Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Strategic Director of Operations.

Agreed:

RESOLVED that the procurement of a vessel for the purposes set out in the report be approved subject to securing a suitable market valuation and competitive market value.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

The Executive received the report which provided consideration and appraisal to the purchase arrangement for a workboat, to support the Harbour Master in carrying out operations and compliance activities and ensuring that the port was compliant with the Department for Transport’s Port Marine Safety Code (PMSC).

Particular reference was made to:-

·         the port of Exeter needed to be fully equipped to fulfil its statutory duties;

·         the budget for the purchase had been approved by full Council and approval was now being sought to proceed;

·         Port Operations had a duty to manage dangerous vessels and dangerous substances. The ferry fire on the 27^th of November 2024 was a good example of this duty in action.

·         a suitable vessel needed to be coded for open ocean passage, equipped with specialist lifting equipment and suitable for carrying out channel surveys;

·         through a review of boat licencing and registry database, the harbour master had determined that unskippered leases in the local market were unavailable and that skippered leases had cost implications. The only viable current alternative was to purchase a new boat; and

·         the standard procurement policy process had been followed and the £165,000  purchase was funded and signed off.

During the discussion, the following points were made:-

·         would the storage and crew facilities be managed in Exeter or Exmouth?

·         how far off the Exeter coast, would the Councils responsibilities reach?

·         clarification was sought that having approved the £165,000, that the Executive as the Duty Holder were being asked to approve the purchase without going through procurement again?

·         thanks were made to the officer for a thorough report;

·         had the surveyor valuation referenced in the report been carried out? and

·         having an owned and dedicated vessel was important in carrying out statutory functions and responding to incidents.

In response to questions raised, the Head of Service Operations and Portfolio Holder for City Management advised that:-

·         the boundary extended 1.2 miles beyond Exmouth;

·         a market valuation had been completed but hadn’t been sent back as yet;

·         the storage of the boat would be in Exmouth and the crew would operate between the Exmouth and Exeter depot; and

·         the report was presented to the Executive who were the statutory Duty Holders responsible for resourcing and for transparency in the procurement process;

The Chief Executive advised that the Council would continue to follow the standard procurement policy, and further sign off was not required.

The Leader moved the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Wright, voted upon, and CARRIED unanimously.

RESOLVED that the procurement of a vessel for the purposes set out in the report be approved subject to securing a suitable market valuation and competitive market value.