Issue - meetings

Cllr Albon outlined the report explaining that the contract would improve approximately 200 Council owned lamps or posts in the district. This would improve safety and reduce costs to the Council via less maintenance and changing of bulbs.

Cllr Bright spoke under council procedure rule 20.1.

It was proposed by Cllr Albon and seconded by Cllr Duckworth that Cabinet approves expenditure of approximately £333k for the replacement and/or upgrade of lighting provision at various locations within the district. The funding consists of a £283k capital budget and a contribution of up to £50k from Broadstairs and St Peter’s Town Council for lighting works at Broadstairs Harbour and Victoria Parade.

Members AGREED

Mike Humber introduced the report making the following key points: 

• The LED Street Lighting Contract was a capital scheme in the 2023/24  programme. 

• The Council was responsible for approximately 500 street lights around the  district. 

• This contract would lead to improvements to approximately 200 street lights, with  works including either a new LED lamp, a brand new entire LED fitting or a new  column. 

• Through stakeholder engagement with Broadstairs Town Council there had been  a contribution secured to undertake works at Victoria Parade and Broadstairs  Harbour.

• Tender documents had been prepared. The planned time scale was for works to  begin in January 2024 and completed by July 2024. 

• The light improvements were all across the district. 

Members commented and asked the following questions: 

• Concerns were raised regarding Broadstairs Town Council’s contribution, officers  were asked to ensure that the contribution would be used to cover lighting  upgrade costs in specific parts noted by the Town Council and not in other parts  of the district. 

• Was there a prioritisation of areas? 

• Would heritage columns be maintained and preserved? 

• What were the locations of the street lights which would be updated? 

• Did the scheme include sturgeon lights? 

Mike Humber responded to members comments and questions: 

• The contribution was for enhanced lighting. The contribution wouldn’t be spent  elsewhere, it would be spent on Victoria Parade and at the Harbour. 

• There was a prioritisation of areas across the district. Minimising impact was of  high importance. 

• The majority of work did not include the columns and focussed on the lamps  themselves. This would be further looked into. 

• These were across the district. Further detail would be provided. 

• The scheme did not include the sturgeon lights. This is detail which would be  further looked into. 

Members noted the report.