Issue - meetings

The existing Poole Bay, Poole Harbour and Wareham Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Strategy was completed in 2014 and set out a sustainable approach to managing the risk of coastal flooding and erosion to over 10,000 properties up to 2115. Since then, the programme of projects it identified for the next 15-20 years has been progressed, with many either delivered or in the process of being delivered.

There have also been many changes in climate change, environmental guidance, and funding rules, as well as new risk mapping and more monitoring data, so it is timely to review and update the FCERM Strategy to account for these factors and look further into the future to assess if the envisioned 2115 coast suggested in the 2014 Strategy is still correct, or if adjustments are needed on the pathway to long term sustainable coastal flooding and erosion risk management. 

This Cabinet report is seeking approval to progress procurement of specialist consultancy services to develop the strategy using FCERM Grant in Aid (GiA) funding which has been secured from the Environment Agency.  This work will ultimately lead to an updated FCERM Strategy approved by the Environment Agency against which subsequent studies, schemes and beach management plans can be developed, without the need to assess the strategic options on a site-by-site basis for each scheme. This will provide the basis for future FCERM-GiA bids for schemes to mitigate the risk of flooding or erosion to the residents and businesses in the Poole Bay and harbour area. There will be zero net cost to BCP council in producing the Strategy.