Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Craze.

To confirm the minutes of the meetings held on 7 March and 13 May 2024 as correct records.

The minutes of the meeting held on 7 March and 13 May 2024 were confirmed as a correct record.

To note any declarations of interest made by members in connection with an agenda item. The nature of the interest must also be specified.

Members are asked to discuss any possible interests with Democratic Services prior to the meeting.

On item 4, Cllr Reid declared a non-pecuniary interest in that he was a Ward Councillor for one of the areas included in the Christchurch Bay Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy. He concluded, however, that there were no grounds under common law to prevent him from remaining in the meeting to speak on the matter.

On item 4, Cllr Parker declared a non-pecuniary interest in that he worked for a civil engineering company that often works on marine projects. The company in question was not involved in the strategy and therefore he concluded that there were no grounds under common law to prevent him from remaining in the meeting to speak on the matter.

To receive any public participation in accordance with the Council’s public participation scheme.

There was no public participation.

To consider the Christchurch Bay Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy.

The Service Manager of Coastal introduced the item and provided a summary of the item to the Panel. The main points were as follows:

·       Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP), New Forest District Council (NFDC), and the Environment Agency (EA) had been working to develop a new Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) strategy for Christchurch Bay and Harbour since the Spring of 2021 and has been fully funded through grant aid provision from the EA to BCP Council.

·       . There had been extensive engagement with local communities, officers, members and statutory stakeholders alike to identify and subsequently recommend an adaptive approach to how the risks of coastal flooding and erosion can be managed sustainably over the next 100 years in a changing climate.

·       The Strategy identified where, when and what type of works will be required to manage and address the risks of coastal flooding and erosion over the next century and what the costs of delivering the identified measures.

·       As Coast Protection Authorities, BCP and NFDC do not have any statutory duty to undertake coast protection work but can use permissive powers to protect the coastline and work with communities to help them adapt to future coastal change.

·       This strategy, that covers the Christchurch Bay frontage focus is on the Western side of the District as this was where the greatest risk is to our coastline, through storm impacts, coastal erosion and assets with a reducing lifespan.

·       A further strategy (concerning Lymington to Redbridge) may be considered by the EA, as contained in their Longer-Term Forward Plan, but would not likely come to fruition until after the completion of the Hurst to Lymington strategy, due September 2026.

·       The respective councils were now looking to take the strategy through their decision-making process to be adopted before being submitted to the EA for the formal assurance process, likely happening in the early part of 2025.

·       An important aspect of the adoption of the Strategy was that it did not guarantee funding from the EA or central Government, but it also does not commit NFDC to funding any aspects of the projects.

·       . The Strategy sits at the second level of shoreline management, below the Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs) which are the high-level overarching policy. The Strategy itself contains the risk, cost options, delivery and implementation of the actions required to provide coastal erosion management.

·       The Strategy provides a 100-year risk assessment and subsequent list of protective actions to reduce significant flooding or erosion risk across the bay. The wider coastal area face coastal impacts from sea level rise, climate change and storms. The Strategy development process analysed the impact to properties, assets, the local environment and considered how the risk to these could be addressed and mitigated against. The Strategy aligns with the SMP policies already in place at a District level and it identifies options that would be environmentally and financially viable, were funding made available.

·       The defences across the BCP and NFDC sea front are coming to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

An opportunity for the Portfolio Holder’s to provide an update to the Panel on developments within their portfolio.

The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability provided an update on the key areas within his portfolio. The main points were as follows:

·       The Portfolio Holder gave thanks to the Service Manager for Coastal and his team for their substantial contribution to the Christchurch Bay and Harbour Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Strategy.

·       It was reported that all of the damaged beach huts from Hordle Cliffs were removed and repairs to the sea wall at Milford had been completed Meetings were also taking place with Milford Parish Council to provide a regular update to local members.

·       On Changing Places, two new facilities were completed in April at Ringwood to supplement the existing facilities at Brockenhurst. The Changing Places scheme supports people with physical disabilities or learning difficulties to use toilets safely and comfortably within the community. This would enable people, regardless of ability, to be able to enjoy the local shops. Amended layouts at Brockenhurst provided a further Changing Places facility. This brings the total number of Changing Places facilities across the District to 6, with a continuing commitment to maintain and improve inclusivity in the New Forest.

·       The Let it Bee ran between the months of May and June. This initiative saw the selective refusal of cutting of grass areas where possible. This initiative aligned with many other Local Authorities, landowners, residents and national Government in recognition of the importance of letting grass grow at this time to help pollinators. The relevant team were careful not to let this cause obstruction. It was considered a successful year and the relevant team had been out mowing again since June. The Portoflio Holder reported that orchids had been seen growing in some areas of the Appletree Court grounds.

·       On Garden Waste, the first collections from the new wheeled bins had taken place in April. It was reported that NFDC was enjoying its highest ever number of subscribers to the Garden Waste scheme and that composting had also increased from 500 to 800 tons following the improved service of collection from doorsteps.

·       The Street scene team had attended a meeting of New Milton Town Council and had given an excellent presentation on ground maintenance and litter challenges. Further meetings like this one had been arranged for Milford Parish Council.

·       The Crabby Campaign and A35 Litter projects had been running throughout the Summer and the Council had commissioned an in-depth study to explore littering behaviours. A sculpture made entirely from littered materials was being made to promote the message of anti-littering.

Following the Portfolio Holder’s update, members were able to make comments and ask questions. These were as follows:

·       On Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), it was explained that the measures related to the existing Corporate Plan and that some of the indicators were marked as grey as they had not reached the end of the measuring period. It was explained that the dashboard displayed the last quarter of the existing Corporate Plan and the Portfolio Holder was confident that the points  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To agree the work programme to guide the Panel’s activities over the coming months.

The Chairman explained that the Waste Programme Timeline report would be added as an item to the September meeting of the Panel.

RESOLVED:

That the Work Programme be approved.