Agenda item

Copy attached

It was moved by Councillor Brough, seconded by Councillor Prendergast:

 

Southport Pier Maintenance

 

The recent report undertaken and published by the Council’s nominated Consultants Thomasons included a section (page 5 of the Steelwork Inspection Report) that referred to an earlier consultative report on the condition of Southport Pier in 2017.

At that time the consultants identified remedial works required to be undertaken to the structure - that were costed and estimated at £8.8 m.

 

Quoting from the current report.

 

Quote – “At this time it was decided to adopt a ‘Maintenance Painting’ solution at a cost of £1.5, while continuing to maintain and repair defects as they materialised”.

 

The current condition of the Pier clearly demonstrates that the ‘solution’ has failed.

 

Before the Council embarks upon a campaign to seek funding of more than £13m to repair and refurbish the Southport’s Pier can it be agreed by this chamber, that a realistic and budgeted provision for maintenance of the Pier is included in the Council’s ongoing budgetary provisions and forward plan.

 

The adoption of an approved and costed maintenance provision would demonstrate Sefton Council’s commitment to the Pier’s refurbishment and its protection. It would also give comfort and confidence to external funders who will be concerned that without a formal commitment to ongoing maintenance of the structure, it’s condition may again deteriorate to the point of closure and thereby discourage their appetite to contribute to the restoration project.

 

NOM:

 

Sefton Council recognises the need for a properly costed maintenance budget for the Southport Pier - and that the provision is formerly adopted into Sefton’s ongoing budgetary provision.

 

An amendment was moved by Councillor Atkinson, seconded by Councillor Corcoran that the Motion be revised as follows:

 

Southport Pier Maintenance

 

The recent report undertaken and published by the independent Consultants Thomasons included a section (page 5 of the Steelwork Inspection Report) that referred to an earlier consultative report on the condition of Southport Pier in 2017.  At that time the consultants identified remedial works required to be undertaken to the structure - that were costed and estimated at £8.8 m.

 

The current condition of the Pier clearly demonstrates that the poor workmanship carried out in 2002 left the Council with an inherently flawed structure.  Government cuts to Sefton Council budget profoundly impacted on the council’s ability to invest in assets and services.

 

Quoting from the current report.

 

Quote – “At this time it was decided to adopt a ‘Maintenance Painting’ solution at a cost of £1.5, while continuing to maintain and repair defects as they materialised”.

 

The current condition of the Pier clearly demonstrates failures are systemic from the 2002 refurbishment.

 

The Council has embarked upon a campaign to seek funding of more than £13m to repair and refurbish the Southport’s Pier can it be agreed by this chamber, that a realistic and budgeted provision for maintenance of the Pier is required by Government while the Council remains committed to its annual subsidy and that the subsidy remains included in the Council’s ongoing budgetary provisions and forward plan.

 

The adoption of an approved and costed maintenance provision would demonstrate Government’s commitment to the Pier’s refurbishment and its protection.

 

It would also give comfort and confidence to external funders who will be concerned that without a formal commitment to ongoing maintenance of the structure, its condition may again deteriorate to the point of closure and thereby discourage their appetite to contribute to the restoration project.

 

NOM:

 

1)     Sefton Council recognises the need for a properly costed maintenance budget for the Southport Pier and will ensure it be built into the future tender for structural engineers and the main contractor to produce a full maintenance plan.

 

2)     Will write to the Secretary of State for levelling up requesting a firm commitment to cover both capital and maintenance costs.

 

3)     The Secretary of State be asked to be made aware of the challenges faced by this Council and that he respond to comments from the independent Honorary Secretary of the National Pier Society and Principal Academic in Tourism Management who confirmed unsustainable financial pressure on Sefton and other councils who are custodians of Piers is a theme being seen on a national level.

 

Following a debate on the Amendment the Chief Legal and Democratic Officer officiated a vote and the Mayor declared that the Amendment was carried unanimously.

 

On being put as the Substantive Motion it was carried unanimously and it was:

 

RESOLVED:

 

Southport Pier Maintenance

 

The recent report undertaken and published by the independent Consultants Thomasons included a section (page 5 of the Steelwork Inspection Report) that referred to an earlier consultative report on the condition of Southport Pier in 2017.  At that time the consultants identified remedial works required to be undertaken to the structure - that were costed and estimated at £8.8 m.

 

The current condition of the Pier clearly demonstrates that the poor workmanship carried out in 2002 left the Council with an inherently flawed structure.  Government cuts to Sefton Council budget profoundly impacted on the council’s ability to invest in assets and services.

 

Quoting from the current report.

 

Quote – “At this time it was decided to adopt a ‘Maintenance Painting’ solution at a cost of £1.5, while continuing to maintain and repair defects as they materialised”.

 

The current condition of the Pier clearly demonstrates failures are systemic from the 2002 refurbishment.

 

The Council has embarked upon a campaign to seek funding of more than £13m to repair and refurbish the Southport’s Pier can it be agreed by this chamber, that a realistic and budgeted provision for maintenance of the Pier is required by Government while the Council remains committed to its annual subsidy and that the subsidy remains included in the Council’s ongoing budgetary provisions and forward plan.

 

The adoption of an approved and costed maintenance provision would demonstrate Government’s commitment to the Pier’s refurbishment and its protection.

 

It would also give comfort and confidence to external funders who will be concerned that without a formal commitment to ongoing maintenance of the structure, its condition may again deteriorate to the point of closure and thereby discourage their appetite to contribute to the restoration project.

 

NOM:

 

1)     Sefton Council recognises the need for a properly costed maintenance budget for the Southport Pier and will ensure it be built into the future tender for structural engineers and the main contractor to produce a full maintenance plan.

 

2)     Will write to the Secretary of State for levelling up requesting a firm commitment to cover both capital and maintenance costs.

 

3)     The Secretary of State be asked to be made aware of the challenges faced by this Council and that he respond to comments from the independent Honorary Secretary of the National Pier Society and Principal Academic in Tourism Management who confirmed unsustainable financial pressure on Sefton and other councils who are custodians of Piers is a theme being seen on a national level.