Agenda item

COASTAL TRANSITION ACCELERATOR PROGRAMME - UPDATE AND APPROVALS

Summary:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options considered:

This report provides the background to the Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme (CTAP), sets out what it seeks to achieve and updates Cabinet on progress to date. 

 

Cabinet agreement is sought to approve project governance alongside delegated authorities to enable timely submission of an Outline Business Case to the Environment Agency alongside exempt decisions. 

 

The report also sets out proposals to develop an initial phase of support for those at more immediate coastal erosion risk to begin to facilitate coastal transition and to buy time before wider opportunities are developed by the programme.

 

1.    That Cabinet does not agree the CTAP arrangements as proposed within the report. This option is not recommended given the significance of the programme and the benefits that it will bring.

2.    That Cabinet accepts the CTAP arrangements as detailed within this report.  This option is recommended.

 

Conclusions:

 

The Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme provides a significant opportunity to develop approaches to manage the impacts of coastal change that will be benefit our local communities.  Furthermore, the learning generated will shape future guidance, funding and policy and could ultimately provide a long-term approach for coastal localities around the country, not just those in North Norfolk.  CTAP therefore offers a tremendous opportunity to be at the forefront of this work in finding solutions that will benefit the nation and offer examples of best practice.

 

The development and submission of the Outline Business Case to the Environment Agency must follow the EA guidance and requires submission by the end of March 2023.  The OBC will form a robust business case and programme framework from which the CTAP Programme Board can oversee the development and delivery of the projects and programme activities.  Through the inclusion of external scrutiny, the board will be strengthened and ensure a wider outward looking programme of work.  The active inclusion of wider stakeholder involvement and engagement is critical in order to understand local needs, to encourage participation and to develop preparedness and awareness.

 

The Phase 1 of Coastal Transition support seeks to provide assistance for those most in need in the short term whilst the wider programme and projects are developed.  It also seeks to provide initial opportunities for coastal communities and in doing so help facilitate a coastal transition conversation.  This support will also provide valuable learning to the project and may identify further opportunities or needs to be taken forward.

 

The details included within the Exempt appendices will enable NNDC to move forward with wider opportunities should it be required.

 

Recommendations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reasons for

Recommendations:

 

 

1.    That Cabinet notes progress to date.

2.    That Cabinet agrees that the Programme will be overseen by a Programme Board, which is to be constituted in accordance with NNDC project guidance.

3.    That Cabinet authorises the Director for Place and Climate Change, in consultation with the Coastal Portfolio Holder, to approve the submission of the Outline Business Case to the Environment Agency and undertake any subsequent amendments as necessary.

4.    That Cabinet agrees that the approved Outline Business Case is to form the NNDC Programme Business Case.

5.    That Cabinet agrees the development and delivery of the Stage 1 Coastal Transition Support Package and authorises the Director for Place and Climate Change, in consultation with the Coastal Portfolio Holder, to undertake any necessary amendments to the package provided they are within the CTAP budget.

6.    That Cabinet agrees that land and asset purchases in excess of £100,000 for the purposes of the Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme are ‘exceptional circumstances’ and acquisition is delegated to the Leader the of the Council, Portfolio Holder, Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer. With report to the next available Cabinet.

7.    That Cabinet authorises the Director for Place and Climate Change to enter into legal agreements with land/asset owners in order to secure transition opportunities with advice from the Estates Team and in consultation with Legal Services and Portfolio Holder and Assistant Director Finance Assets

 

 

To enable timely progression of the Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme

 

To ensure robust governance and oversight

 

To enable immediate support to those most impacted by coastal change

 

LIST OF BACKGROUND PAPERS AS REQUIRED BY LAW

(Papers relied on to write the report, which do not contain exempt information and which are not published elsewhere)

 

 

·         NNDC Project Proposal Template

·         Environment Agency CTAP Principles

 

 

               

Cabinet Member(s)

 

Cllr. A. Fitch-Tillett (portfolio Holder for Coast)

 

Ward(s) affected

 

Coastal, Sheringham South, Sheringham North, Beeston Regis and the Runtons, Cromer Town, Suffield Park, Poppyland, Roughton, Mundesley, Bacton, Happisburgh

Contact Officer, telephone number and email:

 

Rob Goodliffe – Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme Manager – Rob.Goodliffe@north-norfolk.gov.uk – 01263 516321

 

 

 

Decision:

Decision

RESOLVED

 

1.    That Cabinet agrees that the Programme will be overseen by a Programme Board, which is to be constituted in accordance with NNDC project guidance.

2.    That Cabinet authorises the Director for Place and Climate Change, in consultation with the Coastal Portfolio Holder, to approve the submission of the Outline Business Case to the Environment Agency and undertake any subsequent amendments as necessary.

