The Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee met on Friday 13 March 2026 to discuss the financial performance of the crossings, review operational reports, and consider future pay policies. Key discussions were scheduled around the 2025-26 budget monitoring, the Chief Officer's quarterly report, and the 2026-27 Pay Policy.

Chief Officer's Quarterly Report

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on general and operational matters for the period of 1 November 2025 to 31 January 2026, with commentary on events after this period. This report would cover key performance indicators (KPIs) for both the Torpoint Ferry and the Tamar Bridge.

For the Torpoint Ferry, the report was expected to detail ferry availability, trips completed, and eastbound tolled traffic volumes, comparing these figures to the previous year. It would also highlight other KPI monitoring indicators such as road traffic collisions and incidents of anti-social behaviour. Engineering and asset updates were planned, including details on planned maintenance, significant maintenance impacts on the ferry service, and progress on capital programme projects such as the platform management system upgrade and the Bridge to Zero decarbonisation study.

For the Tamar Bridge, the report was to provide figures on eastbound tolled traffic volume and compare them to the previous year. It would also detail bridge and lane availability, noting factors impacting these, such as ongoing work by National Highways on the Saltash Tunnel. Journey times and other KPI monitoring indicators, including road traffic collisions and anti-social behaviour, were also scheduled for review. Engineering and asset updates for the bridge were to cover planned maintenance, impacts on service delivery, and capital programme activity, including supplementary cable repairs and toll booth replacements.

The report was also to provide an update on the Visitor and Learning Centre, detailing key activities such as the Torpoint Ferry exhibit and workshops for home-educated families. General and corporate matters were to include staff statistics, an update on the 2026-27 Pay Policy, and progress on the Tamar 2050 programme, including the Social and Economic Impact Assessment and Open Road Tolling business case. Toll revenue figures for the reporting period and rolling 12-month periods were to be presented, along with statistics on tag usage and payment methods. Health and safety, environment, and communications and engagement activities were also to be covered.

2025-26 Budget Monitoring Report

The committee was scheduled to review the budget monitoring statement and forecast outturn position for the financial year 2025-26, based on information available up to the end of January 2026. The report was to detail the current expenditure and income, comparing it to the revised forecast and providing an update on the capital programme.

The revenue position was expected to show an overall surplus, with a forecast outturn for the financial year. The report would highlight variances within the Bridge, Ferry, and Corporate cost centres, explaining any significant deviations from the revised forecast. Income figures, particularly concerning cash tolls, were to be analysed, noting any continued volatility.

The capital programme update was to detail expenditure to date against the forecast for the year, highlighting key areas of spending such as the Ferry Refit, Bridge Protective Coating, and Supplementary Cable Works. The report was also to provide information on the forecast reserve position at the end of March 2026.

2026-27 Pay Policy

The committee was scheduled to consider the draft 2026-27 Pay Policy for approval. This policy outlines Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee's policies relating to pay for all staff employed by the undertaking. The document details the governance arrangements for pay and conditions, the pay strategy, and considerations for equalities and gender pay. It was to provide information on remuneration for Chief Officers and senior officers, as well as the general remuneration of employees, including the pay structure and job evaluation processes. The pay multiple, pay on appointment, recruitment payments, and pension arrangements were also to be covered. The policy statement also details other terms and conditions, employment policies, payments on termination of employment, and re-employment of employees. Appendices were to provide details of pay scales and allowances, payments for overtime, weekend working, public holidays, shift work, and other allowances.

The meeting also included provisions for public questions, where members of the public could ask questions relating to the committee's business.