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To:-
(a) agree the strategy set out in this report and for Officers to
explore external funding options to complete phase 2 of the Leading
Lighthouses and Causeway project;
(b) allocate up to £7,000 from the existing Seafronts
Maintenance contract payment budget code, to fund the initial
Expression of Interest stage application to support this work and
authorise the Assistant Director for Sport, Culture and Leisure to
engage a heritage consultant to prepare funding bids towards
conservation of the Leading Lighthouses; and
(c) request the Assistant Director for Sport, Culture and Leisure
to prepare a report for consideration by Cabinet on the options
available to the Council for conservation of the Leading
Lighthouses and Causeway, once a funding package has been
secured.

Reasons for the decision

Significant progress has been made on the
Dovercourt Leading Lighthouses and Causeway project, including
completion of structural and condition surveys in 2023-2024, which
confirm urgent conservation is required within the next 3-5 years
to prevent further deterioration. These iconic 19th century
structures are listed as ‘Heritage at Risk’ and
identified as a priority in the Council’s Heritage Strategy
and Highlight Priorities for 2025/26.
The next phase focuses on securing external funding and delivering
a collaborative conservation programme to safeguard these landmarks
and enhance community engagement. Immediate action is required to
maintain momentum and meet funding timelines, ensuring long term
preservation of these nationally significant heritage assets.
To enable decisions to be taken on the longer-term aspirations
towards preservation of the Dovercourt Leading Lighthouse and
Causeway heritage assets, agreement to the strategy will enable
momentum to continue. The recommendations will further enable the
exploration of external funding options and for applications to be
submitted to work towards completion of phase 2 of the Leading
Lights and Causeway project and present options back to Cabinet for
consideration.

Alternative options considered

1). The key alternative would be to not
consider recondition works, which would result in the risk of the
structures deteriorating further and potential collapse.
2). The Council could consider funding phase 2 entirely from its
own resources, but due to the overall cost of this work, it would
be exceptionally challenging for this to be achieved.