Thanet District Council’s Cabinet approved a five-year hydrodynamic dredging contract worth up to £1.262 million for the Port of Ramsgate, and a £425,000 contract to replace the passenger lifts at its Cecil Street offices in Margate, at an extraordinary meeting on 22 July 2026 — decisions now confirmed in minutes published with the agenda for Cabinet’s 27 August meeting.

Thanet District Council’s Cabinet approved two significant spending decisions at an extraordinary meeting held on 22 July 2026, according to the minutes of that meeting, which were published with the agenda for the Cabinet meeting of 27 August 2026.

Ramsgate harbour dredging

Cabinet approved the procurement and award of a term contract for hydrodynamic dredging — also known as water injection dredging — at the Port of Ramsgate and Ramsgate Royal Harbour. The contract carries an estimated value of £1.262 million over a maximum five-year term, comprising a three-year core contract with a two-year extension option, and is to be funded through an existing annual revenue budget of £325,500.

The minutes record that regular dredging forms a key part of the council’s ongoing maintenance strategy to ensure required water depth levels are maintained for vessels to move safely. The council holds a statutory duty to maintain safe navigational water depth levels and ensure compliance with the open port duty, and successful dredging campaigns had already been carried out earlier in 2026.

Councillor Rick Everitt proposed and Councillor Keen seconded the decision, with Councillor Davis speaking on the item under Council Procedure Rule 20.1. Cabinet agreed that the Director of Environment, having sought advice from legal services, would agree the final terms of any contract award and sign the contract with the successful bidder.

Cecil Street office lifts

Cabinet also approved a contract worth an estimated £425,000 to renew the passenger lifts, operating equipment and motors at the council’s Cecil Street offices in Margate. The minutes record that both lifts are over 50 years old and have reached the end of their effective operational and economic life, with repairs becoming increasingly difficult because faulty parts are no longer manufactured.

Work to keep the lifts operational using approved salvage parts was described as only a temporary solution, and the council holds a duty under the Equality Act to ensure public buildings remain accessible for staff and residents. Cabinet was informed that the works would be fully funded from the Better Care Fund, subject to final policy sign-off by the head of service.

Councillor Duckworth proposed and Councillor Albon seconded the decision. Cabinet agreed that the Director of Place would negotiate the final terms and sign the contract with the successful bidder following a procurement exercise.

Sources

Top image: illustrative, computer-generated. Illustrative AI-generated image of a harbour dredging vessel — this is not a photograph of the Port of Ramsgate or any real identifiable location.