Purpose

The council is a Statutory Harbour Authority with a duty to maintain the Port of Ramsgate and Ramsgate Royal Harbour. This report proposes the approval of a contract for Hydrodynamic Dredging (Water Injection Dredging) to ensure safe navigation. The estimated contract value is £1,262,500 over a maximum term of 5 years (3 years plus a 2-year extension), funded by an existing recurring revenue budget.

Decision

Cabinet agreed the following, to:

1. Approve the key decision to award a contract with a value in excess of £250,000 for Hydrodynamic Dredging at the Port of Ramsgate and Ramsgate Royal Harbour, following a procurement exercise;
2. Agree 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

The council has a statutory duty to conserve ports and harbours under its control and to ensure safe navigation. Regular dredging is required to remove silt buildup, particularly in the port turning circle and outer harbour. Failure to dredge would limit the size of craft able to access the port, reduce revenue, increase operational risk and liability, and risk breaching the open port duty as defined in the Port Marine Safety Code.

Alternative options considered

Reducing the volume of dredging. This was rejected because it would limit the size of craft able to access the port, substantially reduce revenue, increase operational risk and liability regarding vessel groundings, and increase the risk of breaching the Open Port duty, exposing the council to legal risk and potential litigation.