Decision details

A report was presented to Cabinet proposing options for the future of the Port of Ramsgate.  The report discusses market opportunities and describes recent work to develop options for future port delivery, with the objective of creating a sustainable and financially resilient business model, alongside an increase in local employment.

Cabinet agreed:

1.  To approve the future model for delivery of the Commercial Port as set out in Option 5, in Section 10 (of the cabinet report);

2.  To give delegated authority to the Chief Executive Officer to develop the procurement framework and process to be followed, to secure a port operator in accordance with Section 11 of this report;

3.  To give delegated authority to the CEO to conduct an open and competitive tendering process in order to make a recommendation to Cabinet to secure a Port Operator, based on the proposed scoring criteria; following which the CEO is authorised to negotiate and award a concession contract and enter into an accompanying lease, in accordance with Section 11 of this report;

4.  To give delegated authority to the CEO to conduct negotiations with the aggregate operator, which will be subject to a best value exercise to ensure the agreed proposals add value to the Port of Ramsgate, the Council, and its communities. Negotiations will also cover any requirements in terms of formal approvals required being achievable for the expansion. The agreed proposals will be recommended by the CEO to Cabinet for approval. Following this, the CEO is authorised to enter into a subsequent contractual agreement with an accompanying new (or revised existing) lease with the aggregate operator.

The decision was required to inform the strategic direction and next steps to deliver a successful and sustainable port offering at Ramsgate. The decision will facilitate further diversification of port business supported in part by the investment already allocated through the Levelling Up Funded project at the Port.

The report included 7 delivery options for the future of the port. The recommended option was selected as it is considered to have the lowest overall level of risk and will allow the Council to retain control over how the port is managed and run.