The RNLI has flatly denied not co-operating fully with Wirral Council over the need to temporarily move its lifeboat station and carry out work on its existing compound due to the new flood wall.
A report being considered by the environment, transport and climate change committee next week alleges the local authority only became aware of the issue after the contract for the work was awarded, leading to a half million pound hike in the cost of the project.
However, the RNLI has disputed this version of events, telling West Kirby Today it “made clear [the] operating requirements for both our lifeboats and lifeguards from their present respective sites” as part of a consultation.
As we reported earlier this week, the bill for the scheme has soared by another £4.4 million. It takes the total to over £15 million, with the Environment Agency agreeing to put in the extra money.
The revised figure includes £500k for moving the RNLI station to a temporary site while work is carried out on South Parade, and the demolition of the old lifeboat shed to enable them to continue accessing their current facility when the scheme is complete. West Kirby Today has also learned that the operation of a gate for the RNLI to access the water during flooding is still under discussion and has not yet been resolved.
The report, which outlines the reasons for the variance in the contract price and has been independently assessed, says: “Discussions and conversations have taken place between council officers and the local (West Kirby) RNLI since 2019. The local RNLI have also been formally consulted on the flood alleviation proposals during the planning approval process.
“Despite these ongoing communications, temporary relocation of RNLI at a substantial facility on the council’s car park adjacent to the Sail Loft was required to allow for continuation of their lifesaving operations, due to factors that were only fully shared and worked through after the award of contract to VolkerStevin Ltd.
“The relocation had to be included within a revised lengthened programme. This became a legitimate CE [Compensation Event] relating to time and cost. Accommodation works, including the demolition of the old lifeboat shed in order to facilitate future access and help RNLI manage their future operations was also unforeseen and additional scope to the contract works.”
A separate document to the committee says: “The programme delay and associated costs related to the relocation of the RNLI have been raised at a national level with the RNLI in order to foster greater communication and cooperation at a local level.”
In a section marked “what would be done differently next time”, it states: “Liaison with national organisation at a senior level and at an early stage to ensure that any local issues/concerns/reluctance to engage do not impact at critical stages.”
But the RNLI told us: “Since the project was first introduced, the RNLI has worked closely with the council to discuss any implications for the long-term operation of West Kirby RNLI.
“The council engaged at a local station level during the early concept stages and have engaged with both the lifeguard and lifeboat service prior to works commencing. As part of that consultation, the RNLI made clear operating requirements for both our lifeboats and lifeguards from their present respective sites.
“We continue to work with Wirral Council and are looking forward to continuing our discussions in relation to the operation of the gate, once the lifeboat returns to its original site.”
Cllr Liz Grey, Labour Chair of the environment, transport and climate change committee, said: “Nobody is criticising the fantastic work of local RNLI volunteers and I think I speak for everyone in the Council in saying that I very much appreciate their life saving work. This is why Council ensured that their requirements for temporary accommodation were agreed and the original location resurfaced with much improved access.
“The report from officers is really quite factual in saying that delays in receiving certain information regarding how they needed to function in that location led to delays in the project and additional costs.
“It certainly doesn’t suggest that this was the only or even the main reason that costs went up, but it all adds up and we have to be open and honest about that.”
Meanwhile, Conservative councillors on the committee are planning to call for an investigation into the cost of the scheme, which has soared to almost £10 million above the original budget.
The other issues which have led to the cost spiralling are unforeseen ground conditions, an increase in the cost of materials due to global economic factors and a delay to detailed design work.
Local Conservative councillor, Andrew Gardner, told West Kirby Today: “It is not for the RNLI to engage with Wirral Council, rather for the council to engage with them. This scheme was the council’s idea and it is no fault of the RNLI’s that they have had to up sticks from their base while the work is carried out.
“There is no doubt in my mind that most of these issues could have been foreseen with better planning. We need to know why they were not and why the public purse is now paying over £15 million rather than the £6 million we were originally told it would cost.
“Myself and party colleagues will be calling for the audit and risk committee to investigate and see what lessons can be learned from this sorry episode.”
The scheme is due to be completed by the end of April.
Top photo credit: David Edwards