Key Updates - Extraordinary Radford House and Custom House Committee

An extra-ordinary meeting of the Council was arranged in order to get approval for work that could be progressed in the New Year; it was not clear whether meetings early in the New Year would be possible because of increasing Covid restrictions. An extra-ordinary meeting gave the opportunity to move business along.

• The Council continues with its good governance of The Custom House, where the council holds a full repairing lease, with various repairs and maintenance work being undertaken and a quinquennial condition survey by a suitably qualified architect arranged. This survey will:
  
  • Note the condition of every aspect of the building, and check for changes.
  • Identify problems which have developed.
  • Check that maintenance standards are appropriate.
  • Identify urgent priorities for repair or conservation.
  • Plan long-term works.
  Undertaking this survey every five years ensures that the Council can keep the building in a good safe condition, and little problems don’t become large costly problems.


• The Council has approved the brief for a Project Manager that will be appointed to manage the next steps of the project to refurbish and redevelop the Grade II listed Radford House (the Old Fire Station on Effingham Street) into a community centre, providing access to activities and services not currently available in the centre of Ramsgate, whilst also restoring and protecting the physical fabric of this historic building.

This is not a summary of everything covered at this meeting, please see the official Minutes for the legal record of the meeting. The above is intended to provide a snapshot of matters that may be of particular interest to residents.

Written by:
Miss Laura Fidler,
Town Clerk & RFO