THE DEPARTMENT for Transport has reiterated that it will not interfere with the running of Newlyn's Harbour Commission following a meeting with the chairman last week.
In a statement to The Cornishman, a DfT spokesperson said: "DfT officials met Gilbert McCabe, the Chairman of the Board of Newlyn Harbour Commissioners, last week.
"It was agreed that the constitution provides the tools for the Harbour Commissioners to manage the port effectively. The management of any trust port is for its Board to decide within its statutory powers."
"The Board is accountable for its decisions, both to the public and before the courts.
"It would be inappropriate for central Government to intervene in the management of a port."
Accountable
The statement followed the news that for the second successive month, the harbour commission has postponed its monthly meeting scheduled for yesterday due to the "indisposition" of Mr McCabe.
The second deferral means the port authority has not met since June 1 and is yet to discuss a disputed secret ballot held on May 31 at which a decision was made to evict three commissioners from their posts.
Although, two of those members, Nick Howell and John Lambourn, have since been listed as commissioners, the third, Juliet Taylor, has not, despite her claims she is a valid member of the authority.
The future of two other former commissioners, Kevin Bennetts and Elizabeth Stevenson, whose 12-month terms have expired, is also yet to be discussed.
Administrator Elaine Baker confirmed the commission was currently seeking an alternative date for the meeting in August; otherwise, the next official date for a meeting is September 7.
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