Agenda item

Executive Summary

The north Norfolk’ coast is vulnerable to climate accelerated coastal erosion.  For decades it has been recognised that it is not technically, economically or environmentally viable to build and maintain erosion risk management structures along the whole coast.  Over this period North Norfolk District Council and its communities have been at the forefront of coastal change management and have advocated the need to work together to seek to transition/adapt to the impacts of coastal change.

North Norfolk was specifically selected by DEFRA in 2022 to receive funds to explore, develop and demonstrate coastal transition actions which prepare communities, infrastructure and government for coastal erosion.  In August 2023 circa £15million was formally allocated by the Environment Agency through the Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme to NNDC.  In North Norfolk this initiative is called ‘Coastwise’. This programme will seek to co-create Transition Plans and practical actions with communities and sectors from which learning can be transferred to other locations and shape future government approaches.

Coastwise is formed of a multidisciplinary team and will instigate conversations with communities and sectors from Winter 2023.

By March 2027, we will have delivered an integrated Strategic North Norfolk Transition Plan, and co-created community and sector Transition Plans from which there will be some practical actions identified and delivered; contributions to coastal transition research; capturing and sharing of transferable approaches and learning; identification of future funding and financing and sharing with government possible future options for consideration and adoption to enable coastal transition to become part of the Government’s national response to the climate/coastal erosion challenge.

Options considered

This report provides an overview of Coastwise, the North Norfolk Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme.

Consultation(s)

This report has undergone consultations with Portfolio Holder, Director, Section 151 Officer, Monitoring Officer and Communications.

Recommendations

That Overview and Scrutiny endorses the delivery of Coastwise.

Reasons for

recommendations

That Overview and Scrutiny consider Coastwise, progress to date, and an opportunity to feedback constructive comments/input that may strengthen programme benefits and delivery.

Background papers

          •    Cabinet Report 3^rd January 2023

•

North Norfolk Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme Outline Business Case

Wards affected

Coastal, Sheringham South, Sheringham North, Beeston

Regis and the Runtons, Cromer Town, Suffield Park,

Poppyland, Roughton, Mundesley, Bacton, Happisburgh

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr. H. Blathwayt – Coastal Portfolio Holder.

Note that Coastwise is a cross authority project which will seek to integrate coastal transitioning into council wide operations.

Contact Officer

Rob Goodliffe, Coastal Transition Manager – Rob.Goodliffe@north-norfolk.gov.uk 

Links to key documents:

Corporate Plan:           

Our Greener Future We will continue our work to create a cleaner, greener and zero-carbon future for North Norfolk

·       Protect and Transition our Coastal Environments

o   Realising the opportunities of external funding to secure a sustainable future for our coastal communities through transition and adaptation responses.

·       Continue our journey to Net Zero

o   Continuing our own annual emissions reductions to reach Net Zero by 2030.

o   Introducing significant new projects which deliver on our Net Zero ambitions

Medium Term Financial

Strategy (MTFS)

Not applicable

Council Policies & Strategies 

•       Shoreline Management Plan 6 (Kelling Hard to Lowestoft Ness)

•       Local Plan

•       Coastal Adaptation Supplementary Planning Document (Draft)

•       Net Zero Strategy

•       Community Engagement Strategy

Corporate Governance:  

Is this a key decision 

 No

Has the public interest test been applied

This report is exempt as there are no confidential appendices.

Details of any previous decision(s) on this matter

Cabinet 3^rd January 2023

March 29^th 2023 Delegated authority for submission of Outline Business Case

May 24^th 2023 Corporate Leadership decision to recruit the Coastwise Team

August 22^nd 2023 Corporate Leadership delegated decision to progress initial support package