Issue - meetings

Cabinet discussed proposals for approval to undertake the procurement and award of a contract to purchase a replacement boat hoist for Ramsgate Royal Harbour and to delegate authority to the Director of Environment to agree the final terms and sign the contract with the successful bidder.

The boat hoist was a key asset to Ramsgate Royal Harbour, generating an income of around £95,000 per year through its use and the boat hardstanding area. The existing boat hoist at Ramsgate Royal Harbour was 30 years old and was showing signs of wear. During the last LOLER inspection, the boat hoist was downgraded to 32.5tonnes instead of the original 40 tonnes. The cost to restore the boat hoist to its 40 tonne capacity would be £67,000.

Due to the age of the vehicle, keeping it in a suitable operational condition would incur large costs year on year, which were additional to the £67,000, which would need to be spent now. These costs were not currently accounted for in the Ramsgate Royal Harbour budget. The Ramsgate Royal Harbour long term tenants such as ESL pilotage, RNLI lifeboats and the fishing fleet required the boat hoist to be able to lift more than 32.5 tonnes and for this reason were travelling to Dover for Boat Hoist and repair services.

The cost of a new boat hoist was budgeted for as part of the £674,000 2024/25 budget in the Maritime Vehicle & Equipment Replacement Programme. The cost of a new machine was in the region of £260,000 to £300,000. The new boat hoist would restore the ability to lift to 40 tonnes at Ramsgate Royal Harbour.

Councillor Everitt proposed, Councillor Keen seconded and Cabinet agreed the following:

1.  To approve the key decision to award a contract with a value in excess of £250,000 to supply the new boat hoist at the Ramsgate Royal Harbour, following a procurement exercise;

2.  To delegate authority to the Director of Environment to agree the final terms and sign the contract with the successful bidder.

Tony Marmo, Head of Coastal and Public Realm introduced the report and made the following comments:

• This report sets out proposals for Cabinet’s approval to undertake the procurement and award of a contract to purchase a replacement boat hoist for Ramsgate Royal Harbour and to delegate authority to the Director of Environment to agree the final terms and sign the contract with the successful bidder;
• The boat hoist is a key asset to Ramsgate Royal Harbour, generating an income of around £95,000 per year through its use and the boat hard-standing area;
• The existing boat hoist at Ramsgate Royal Harbour is 30 years old and is showing signs of wear. During the last LOLER inspection, the boat hoist was downgraded to 32.5tonnes instead of the original 40 tonnes. The cost to restore the boat hoist to its 40 tonne capacity will be £67,000;
• Due to the age of the vehicle, keeping it in a suitable operational condition will incur large costs year on year, which are additional to the £67,000, which would need to be spent now. These costs are not currently accounted for in the Ramsgate Royal Harbour budget;
• The Ramsgate Royal Harbour long term tenants such as ESL pilotage, RNLI lifeboats and the fishing fleet require the boat hoist to be able to lift more than 32.5 tonnes and for this reason are travelling to Dover for Boat Hoist and repair services;
• The cost of a new boat hoist was budgeted for as part of the £674,000 2024/25 budget in the Maritime Vehicle & Equipment Replacement Programme. The cost of a new machine is in the region of £260,000 to £300,000.

Tony Marmo then requested that the Overview and Scrutiny Panel review the report and consider any representations it wished to make to Cabinet ahead of its meeting on 25 June 2024.

The Panel discussed the report and asked what the size of the tonnage will be for the new boat hoist and whether any insurance arrangements had been made.

Tony Marmo and Matthew Kenney advised the Panel that the new boat hoist will have a capacity of 40 tonnes and will be a like for like replacement of the existing boat hoist. The insurance cover was in place, under the Council’s current insurance arrangements.

The Panel noted the report.