The Cornwall Harbours Board meeting scheduled for 15 January 2026 was set to review maritime activity and financial performance across the county's harbours. Discussions were planned to cover operational reports from September to December 2025, alongside a detailed budget monitor for April to November 2025.

Maritime Activity Report - September to December 2025

The board was scheduled to receive a comprehensive report detailing maritime activity across various harbours in Cornwall between September and December 2025. This report, compiled by Vicky Fraser, Service Director for Environment and Connectivity, and Chris Jones, Maritime Manager, aimed to provide an overview of incidents, audits, notable movements, projects, risk assessment reviews, and training undertaken. The report's purpose was to assure the board that all harbour activity was being recorded and brought to their attention, with no direct financial or legal implications.

The report included detailed accounts from individual harbours:

• Bude Harbour: The report was expected to cover challenges faced due to unfavourable weather and low river levels, leading to the sea lock being out of service for extended periods. It was also to detail repairs to the breakwater and events hosted at the harbour, such as the Club Triumph Round Britain Reliability Run and the Awesome Foursome Quadrathlon.
• Newquay Harbour: This section was anticipated to address ongoing concerns about tombstoning and swimming in the harbour, despite improved signage. It was also to report on notable movements, including the challenging arrival of the MFV Ros-Min, and upcoming events like fireworks displays and discussions with the organisers of Boardmasters. Maintenance and project updates, including repairs to benches and railings, were also to be included.
• Portreath Harbour: The report was expected to note regular inspections and repairs to railings and paths, with potential future repairs needed for the harbour walls due to its exposed location. A lease agreement for a sauna and event area on the former Crazy Golf site was also to be mentioned.
• St Ives Harbour: The report was to outline the tapering off of harbour activity as seasonal weather patterns shifted, with many vessels being removed for winter storage. Discussions were planned regarding changes to traffic flow and their potential impact on revenue from Smeatons Pier car park. The operation of the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) and proposed improvements were also to be covered, alongside maintenance of moorings, damage to a quay ladder, refurbishment of benches, and repairs to harbour steps. Deterioration of timber baulks and steel supports on Smeaton's Pier Arches and planned repairs were also to be discussed.
• Penzance Harbour: The report was to detail the recovery of boats for winter storage and the disposal of end-of-life lifeboats. It was also to highlight the upgrade of a local passenger boat operator's vessel, the relocation of a swimming pontoon, and the utilisation of wet dock space for the Scillonian III. Information on freight and project cargo sailings to the Isles of Scilly, and the fitting out of a relief vessel, were also to be included. Updates on the Town Deal project, including resurfacing of West Quay and demolition works, were to be provided, alongside details of ongoing projects and maintenance, including a water break tank pump issue and proposals for West Quay with the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company.
• Penryn Harbour: The report was expected to cover the harbour's thriving multi-functional nature and efforts to develop a long-term master plan. It was to detail work on mapping wrecks and vessels at risk, and the departure of the neglected vessel NY VERNE. The mobilisation of a crane for the installation of solar trees and the positive impact of new café owners on the quay were also to be mentioned. Environmental clean-up efforts in Sailors Creek and the relocation of unlicensed vessels were to be reported, alongside stakeholder engagement, including discussions on the potential for Penryn to become a tuna landing point.
• Prince of Wales Pier, Falmouth: The report was to confirm the pier's normal operation, supporting passenger services and local businesses, with a note on a damaged step awaiting repair. The success of the Cheese and Compass shop and infrastructure developments, including the fitting of new support bars to pier benches, were to be discussed. Challenges related to late-night fishing, such as broken lights and discarded gear, and plans for tasteful signage and patrols were to be outlined. Quotes for replacement kiosks as part of a broader regeneration of Market Strand and the Pier were to be presented, alongside ongoing stakeholder engagement to shape the pier's future.
• Port of Truro: The report was to mention boats overwintering afloat on the River Pontoons and regular patrols. The arrival of the Mounts Bay Lugger Association's Happy Return was to be noted, along with the closure of the Heron Farmshop and Café. Projects and maintenance were to include work on the roundabout site, proposals for Lighterage Quay following the end of a tenant's lease, and a structural failure of a pontoon at Ruan. Toilet and shower proposals at Malpas Marina and the disposal of end-of-life lifeboats were also to be covered. Town Deal updates were to include work commencing on Lemon Quay and Town Quay, dredging plans, and proposals for a manually operated Swing Bridge. Shed 7's awaited electrical connection was also to be mentioned.
• Portscatho: The report was to note the handover of the Harbour Master role from Simon Taffinder to his son, Ben Taffinder.
• Downderry: The report was to mention ongoing work towards devolution of the site and upcoming meetings with the Parish Council.
• Portwrinkle: The report was to detail damage to the harbour wall caused by recent storms and ongoing repair work.
• Saltash: The report was to highlight continued close work with Saltash Town Council regarding the Jubilee Pontoon and repairs to Town Pier and the revetment following storm damage.

Budget Monitor - April 2025 to November 2025

The board was scheduled to review the Cornwall Harbours Board Budget Monitor report for the period of April to November 2025. This report, prepared by Jo Smith, Strategic Finance Manager, and Helen Waplington, Service Accountant, aimed to detail the monitoring of the 2025-26 budget and compare the latest forecast against the budget for harbours under the board's control. It was also to detail the balances in the ring-fenced reserves of Port of Truro and Port of Penryn, and the Cornwall Harbours General Reserve Fund. The report indicated a favourable movement of £139,000 from the original budget for the whole harbours position, with an overall forecast under-spend. Specific under-spends were forecast for Port of Truro, Port of Penryn, Newquay Harbour, Prince of Wales Pier, and Portscatho Harbour, while over-spends were forecast for St Ives Harbour, Bude Harbour, and Portreath Harbour. The report recommended that the Board note and approve the Harbour's performance against budget and subsequent reserve movements.

The report included detailed appendices:

• Appendix 1: Revenue Budget Monitor Report April 2025 to November 2025: This appendix provided a breakdown of the budget, forecast, variance, and year-to-date actuals for the overall Cornwall Harbours Board, as well as for individual harbours including Port of Truro, Port of Penryn, Newquay Harbour, St Ives Harbour, Penzance Harbour, Prince of Wales Pier, Bude Harbour, Portreath Harbour, Portscatho Harbour, and Portwrinkle Harbour.
• Appendix 2: Reserves: This appendix detailed the balances and movements in reserves for Port of Truro, Port of Penryn, and the Cornwall Harbours General Reserve Fund. It indicated a net forecast transfer to the Cornwall Harbours General Reserve Fund for 2025/26 of £113,000.

The meeting was scheduled to include standard agenda items such as apologies for absence and declarations of interest, as well as the minutes of the previous meeting held on 13 November 2025. There was also an item for Any Other Business that the Chairman Considers to be of Urgency.