Issue - meetings

Report of Director of Service Delivery

Lead Cabinet members: Councillors Matthew Bird and Emily O’Brien

(Key decision):

(1) To authorise the Chief Executive to agree to enter into Memorandum of Understanding.

(2) To authorise the Council to work in partnership with the Environment Agency to explore the options viable to manage the risks posed by the undefended cliffs at The Esplanade, Telscombe Cliffs.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Service Delivery, requesting the Chief Executive to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Environment Agency.

Recognising the complexities and technical difficulties posed at Telscombe Cliffs, the MoU would help better understand what viable options exist for managing the risks posed by cliff erosion at Telscombe Cliffs. Subject to Cabinet’s approval, the Environment Agency would take a lead role on the project.

The Cabinet expressed thanks to Tim Bartlett, Specialist Adviser for Flood and Coastal Risk Management, and Tim Whelan, Director of Service Delivery, for their work in brokering this MoU.

Policy and Performance Advisory Committee (PPAC), held on 30 November 2020, considered the report and were supportive of the recommendations in full. Vice Chair, Councillor Liz Boorman, was in attendance to present PPAC’s discussion.

Resolved (Key decision):

(1) To authorise the Chief Executive to agree to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding.

(2) To authorise the Council to work in partnership with the Environment Agency to explore the options viable to manage the risks posed by the undefended cliffs at The Esplanade, Telscombe Cliffs.

Reason for decisions:

By entering into the Memorandum of Understanding with the Environment Agency, their larger technical capability and resources can be utilised to seek an appropriate solution to managing the risks posed by an eroding coast at this location.