Agenda and minutes

AGREED that the minutes of the Crustacean Deaths Collaborative Working Group held on 14 June 2024 be confirmed at the next meeting.

·       An invitation for Surfers Against Sewage to attend this meeting was responded to with apologies however a representative did offer to respond to questions specific to water quality.

·       Councillor Bastiman undertook their previous action to approach the Coastal 6 and to lobby for a Coastal Minister; this will be discussed further at the next meeting.

·       Councillor Bastiman noted that due to the recent national elections the All-Party Parliament Groups (APPG) were put on hold and will be recommenced with the newly elected government, for which Alison Hume MP for Scarborough and Whitby will work on the appropriate APPG.

Officer Clear-Hill and Councillor Chance informed the committee they are representatives on the Northumbria Regional Flood Coastal Committee and Councillor Cawley informed the committee they are a representative of the North Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority.

·        Welcome Anna Turley MP

·        Response from the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - to note

·        Draft Public Enquiry letter – to approve

The Chair welcomed Anna Turley MP for Redcar who joined the meeting via Teams and brought the MP up to date with the groups instigation, research and findings to date.  The following areas were discussed:

·       The MP was informed that the group has consulted with various regional and local groups, committees and representatives but has failed to obtain the appropriate contact information for National Government to request a response to the Crustacean Deaths local inquiry and findings.

·       The findings state a hypothesis that an ‘algae bloom’ or a ‘novel pathogen’ could be the reason for the crustacean die offs, but there is no conclusive evidence to support this.

·       The Chair asked the MP to consider the following three questions from the group:

o   Who should the group address most appropriately in national government?

o   Who should the group address with regards to financial recompense for Fishermen lost earnings?

o   Who should the group address a request for a Public Inquiry, how much would it cost and who would fund it? Noted.

Anna Turley MP for Redcar responded to the groups questions as follows:

·       The MP thanked the Committee for the invitation to attend this meeting, for which they had witnessed firsthand the devastation on the beaches at Redcar, noting a lack of interest felt by the previous Government into this matter, which had been raised in Parliament.

·       The MP will write the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Steve Reed OBE MP to raise concerns on behalf of this group.  The agreed to send its findings and information to the MP. 

·       The MP will also seek guidance from the House of Commons Library regarding who to contact in National Government, Secretary of States and Chief Executives.

·       The MP will explore seeking support for local fishermen on a national and local level noting the importance this industry has on the economy.

·       The MP will also work with the group to request a Public Inquiry and ascertain the cost implications. 

·       A Group member requested an APPG for the Coast, a meeting with MPs in government could be arranged, to discuss a Public Inquiry and to push for the need for a Coastal Minister.  The MP agreed to set up a meeting in London with MPs, explained that their current position would not allow them to participate in an APPG but they could attend all convenings and they would contact Defra to ascertain who to speak to regarding a Coastal Minister.

·       The MP note that this issue affects all regional MPs and would contact then to produce a joint letter from Tees Valley MPs to National Government.

·       A Councillor noted that the Alison Hume MP for Scarborough and Whitby would request to be included due to recent mortalities on the North Yorkshire Coast.  The MP noted that they already link with Alison Hume MP and will continue to do so.  The Chair also agreed to send the same information to Alison Hume MP from the groups findings.

·       A  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The group Noted the question by Hartlepool MP and the reply from Defra.

The group were informed that Councillor Creevy’s position within Hartlepool Borough Council has changed and will remain a member of this group.  Noted.

The group discussed the action log and approved the final draft of the Public Inquiry request letter for submission to the Secretary of State for Defra and all members of this group will send a copy of the letter to their respective MPs.  Further actions from this meeting will be added onto the action log.  Noted.

·       Friday 27 September 2024

·       Friday 08 November 2024

The group noted the natural end of the group prior to the MP attending this meeting.  Therefore, it was agreed to keep the below two dates in diaries until a response had been received from the MP or the Public Inquiry letter.  Group members further agreed that if there were no tangible updates to discuss at the September or November meetings, to defer them, being mindful of National and Local Government August recess and justification for convening each meeting.

The Chair will liaise with the MP to ascertain timescales.

Members were asked to consider future clerking arrangements and to bring their thoughts to the next meeting. 

Meetings scheduled as follows:

·       Friday 27 September 2024

·       Friday 08 November 2024