Could you manage Ventnor Harbour for just under £500,000 for five years?
The Isle of Wight council has unveiled plans to bring a third party in to manage the harbour as it looks to take a step back.
In the longer term, though, the council has not ruled out selling off the harbour.
It could also see improvements to the small harbour that was built nearly 30 years ago and suffers from an expensive seaweed problem.
Contract starting next April
Earlier this year, Cllr Phil Jordan, cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, said discussions with different parties about taking on the harbour from the Isle of Wight Council were in their infancy.
Now the council is looking for someone to provide management of the harbour, starting in April next year and running until the end of March 2028 at a cost of £485,775.
The outsourcing, the council says, would realise a significant annual saving.
What it includes
The contract states the potential supplier will be expected to manage all aspects of the harbour including — but not limited to — supervision, berthing income collection, maintenance, statutory returns and the removal of seaweed.
Seaweed removal is currently contracted to Cheetah Marine, at an increased price tag of £103,000 this year.
This expense would instead be covered by the management company, along with other expenditure.
Income from mooring fees
The council says the successful operator will benefit from the income derived from mooring fees, but also may be able to implement improvements to generate additional income.
IWC to dispose of freehold
Documents for the contract reveal the council’s intention to ‘dispose of the freehold of the harbour’.
To do so would require either a Harbour Revision Order or having the statutory port designation removed.
The council says, in the five-year contract term, it will seek to deliver one of those options.
Not a new idea
It is not the first time the idea of selling Ventnor Harbour has been tabled with reports going back to 2018.
In 2019, the council looked to dispose of Ventnor Harbour at the same time as Ryde Harbour, but instead decided to take on a separate market testing exercise.
Ryde harbour
Ryde Town Council took over the harbour in April this year, but the Isle of Wight council has been less successful with ventures for Ventnor Harbour.
The council’s harbour committee is meeting tomorrow (Wednesday, 28th September) and will receive an update on the procurement process and the number of submissions made.
Bids for the contract close today (27th September).
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
Image: © Chi Bellami
