The Cornwall Harbours Board met to discuss the annual report, budget, maritime activities, and various projects across Cornwall's harbours. The board approved the annual report, noted the budget monitor, and discussed maritime activity. They also considered a pontoon extension in Truro, land disposal in Bude, and a memorial statue in St Ives, ultimately deciding to reject the proposed location for the statue but offer financial support for the project.

Annual Report 2024-2025

The Harbours Board approved the draft Annual Report 2024-2025 for publication and to be sent to the Full Council. The report outlines the activities of the Harbours Board over the past year and how they align with relevant policies, plans and legislation.

The report highlights that the municipal ports' finances are ring-fenced, meaning any surpluses are reinvested into local harbour operations and infrastructure.

The report also details the board's commitment to the Ports and Marine Facilities Safety Code, including external audits and their outcomes. The audits reported against the following outcomes:

• Non-Compliance: a non-compliance with the requirements of the Code which are a breach of legal obligations or may compromise marine safety, environmental safety or present a significant reputational risk.
• Observation: refers to an improvement opportunity such as an update to information, procedural change, or a non-conformity with local operating instructions.
• Satisfactory: a system component that meets or exceeds the requirements of the Code.

The report also covers pilotage, business plans, port and harbour master plans, compliance, training, commercial, fishing and leisure sector activities, and financial information for each of the harbours.

Budget Monitor April-July 2025

The Board noted and approved the Budget Monitor Report April-July 2025. The report indicates a forecast for a balanced budget across the harbours, with a budgeted contribution of £26,000 from the Cornwall Harbours General Reserve Fund.

Maritime Activity Report (January to July 2025)

The Board noted the Maritime Activity Report which covers incidents, audits, notable movements, projects, risk assessment reviews, and training undertaken across the harbours.

Some key points from the report include:

• Bude Harbour: Repairs to the breakwater, dredging of the lock chamber, and increased use of the slipway by visiting craft.
• Newquay Harbour: Concerns about tombstoning¹ and swimming in the harbour, surfacing repairs at North Quay, and repairs to benches and handrails at Active Cellars.
• St Ives Harbour: Discussions surrounding the St Ives Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) and its impact on harbour users, maintenance work on Smeaton's Lighthouse, and discussions regarding the West Pier Lifeboat Memorial.
• Penzance Harbour: The harbour has been busy with both fish landings and visiting leisure vessels. Work on the Town Deal project is underway, focusing on the former Boston Shed area on West Quay.
• Port of Penryn: A local boat builder launched a sustainable wooden fishing boat that will be exported to France. Two sunken vessels were successfully recovered.
• Prince of Wales Pier, Falmouth: Step repairs are ongoing, and signage has been reintroduced at the top of each set of steps.
• Port of Truro: The purchase of a locally built Cygnus 19, named 'Truronian', which will be used as a harbour launch/water taxi. Work to remove Compton Castle commenced in mid-July at Lemon Quay.

Boscawen Pontoon Extension

The Board discussed a proposal to extend the Boscawen Slipway Pontoon to improve tidal access for users of the slipway. The Truro Canoe Club has secured a grant from the Canoe Foundation subject to match funding. The Board agreed to support the installation of the pontoon by match funding the Canoe Foundation Grant offer, with the Truro Canoe Club purchasing the pontoon and transferring ownership to the Port of Truro for installation and maintenance. A total of £20,000 is requested from the Port of Truro reserve to cover 50% of the pontoon purchase and dredging work.

Bude Harbour Land Disposal

The Board considered a request from Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) for a small area of land in Bude Harbour to extend the current fire station. The Fire Services Audit report states that the station does not comply with the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992. The Board agreed to support the disposal of land to CFRS and the relocation of the Harbour Storage Compound, with the costs of relocation to be met fully by the fire service.

West Pier Lifeboat Memorial Statue

The Board discussed a proposal for a bronze lifeboatman commemorative statue on West Pier in St Ives, intended to honour all who go to sea. The Board decided to reject the proposal to mount the statue on West Pier, but offered financial support of up to £1,000 towards the statue and assistance in negotiations with locating the statue at a suitable location.

Concerns were raised about the use of a working quay for the statue and the potential impact on harbour operations. The St Ives Stakeholder Group conducted a survey, with mixed results regarding the proposed location. Some respondents suggested alternative locations, such as the Island near the Chapel.