A council is set to spend £3 million on refurbishing its headquarters – or finding somewhere else to call home.

Leader Cllr Bob Bayford (Con) says the authority’s main office in Cecil Street, Margate is not “fit-for-purpose” and the money has been allocated to implement whatever decision is made.

He told councillors last night: “The point has been made elsewhere that if we tried to rent this building out in its current state, we probably couldn’t because it doesn’t comply with all the rules and regulations such as energy efficiency and so on.

“We are going to be appraising what the right thing to do is – that could be a move, or it could be a refurbishment of this building.

“It’s far too big for us, so it seems a prudent move we should be looking to change that.”

Meanwhile, the authority has also committed to develop a Port of Ramsgate masterplan.

The majority of councillors agreed to scrap £630,000 (£730,000 in a full year) of funding from the council-owned facility due to the lack of an operational ferry service.

And the future of the site will now be assessed, with money allocated to such an appraisal.

Cllr Ian Gregory (Con), cabinet member for financial services and estates, said: “As the hopes for a ferry service from Ramsgate have faded, we should now be looking to develop a masterplan for the Ramsgate port and harbour.

“I can confirm we have set aside funding for a full feasibility study to be carried out to assist council in agreeing the way forward.”

CllrBayford confirmed the work will be “completed by the end of 2019”.