Agenda item

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.

RESOLVED that Cabinet gives approval to: -

(a)            proceed with the recommended option of undertaking a review and update of the 2014 Poole Bay, Poole Harbour & Wareham Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Strategy in partnership with Dorset Council and the Environment Agency, using funding from FCERM-GiA (£650,000 has been secured);

(b)            proceed with procuring a consultant to produce the FCERM Strategy update via the South Coast FCERM Framework administered by Havant Borough Council on behalf of the Southern Coastal Group area, which includes BCP Council; and

(c)            delegate authority to the Director for Commercial Operations, in consultation with the Director of Finance, to agree the terms of any funding, progression of the technical case and associated future submission.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Climate Response, Environment and Energy

Reason

To review and update the existing strategy for mitigating flood and erosion risk over the next 100 years taking into account the effects of climate change (such as sea level rise and increased storminess) and changes to national funding rules and other guidance that have changed since the existing Strategy was completed in 2014. This supports achievement of the BCP vision for where people, nature, coast and towns come together in sustainable, safe and healthy communities, by contributing the delivery of the following objectives:

• Climate change is tackled through sustainable policies and practice

·       Our green spaces flourish and support the wellbeing of both people and nature.

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 'E' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that the existing Poole Bay, Poole Harbour and Wareham Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Strategy had been 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, and that 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.

Further to this Cabinet was informed that there had also been many changes in climate change, environmental guidance, and funding rules, as well as new risk mapping and more monitoring data, so it was 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. 

Cabinet was advised that the report sought 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, and that 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.

RESOLVED that Cabinet gives approval to: -

(a)            proceed with the recommended option of undertaking a review and update of the 2014 Poole Bay, Poole Harbour & Wareham Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Strategy in partnership with Dorset Council and the Environment Agency, using funding from FCERM-GiA (£650,000 has been secured);

(b)            proceed with procuring a consultant to produce the FCERM Strategy update via the South Coast FCERM Framework administered by Havant Borough Council on behalf of the Southern Coastal Group area, which includes BCP Council; and

(c)            delegate authority to the Director for Commercial Operations, in consultation with the Director of Finance, to agree the terms of any funding, progression of the technical case and associated future submission.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Climate Response, Environment and Energy

Reason

To review and update the existing strategy for mitigating flood and erosion risk over the next 100 years taking into account the effects of climate change (such as sea level rise and increased storminess) and changes to national funding rules and other guidance that have changed since the existing Strategy was completed in 2014. This supports achievement of the BCP vision for where people, nature, coast and towns come together in sustainable, safe and healthy communities, by contributing the delivery of the following objectives:

• Climate change is tackled through sustainable policies and practice

·       Our green spaces flourish and support the wellbeing of both people and nature.