6 December 2013. Cornwall Council Offers to Support Hayle Harbour Trust

The Trust has received welcome backing from Cornwall Council in our bid to take over Hayle Harbour for the community. Peter Marsh, Corporate Director of Environment said “I am writing to offer the support of Cornwall Council to the Hayle Harbour Trust’s Community Interest Company approach”. The council had been considering whether to add Hayle to the list of municipal ports that they manage but, Mr Marsh added, “Given the current economic climate and uncertainty around local government finances it would not be prudent for the Council to take on the management of the Harbour.”
John Bennett, chair of the Trust and former Hayle mayor, said: “Taking on the management of the harbour, which has suffered many years of neglect and damage, is a daunting task. Having the support of Cornwall Council will be vital for a successful outcome. We are also grateful for the support we have received from our ward councillors, John Pollard and John Coombe and from local MPs, George Eustice and Andrew George – and from many local people who have given their time freely.”
The next step is to finalise the terms of the transfer with harbour owners ING Real Estate (UK) Ltd.
The Hayle Harbour Trust was set up following a public meeting of the Hayle Residents Association in January 2010 and subsequently registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee. It was granted charity status in 2012.
Hayle Town Councillor Robb Lello, who over the last 40 years has served as a town, district and county councillor, was delighted. “We tried to buy the harbour for the community 20 years ago when the DeSavary plans failed but this time it looks like we will finally succeed. We have so many plans for improving the harbour, we can’t wait to get started.”
The trust will need all the help it can get, so if you have technical expertise in engineering, construction, harbours, finance, legal or anything else, please contact John Bennett at chairman@hayleharbourtrust.org.uk.