Agenda item

The report set out the situation with the East Quay wall, Watchet and the options that the Council had to maintain this asset into the future. It did not seek approval of a permanent solution for the repair at Splash Point, this would be dealt with separately once possible design options were established, but did request financial approval of the design work for this permanent repair.

For the East Quay wall survey works identified that the wall was not at imminent risk of failure but would benefit from maintenance with some reinforcing in the central and northern sections to ensure that operations could continue into the future, and that a programme of monitoring be put in place for the entire length of the wall. The report challenged the economic advantage of undertaking the reinforcing work to the northern section and proposed alternative options.

The East Quay wall served as part of the structure to create the marina, protects Watchet as a sea defence, and stabilised the East Quay itself. This area was used for boat storage, as a lifting facility for the marina, and a tourism offering. 

The timing of the report was unrelated to the granting of the lease to the Onion Collective as the report identified that this development had a negligible impact on the wall structure and no works to the wall were required to enable the development.

The report identified a budget need for design work and a maintenance solution, therefore a budget request was made for £740k to design a permanent solution to the Splash Point failure and reinforce the central section of the East Quay wall with the associated professional costs. 

From the survey information provided, the southern section required no substantial maintenance works, however a plan for monitoring was required.

It was recommended that the central section would be reinforced to allow for vehicle movements into the boat storage area and crane operations which were a condition of the lease to the marina operator. These could continue at high tide but advice would be provided to the marina operator and Onion Collective concerning low tide. Undertaking this work would also provide for longer term stability for the operation of the marina. 

It is recommended that the northern section is excluded from the reinforcing programme and officers are instructed to work with the marina operator to limit the impact of this decision.

The Authority will undertake a robust procurement activity to ensure that the best options and value are established. We recommend to Members that we further instruct specialists to create the necessary engineering designs for both Splash Point and the central section of East Quay.

We then recommend that the design is put to market with a minimum lifespan requirement. With this quality aspect already set we can then run a procurement activity weighted in favour of price.        

            Upon approval of the recommendations the design and procurement will begin, with works being undertaken on site in 2020 / 21, and completed to a timeline that avoids further disruption on site following the conclusion of the OC development. 

Debate

·        The temporary rock solution to the East Quay, there was likely unseen levels of damage due to the area where the collapse in the wall had occurred. Engineers were closely monitoring the wall and its risk of collapse.

·        Testing of the wall and the temporary measures to fill the breach had ensured the temporary stability of the wall. The costs for a permanent fix to the wall was estimated at £500k which included professional fees and expertise. Clarification was provided that this was an asset the Council owned and not an Environment Agency owned asset.

·        Emphasis was given on a permanent solution being required to repair the wall to full strength. There would be a procurement tendering process for the design and delivery of the works. The works being tendered for were to reinstate the existing size of walls and would not take into account a higher level of wall. Doing so would disperse higher waves elsewhere.

·        Due to the rising sea levels consideration was requested to reflect repairs which took this into account. The Marina operator was responsible for the maintenance of the harbour. The Council were still in contact with the operator to discuss the range of solutions to dredge the harbour, water injection dredging seen on the Somerset Levels would not be effective on compacted mud experienced in the Harbour.

·        The committee welcomed the update being considered at Executive and Full Council and commended the work undertaken by officers and the positive image of the administration which had enhanced its reputation.

Resolved:- The Scrutiny Committee endorse the recommendations that the Executive Full Council approve the following additions to the Capital Programme, which would be funded through borrowing:

i)       Add the following to the Capital Programme for 2019/20

a.     The sum of £100k be allocated to the wall design works at Splash Point and

b.     The sum of £100k be allocated to the wall design works at East Quay

ii)      Add the following to the Capital Programme for 2020/21

a.     The sum of £500k be allocated to reinforce the East Quay wall in the central section and

b.     The sum of £40k for project management resource to deliver this project to its conclusion.