3.    That Cabinet agrees that the approved Outline Business Case is to form the NNDC Programme Business Case.

4.    That Cabinet agrees the development and delivery of the Stage 1 Coastal Transition Support Package and authorises the Director for Place and Climate Change, in consultation with the Coastal Portfolio Holder, to undertake any necessary amendments to the package provided they are within the CTAP budget.

5.    That Cabinet agrees that land and asset purchases in excess of £100,000 for the purposes of the Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme are ‘exceptional circumstances’ and acquisition is delegated to the Leader the of the Council, Portfolio Holder, Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer. With report to the next available Cabinet.

6.    That Cabinet authorises the Director for Place and Climate Change to enter into legal agreements with land/asset owners in order to secure transition opportunities with advice from the Estates Team and in consultation with Legal Services and Portfolio Holder and Assistant Director Finance Assets

 

Reasons for the decision:

 

To enable timely progression of the Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme

 

To ensure robust governance and oversight

 

To enable immediate support to those most impacted by coastal change

Minutes:

A Fitch-Tillett, Portfolio Holder for Coast, introduced this item. She began by saying that she was very excited to bringing the report forward. The NNDC Coastal team was respected nationally and had been for some time. The Council’s work under the Pathfinder Scheme was seen both nationally and internationally as an exemplar. She said that DEFRA had awarded the Council the opportunity to take adaptation to coastal change much faster and further than before. Cllr Fitch-Tillett said that this was an opportunity to stabilise coastal communities and businesses and to achieve the best outcome, the project must be able to progress without delay. She went onto say that a lot of the work undertaken by the Local Government Association Coast Special Interest Group (SIG) would be incorporated into he programme, such as the possibility of insurance for property at risk and erosion, roll-back, the part that surface water plays in erosion and possibly even a change to building regulation for replacement properties. Cllr Fitch-Tillett concluded by saying that the funding for this scheme was not from the Council’s budget, it came direct from DEFRA.

 

The Chairman invited the Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme Manager to speak. He began by saying that it was well known that coastal change was a major issue in North Norfolk and the report set out the main issues and challenges. Government policy statements and Environment Agency strategies for coast and flood now included references to coastal adaptation and transition to help communities adapt to coastal change. NNDC was fortunate to be identified alongside East Riding of Yorkshire to be selected for the CTAP. The Council now needed to complete and submit an outline business case to the Environment Agency to access the full funding. He concluded by saying that the report also set out proposals to develop an initial phase of support for those at more immediate coastal erosion risk, to begin to facilitate coastal transition and to allow time to progress and develop wider opportunities of the programme.

 

The Chairman invited members to speak:

 

Cllr N Lloyd congratulated the Coastal Team and the Portfolio Holder on this project. He said that NNDC was at the forefront of coastal management at a national level. He said that climate change was mentioned throughout the report and it highlighted the vast sums of money that were needed to mitigate the cost and impact of climate change.

 

Cllr V Gay thanked the Coastal Team for all their hard work on this. She said it was an excellent example of where local government led the way in doing something really significant, adding it took years of hard work and dedication to bring large projects such as this to fruition.

 

Cllr L Shires, Local member for Happisburgh, thanked the CTAP Manager and his team for listening to the plight of Happisburgh residents. No suggestions had been dismissed and this felt like a really positive move for those impacted the most. As indicated by the Portfolio Holder for Coast, although the Pathfinder Scheme had been instigated 12 years ago, work had been continuous and it was not bearing real fruition.

 

Cllr A Brown thanked the CTAP Manager and his team for their excellent work. It was very beneficial for NNDC to be involved in a flagship scheme such as this.

It was proposed by Cllr A Fitch-Tillett, seconded by Cllr N Lloyd and

 

RESOLVED

 

1.    That Cabinet agrees that the Programme will be overseen by a Programme Board, which is to be constituted in accordance with NNDC project guidance

2.    That Cabinet authorises the Director for Place and Climate Change, in consultation with the Coastal Portfolio Holder, to approve the submission of the Outline Business Case to the Environment Agency and undertake any subsequent amendments as necessary.

3.    That Cabinet agrees that the approved Outline Business Case is to form the NNDC Programme Business Case.

4.    That Cabinet agrees the development and delivery of the Stage 1 Coastal Transition Support Package and authorises the Director for Place and Climate Change, in consultation with the Coastal Portfolio Holder, to undertake any necessary amendments to the package provided they are within the CTAP budget.

5.    That Cabinet agrees that land and asset purchases in excess of £100,000 for the purposes of the Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme are ‘exceptional circumstances’ and acquisition is delegated to the Leader the of the Council, Portfolio Holder, Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer. With report to the next available Cabinet.

6.    That Cabinet authorises the Director for Place and Climate Change to enter into legal agreements with land/asset owners in order to secure transition opportunities with advice from the Estates Team and in consultation with Legal Services and Portfolio Holder and Assistant Director Finance Assets

 

Reasons for the decision:

 

To enable timely progression of the Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme

 

To ensure robust governance and oversight

 

To enable immediate support to those most impacted by coastal change

Supporting documents: