt write-offs.
• Prince of Wales Pier was forecast to have a budget under-spend of £21,000, due to expenditure underspends and strong income performance.
• Bude Harbour was forecast to have a budget over-spend of £9,000, due to increased equipment and premises costs, with a shortfall in rental income expected to be mitigated by increased car park income.
• Portreath Harbour was forecast to have a budget over-spend of £3,000, due to increased expenditure partially offset by increased income.
• Portscatho Harbour was forecast to have a budget under-spend of £2,000.
• Portwrinkle Harbour was forecast to have a budget over-spend of £1,000.

The report also detailed reserve movements, showing a forecast transfer to reserves for the Cornwall Harbours General Reserve Fund of £113,000 for the 2025/26 financial year. The Port of Truro reserve was forecast to decrease due to estimated costs for the disposal of Compton Castle, while the Port of Penryn reserve was expected to remain unchanged.