Minutes:
· The winter of 2023/24 saw the area get hit by a number of named storms. South Gare severely hit, and work continued with owner PD Ports to resolve. Engaging with STDC and owner of the Tingdene Beach Caravan Park regarding Coatham Dunes. Working with Natural England on the Flood Risk Assessment to investigate contamination.
· The North East Coastal Group provided funding for consultants to develop the plan to enable the council to better understand and manage the coast.
· The plan complements the Shoreline Management Plan, a national strategic approach.
· Divided into policy units, focus on ‘holding the line’ the defences between sea and properties. Sand dunes are a defence, managed realignment allows for natural progress.
· Redcar has two bays with little sediment loss. Groyne fields are functioning to protect sediment, no longshore drift seen.
· The storm direction lifted material and took it offshore and the rapid succession of storms prevented recovery. Estimated 3-5 years for beaches to return to normal.
· Outlined future monitoring and actions to cover entire frontage along with specific location-based plans and approaches.
§ Redcar – annual beach recovery, maintain the sea wall, repair the slipway with ramp extensions, remediate health and safety hazards due to low beach levels.
§ The Stray – repair sea wall and groyne fields.
§ Marske to Saltburn – maintain the monitoring of defences and beach levels.
§ Saltburn – two concerns:
o Formation of shingle – should accrete sand and shingle so will continue annual shingle removal with trial placement areas.
o Lowering of the foreshore – carrying out a feasibility of study of longer-term structural solutions to reduce incoming wave energy.
· The coastline is relatively resilient and although it will recover work continued in the interim.
As part of the ensuing discussion the following questions/comments were made:
· A member asked about issues at Skinningrove:
o damaged jetty and slipway.
o cliff erosion was a danger to the public.
o fishermen have put in boulders at the boat park to enable access.
o people unable to get to the beach.
Officers advised that a post-storm walkover was conducted, and engineers were aware of cliff falls.
· A member asked about details of the funding source for consultants. Officers advised the North East Coastal Group had a funding pot allocated by the Environment Agency (EA) which the council was able to draw £25,000 to undertake the walkover exercise and develop the Beach Management Plan. The council would be well placed to draw down funding if further amounts were made available using the plan.
· Regarding Saltburn, a member lamented sand loss as a major concern with launches from the slipway not possible and no response to a submitted member enquiry. The Northumbrian Water outflow pipe was exposed as were the footings of the pier. The Cleveland Way path had been moved and would need to be moved again. Officers advised that an agreement was in place with County Durham to monitor the beach, but the landowner had removed permission for the monitoring equipment to be sited so continued to be done from the beach. The team was looking at use of drones and quad bikes to get good data. Officers also advised that Cat Nab car park is in a flood plain and if not allowed to flood will cause a problem upstream. Heavy rainfall combined with a high tide would combine to flood. Meetings held regularly with the EA which is also responsible for rivers.
· A member asked about the flood risk assessment for the caravan park. Officers advised that contact made with park owners and that there was no real budget allocated for coastal management. The EA threshold for intervention is high, especially in Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
· A member suggested that there should be a provision within the budget for coastal work. A member also stated that the council did not have any money and funding would need to be sought from elsewhere. Officers advised that the EA would be the main source of funding, and the protection of properties would be the key trigger. Work is carried out by council on an asset need basis with a reactive programme in place.
· A member highlighted the need for forward planning readiness. Officers advised that the Asset Management Strategy was in progress and supports bidding from TVCA and other bodies.
· A member asked if officers had made contact with government. Officers advised that the LGA Coastal Special Interest Group was the route but that a minister was not yet in place.
· A member asked about funding for the beck at Skinningrove, commenting that Saltburn and Skinningrove were in valleys and the need to consider the bigger picture with the EA. Officers advised that a draft report was due in the Spring of 2025. Meetings took place with the EA and Northumbrian Water with a group set up and planned community activities to discuss schemes. There was a need to balance messaging to manage expectations, further surveys being conducted with an integrated model (sewers/highways/rivers) to develop water management solutions and remove risk of flooding to residents. Northumbrian Water may receive Ofwat funding to enable works to be carried out.
· The group thanked officers for bringing the report and engaging with government agencies to promote Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.
The following actions were identified:
1. Chair asked that an annual update be provided to the Climate and Environment Scrutiny and Improvement Committee.
2. Officers to undertake a review of the Shoreline Management Plan and share details of the walkover.
3. A member asked for the wind directions to be clarified as the diagram did not correlate with the document.
4. An update from County Durham would be sought.
5. Officers to share details of the LGA Coastal Special Interest Group.
6. Officers to provide a breakdown of partnership working with EA and NWL.
7. Further clarity on funding opportunities for coastal authorities.