1.         That the Cabinet on behalf of the Council sign up to the Pledge for the Coast, and joins the call for a dedicated Minister for the Coast who can bring together governmental departments to focus on the needs of coastal communities;

2.         That Cabinet encourages all Members to pledge one thing that they will do to support our coast and support the pathway to making them resilient into the future; and

3.         That the Chief Executive be requested to explore with Human Resources the ways in which staff can undertake volunteering opportunities that support our coastline

To recognise the vital contribution to the economy, leisure and enjoyment for residents and visitors that our coast offers and commit to pledging support for and making our coast more resilient into the future.

An alternative option would have been to not sign up to the ‘Pledge for the Coast’ – this option was discounted as raising the challenges faced by coastal communities is important in order that we do not get overlooked in favour of bigger towns and cities.

This decision will come into force and may be implemented on 4 December 2023 unless the call-in procedure is triggered (as set out in the Standing Orders in relation to Overview and Scrutiny).

The Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Committee for Coastal Communities, Sally Ann Hart MP, on behalf of the LGA Coastal Special Interest Group,  launched a campaign for a “Pledge for the Coast” – encouraging MPs, Businesses, Organisations, Communities, Partnerships and Local Authorities to make their Pledge to support our coasts and our coastal communities.  Our coastline holds an emotional connection with many of our residents and visitors, however, like many other coastal areas, our residents are some of the most deprived.

The ‘Pledge for the Coast’ asks for organisations and communities to pledge one thing that they will do to support our coasts and support the pathway to making them resilient into the future.

At the meeting Councillor David Thomas proposed and Councillor Chris Lewis seconded a motion that was agreed unanimously by the Cabinet, as set out above.

None.