Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee - 1 August 2025

The Committee elected its Joint Chairmen for the 2025‑26 year, with Councillor Long appointed Joint Chairman (Cornwall) and Councillor Freeman appointed Joint Chairman (Plymouth). No declarations of interest were recorded. The minutes of the previous meeting held on 7 March 2025 were approved after correcting a typographical error and adding comments concerning the ferry’s power sources.

A single public question was raised regarding the £269,000 projected expenditure on the Heritage and Learning Centre for 2025‑26 and the associated forecast increase in debt of £8.667 million. The Committee responded that the Centre is mandated by the 1998 Tamar Bridge Act, was established with National Lottery Heritage Fund assistance, and delivers educational and outreach programmes. Its budget represents 1.3 % of total spending, is partially offset by generated income, and is slated to fall by an inflation‑adjusted £100,000 in later years. The Committee noted that overall capital investment in the crossings will exceed £12 million this year, but that capital spending is expected to decline over the following three years, resulting in net debt repayments.

During the review of the General Manager’s Quarterly Report, officers clarified several operational points: Journey‑time data are sourced from Google Analytics via mobile‑phone signals; feedback on an unsuccessful ferry de‑carbonisation bid will be incorporated into future applications; and a missed toll‑revision implementation has cost approximately £700,000. Members expressed concern about the cost methodology for retro‑fitting ferries with electric propulsion, and the Governance and Finance Manager suggested a low‑carbon conversion of one existing craft to inform future design. The Committee also highlighted ongoing energy‑saving measures, such as solar panels at the Torpoint bridge office. A proposal to hold a training workshop for Members in September – covering finance, open‑road tolling and the Tamar 2050 Programme – was moved and seconded, and subsequently adopted.

The Budget Outturn Report for 2024‑25 was examined, with a correction noted that the “R&M Buildings and Grounds” line should read “minor underspend” rather than “overspend.” Members observed that energy and water consumption appear efficient, supporting net‑zero objectives, and raised a risk‑register issue concerning cash reserves falling below the £3 million threshold, though officers explained the risk was mitigated by secured toll‑increase approval. The Committee approved the 2024‑25 outturn report, subject to audit, and also approved the draft Annual Governance Statement. Finally, the Budget Monitoring Report for 2025‑26 was presented and recorded.