Issue - items at meetings - Cromer Phase 2 and Mundesley Coastal management Schemes

Executive Summary

The detailed design for the Schemes is now completed, the consenting process and further funding is progressing. We are in the process of reviewing the Construction Phase Proposal.

This report is to give an update on the Schemes as well as recommending next steps.

Options considered

Option 1 - Do not proceed: This option would cease all progression of work and inform funding bodies to reallocate funds to other priorities. The communities of Cromer and Mundesley would not benefit from the coastal protection afforded by the schemes. Such an option would not deliver the intent of the Shoreline Management Plan policies for these locations. Option Discounted.

Option 2 - Seek protection measures further to the proposal: This option would seek to delay delivery in order to seek to raise further funds for additional protection measures. This could inadvertently lead to the loss of the government grant and damage to the localities in the intervening years of seeking to make further arrangements. Given the current economic environment, if we were to delay these schemes any further, the costs of supplies and materials will continue to increase requiring significantly more funding from the Environment Agency. Option Discounted.

Option 3 - Continue with proposed scheme: This option would see the continuation of the scheme as proposed, seeking to maximise on protection to communities and assets. Funding for the proposed scheme is available now including some funding from the EA to cover inflation costs. Recommended Option.

Consultation(s)

In October 2018 both the Cromer Phase 2 and Mundesley Coastal Management Schemes went to Cabinet and were granted support for the schemes to go ahead:

- support the approach outlined in progressing the delivery of the Mundesley Coastal Management Scheme

- endorse the approach outlined in progressing the delivery of the Cromer Coast Protection Scheme Phase 2.

In February 2022 both the schemes returned to Cabinet for the below approvals:

- Support the continued approach of the Mundesley and Cromer Phase 2 Coastal Management Schemes.

- Support of the appointment of Mott MacDonald to complete detailed design and consenting via the Dynamic Purchasing System and additional scope identified to complete the supporting Environmental Impact Assessments.

- Approve construction via the Local Authority SCAPE framework.

- Approve the submission of applications for consents and licences

- Delegate to Director of Place and Climate Change with Portfolio Holder consultation to approve quotations, tenders, funding applications, access agreements and contractual appointments/variations to allow for timely progression of the schemes.

A communication and publicity plan has been put in place for these schemes, which outlines the ongoing and future communications with stakeholders and communities.

The communication plan includes all the following groups:

1) Monthly officer working group meetings

2) Monthly Major Project Board meetings

3) Local Liaison Group meetings - key milestones

4) Town and Parish Council meetings - key milestones

5) Statutory Bodies and Public Consultation for Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and Planning Licences – ongoing

6) Public Drop-In sessions held (7th and 8th March 2023)

7) ... view the full agenda text for item 42

Decision

RESOLVED

To recommend to Full Council:

That Cabinet recommend that full Council:

1) Confirm its continued support for the approach being taken in the delivery of the Mundesley and Cromer Phase 2 Coastal Management Schemes.

2) Delegate the authority to Director of Place and Climate Change, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, to approve quotations, tenders, funding applications, access agreements and contractual appointments/variations. This is so the schemes can continue to progress in a timely manner.

3) Approve increases in the delegated financial authority for the Director of Place and Climate Change (up to £1 million), for the Assistant Director of Place and Climate Change (up to £500,000) and for the Project Manager (up to £100,000) for these two schemes only.

4) Approve an increase to the value of the Cromer and Mundesley coastal protection schemes from £6.476m (approved by full Council on 1 March 2023) to £25m within the Capital Programme. This is subject to securing the additional grant funding of £18.524m for the scheme from the Environment Agency (EA).

5) Approve the descoping of the schemes if the grant funding secured from the EA is less than the Council has applied for so that expenditure will be fully met by the total grant to be awarded by the EA.

Reasons for the decision:

To enable continued and timely progression for the Mundesley and Cromer Phase 2 Coastal Management Schemes.

An increase to the delegated financial authority is required as the payments made to contractors and suppliers will be of large value due to the size of the schemes. The increased authority levels will enable invoices to be paid promptly and in accordance with the contractual terms and conditions.

Full Council need to approve all additions to the Capital Programme, in accordance with the Constitution. Whilst additional grant has been applied for from the EA, which if successful would bring the total value of the two schemes up to £25m, the Council may not be successful in securing the full amount. If this is the case then approval for the schemes to be scaled back is sought in advance to reduce any delays in delivery of the two schemes.

The Portfolio Holder for Coast, Cllr H Blathwayt, introduced this item. He explained that three options had been explored, with the third option of continuing with the proposed scheme, whilst seeking to maximise on protection to communities and assets. He added that funding for the proposed scheme was available now including some funding from the Environment Agency (EA) to cover inflation costs. There would be ongoing engagement with affected communities on the proposals and they would be as open and flexible as possible to allow as many people as possible to attend.

Cllr A Varley thanked officers for fully engaging with local communities. He said that whilst there was no doubt that the scheme should go ahead, it must be remembered that there would be implications for the Council’s carbon footprint but he welcomed that measures were in place to assess this and that mitigations would be implemented.

Cllr W Fredericks welcomed the reassurance regarding engagement with local communities. She recognised that sea defences were an emotive subject for local residents and engagement was key.

It was proposed by Cllr H Blathwayt, seconded by Cllr T Adams and