Newlyn Pier & Harbour Commissioners’ Update

Following the July meeting of Newlyn Pier & Harbour Commissioners (NP&HC), the appointment of two representatives from Cornwall Council to the Board and the ongoing progress of the Newlyn Marine Skills & Resource Centre are among the latest developments at the Port.

Newlyn Harbour, as a trust port and Statutory Harbour Authority, is governed by its own unique legislation (The Newlyn Pier and Harbour Orders 1906-2010). It is controlled by a Board of Commissioners, appointed for their skills, knowledge and experience. Two commissioners are appointed by Cornwall Council.

As a result of recent local authority elections and the ensuing new administration at County Hall, Cornwall Council has confirmed these two appointees as Cllr Jim McKenna and Cllr Thalia Marrington.

Cllr McKenna is the Cornwall Councillor for the Penzance Promenade ward and newly-installed Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health Partnerships.

Cllr Marrington is the Cornwall Councillor for the Mousehole, Newlyn & St Buryan ward and newly-installed Cabinet member for Community Safety & Public Health.

“On behalf of the Board, I welcome Cllr McKenna and Cllr Marrington as the Cornwall Council appointees to our Board of Harbour Commissioners and look forward to continuing to work with them to secure the prosperity of the Newlyn Harbour Estate for the Cornish fishing fleet and our wider community,” said Chair of NP&HC, Paul Durkin.

The build of the Newlyn Marine Skills & Resource Centre is progressing well with the groundworks having been completed and its steel frame constructed.

“We will be inviting expressions of interest from education/training providers in August to share occupancy of the building in early 2026,” comments Newlyn Harbour Master & CEO, Jonathan Poynter. “Details will be published on our website soon.”

The summer programme of routine maintenance at Newlyn Harbour is also well underway.

On the Mary Williams Pier, 24 new mooring bollards have been installed and coping stone repairs have been undertaken.

Twelve fender piles, which are the vertical posts that act as a buffer between boats and piers to prevent damage during berthing or manoeuvring, are also in the process of being installed, along with six new floating timber fenders.

Restoration work continues at the Old Quay and quotes are being sought to implement repairs to the outer wall of the South Pier, following a recent assessment of its gradual deterioration.

For most harbour users, issues with the private potable water supply at Newlyn Harbour have been resolved. Those users that are still affected have been notified and alternative provision has been put in place.

“We are sorry that this has impacted users of Newlyn Harbour for such a long period of time, and we are pleased that a more normal level of service has now resumed,” says Jonathan Poynter. “There are outstanding issues to resolve, which have highlighted a long-term risk that we are seeking to address, and we will provide further updates in due course.”

Recent changes to waste management services to comply with regulatory requirements and the escalating costs of waste removal have been well-received by harbour users.

These include the locking of bulk waste receptacles, reducing the number of large wheelie bins and the new requirement that vessels provide advance notification of their waste requirements before berthing at Newlyn Harbour.

Early indications are that these changes are making a positive impact by reducing careless use and fly tipping.

“Alongside our ongoing programme of maintenance, we are now gearing up for sardine season, having recently bid farewell to the Scottish prawn fleet, which is now heading north,” adds Jonathan Poynter. “The fishing community is at the heart of everything we do and we are committed to supporting them in every way possible.”

NP&HC Board meetings take place on a bi-monthly basis on the first Friday of alternate months