Decision details

Mechanical Dredging Contract

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

The council is a Statutory Harbour Authority and has a duty to maintain the Port of Ramsgate and Ramsgate Harbour. The report proposes that a key decision be approved to award a term contract for mechanical dredging at the Port of Ramsgate and Ramsgate Royal Harbour. This routine maintenance dredging will be funded via an existing recurring revenue budget of  £145,500. The estimated value of the contract will be £72,750 per year over a maximum contract term of 5 years (core term of 3 years with potential for a 2 year extension), making a total estimated contract value of £363,750.

Decision:

Cabinet agreed the following:

 

1. The key decision to award a contract with a value in excess of £250,000 for mechanical dredging at the Port of Ramsgate and Ramsgate Royal Harbour, following a procurement exercise;

 

2. That the Director of Environment, having sought advice from legal services, agree the final terms of any contract award and sign the contract with the successful bidder.

Reasons for the decision:

An Executive Decision is required because the project involves incurring expenditure anticipated to be £250,000 or above.

Alternative options considered:

The council could have decided to undertake a reduced volume of dredging in the Port of Ramsgate and the Ramsgate Royal Harbour but this would overtime limit the size of craft able to access the port and harbour. It would also substantially reduce revenue and increase operational risk and liability in the event of vessel groundings. This option would also increase the risk of a breach of the Open Port duty which would expose the council to legal risk and potential claims and litigation. For this reason this option was not taken forward as a recommendation.

Report author: Tony Marmo

Publication date: 27/09/2024

Date of decision: 26/09/2024

Decided at meeting: 26/09/2024 - Cabinet

Effective from: 05/10/2024

Accompanying Documents: