Agenda item

To seek Cabinet’s authority for a scheme of work to stabilise failed and failing cliffs at Holland-on-Sea. To seek Cabinet’s recommendation to Council that it commits the allocation of funding to the implementation of the proposed remedial work, which will stabilise approximately 200m of the cliff for the next 50 to 100 years and create new locations for approximately 30 new beach huts.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

a)    subject to Full Council agreeing to the allocation of funding, approves the project to stabilise the damaged cliff areas at Holland-on-Sea;

b)    subject to a) above, approves the inclusion of the cliff stabilisation scheme within the 2021/22 Capital Programme with a budget of £2.131m, to be funded by utilising £1.5m from the existing beach recharge reserve along with the £631k already set aside for this project;

c)    recommends to Full Council that it approves the use of the £1.5m beach recharge reserve to fully fund the proposed cliff stabilisation scheme;

d)    instructs officers to seek ways to generate external funding to offset cliff stabilisation costs; and

e)    approves on-going representations being made to Government in the light of recent experiences and the continuing, significant and financial challenges faced by the Council in this area.

The Cabinet had before it a report of the Corporate Finance & Governance Portfolio Holder (A.2) which sought its - 

(i)         authority for a scheme of work to stabilise failed and failing cliffs at Holland-on-Sea; and

(ii)        recommendation to Council to use £1.5m currently held in reserves to support the overall funding of the proposed remedial works, which would stabilise approximately 200m of the cliff for the next 50 to 100 years and create new locations for approximately 30 new beach huts.

It was reported that, since February 2020, three areas of cliff in Holland-on-Sea had collapsed or been identified as likely to collapse. If the stability of those areas was not addressed the collapse would continue to progress putting at risk the public highway and infrastructure within it. Public services and amenity would be compromised.

Members were reminded that the Council’s emerging Tourism Strategy sets out a 10 point plan, which included the development of the local seafront offer, with the coast being fundamental to the local visitor economy.  Tourism was estimated to be worth more than £402 million to the District, and was responsible for over 8,980 jobs, equivalent to 17.9% of the District’s employment.

Cabinet was advised that the securing of the cliff areas was in line with corporate priorities and criteria set out in the emerging Annual Capital and Treasury Strategy, specifically safeguarding assets; reducing risks; and seeking to limit future exposure to costs and liability.

Members were informed that monitoring of the movement was continuing to take place. Design of remedial measures had been completed and tenders invited and received within the allocated budget. Evaluation of those tenders was ongoing and separate decisions would be made, subject to the funding decision of Full Council, to appoint a contractor and an engineer to oversee the work.

Cabinet was made aware that if no action was taken further collapse of the cliffs was likely which would expose the Council to significant reputational, financial and legal risk. The potential consequences of not addressing the matter are set out in the options appraisal and risk sections.

It was reported that the lowest tender was in the sum of £1,930,212.92. An allocation of funding in excess of this would felt to be prudent in order to allow for contingencies and potentially increasing material costs, with a total budget of £2.131m therefore proposed. Subject to Cabinet’s approval of the proposed remedial works, it would be recommended to Full Council to utilise £1.5m from the existing beach recharge reserve to support the overall funding required to meet the cost outlined above.

Having considered all of the information and advice contained in the Portfolio Holder’s report:-

It was moved by Councillor G V Guglielmi, seconded by Councillor P B Honeywood and:-

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

a)    subject to Full Council agreeing to the allocation of funding, approves the project to stabilise the damaged cliff areas at Holland-on-Sea;

b)    subject to a) above, approves the inclusion of the cliff stabilisation scheme within the 2021/22 Capital Programme with a budget of £2.131m, to be funded by utilising £1.5m from the existing beach recharge reserve along with the £631k already set aside for this project;

c)    recommends to Full Council that it approves the use of the £1.5m beach recharge reserve to fully fund the proposed cliff stabilisation scheme;

d)    instructs officers to seek ways to generate external funding to offset cliff stabilisation costs; and

e)    approves on-going representations being made to Government in the light of recent experiences and the continuing, significant and financial challenges faced by the Council in this area.