Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: February 16, 2026

Purpose: The Walpole Bay Beach Facilities project forms part of the wider Thanet Regeneration Programme, externally funded by Central Government and aims to deliver essential public amenities at Walpole Bay, including a small cafe and toilets, providing space for commercial and community activities that connect our residents and visitors to the coastline.   While Cabinet previously approved a procurement route using the Dynamic Purchasing System framework in July 2024, the project’s evolution in scale and scope has necessitated a review of the procurement strategy and route to market.   Following feedback from local contractors the council will move to an Open Tender process via the Kent Business Portal, where any interested supplier can submit a bid.

Content: Cabinet is being asked to agree the following recommendations:   1.  To authorise the change in procurement route for Thanet Regeneration Programme project, the Walpole Beach Facilities (formerly Pavilion) works contract. This involves changing from the planned procurement route, which was to use the London Construction Programme Dynamic Purchasing System, to an Open Tender process via the Kent Business Portal.

Reasons for the decision: The project has changed in scale and scope and this, alongside changes to freedoms and flexibilities under the new Local Regeneration Programme, and feedback from local contractors has meant that the procurement strategy for this project has been revisited to consider project risks and opportunities at this time.   Having trialled the London Construction Programme Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS), the council no longer considers the previously proposed procurement route to be the most appropriate for this scheme and is therefore seeking approval to move from using the London Construction Programme, DPS to an Open Tender process via the Kent Business Portal.   An Open Tender process, governed by Contract Standing Orders (CSOs), is a transparent, and competitive procurement method where any interested supplier can submit a bid.   For the reasons set out above the council no longer considers the London Construction Programme, Dynamic Purchasing System to be the most appropriate procurement route for this scheme. The appropriateness of making this change had been fully discussed and agreed with the council’s Procurement team and in consultation with Legal Services.

Alternative options considered: The project team could continue with the project on the basis of the planned procurement route, however, engagement with the market and project scale and scope deemed an open tender more appropriate, therefore this option is not recommended.