Issue - meetings

Since the late 19^th century we have been building coastal defences along the shoreline at the base of the cliff to prevent coastal erosion. However, whilst the introduction and evolution of coastal defences along the base of the cliffs have been very successful in stopping coastal erosion by marine action, they were not successful in stopping cliff instability landwards of the coastal defences.

Consequently, borough engineers between the 1950s to 1990s undertook extensive cliff stabilisation works and ongoing maintenance of a variety of engineering measures. However, from the 1990s onwards, due to a loss of knowledge/experience as engineers left the local authorities and were not replaced, combined with a reduction in funding, the approach to cliff stabilisation works has been much more one of reacting to events rather than proactively intervening with cliff stabilisation works and maintaining those systems installed in the period 1950s-1990s.

In recognition of the  challenges of cliff instability, since 2022 the South West Flood & Coastal team have been leading the development of a new BCP Cliff Management Strategy (CMS) which aims to provide a single, consistent and integrated approach to managing each section of cliff along the BCP coast, such that decisions made by various service areas in BCP Council are based on a common understanding of the risks posed by future cliff erosion and instability which arise from a range of factors including the impacts of climate change. The CMS is due to complete by March 2026 and the paper provides details on what it will produce.

After March 2026, there will need to be funding provided to enable the ongoing maintenance of the new systems and processes established by the CMS. In addition, there will be a  need to provide funding for both maintenance of the various cliff management systems across the BCP coast and, in places, the construction of new cliff stabilisation works where we continue to have cliff slips and falls – such as at West Cliff.

The Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'C' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Since the late 19th century, coastal defences had been built along the shoreline at the base of the cliff to prevent coastal erosion. However, while the introduction and evolution of these defences had been very successful in stopping coastal erosion caused by marine action, they had not been successful in preventing cliff instability landwards of the coastal defences.

Consequently, borough engineers between the 1950s and 1990s undertook extensive cliff stabilisation works and carried out ongoing maintenance of a variety of engineering measures. From the 1990s onwards, however, due to a loss of knowledge and experience as engineers left the local authorities and were not replaced—combined with a reduction in funding—the approach to cliff stabilisation became much more reactive, responding to events rather than proactively intervening or maintaining the systems installed during the 1950s–1990s.

In recognition of the challenges posed by cliff instability, from 2022 the South West Flood & Coastal team led the development of a new BCP Cliff Management Strategy (CMS). This aimed to provide a single, consistent, and integrated approach to managing each section of cliff along the BCP coast, ensuring that decisions made by various service areas within BCP Council were based on a common understanding of the risks posed by future cliff erosion and instability arising from a range of factors, including the impacts of climate change.

The CMS had been scheduled for completion by March 2026, and the paper provided details on its intended outputs. After March 2026, funding would have been required to support the ongoing maintenance of the new systems and processes established by the CMS. Additionally, further funding would have been needed for the maintenance of various cliff management systems across the BCP coast and, in certain areas, the construction of new cliff stabilisation works where cliff slips and falls continued to occur—such as at West Cliff.

The Committee discussed the report and responses to queries were provided, including:

• The Committee was advised that historical gaps in cliff maintenance may have contributed to recent landslips, alongside extreme weather events. Officers confirmed that engineering knowledge is being rebuilt internally to support long-term resilience.
• In response to a query raised regarding the estimated £41 million revenue requirement, the Committee was advised that this figure includes reactive works and maintenance but does not fully account for future climate impacts or population growth.
• The Committee was advised that approximately 6,000 properties are at risk over the next 100 years, with a combined estimated value of £1.5 billion.
• The Committee was advised that sand drain clearance has begun in priority areas, with inspections ongoing. A full clearance programme is not yet funded, but work is being prioritised through the Cliff Management Working Group.
• In response to a query raised regarding private landowner responsibilities, the Committee was advised that education and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19