Purpose

Harbour
Walls A & B at Bridport (West Bay) require strengthening and stabilisation
to address deterioration, improve the harbour environment and support economic
activity. Works are also required to the Harbour Master’s Office, for which
pre-construction investigations and surveys are needed to inform design. The
estimated costs exceed £500,000 and therefore require Cabinet approval.

Content

(a)      
That authority be delegated to the Executive
Director for Place to agree a specification for required works, procurement and
award of contracts for harbour wall repairs up to a maximum spend (as shown in
Appendix 1 of the report to Cabinet of 3 March 2026), following consultation
with the Cabinet Member for Place Services and the Section 151 Officer.

 

(b)      
That a series of options for the council owned
buildings affected by the localised ground movement be investigated.

 

Reason for the decision

 

Delegating authority for the overall harbour wall repair
works would ensure that essential stabilisation and repair activity could
proceed in a coordinated and efficient manner, maintaining the safety,
functionality and resilience of key harbour infrastructure. Consultation with
the Cabinet Member for Place Services and the Section 151 Officer would provide
appropriate oversight and financial assurance.

 

The full options for the related buildings could not be
suitably assessed until the works to the walls had been completed. The options
for the buildings would need to be investigated, with a subsequent report
presented to Cabinet if further substantial works were required.