Meeting: Cabinet	Date: 21 November 2023

Wards affected: All

Report Title: Local Government Association Coastal Special Interest Group – Pledge for the Coast

When does the decision need to be implemented? Upon the conclusion of the call-in period

Cabinet Member Contact Details: Councillor David Thomas, Leader of the Council, David.thomas@torbay.gov.uk

Director Contact Details: Anne-Marie Bond, Chief Executive, anne-marie.bond@torbay.gov.uk

1.	Purpose of Report

1.1	The report seeks agreement for the Council to sign up to the ‘Pledge for the Coast’. Through this initiative we can promote the coast as a sustainable year-round destination, to raise awareness of issues impacting coastal communities and businesses whilst showcasing new products and developments.

2.	Reason for Proposal and its benefits

2.1	The reasons for the decision are 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 our coast and making them more resilient into the future.

3.	Recommendation(s) / Proposed Decision

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.

Appendices

None

Background Documents

https://lgacoastalsig.com/pledge-for-the-coast/

Supporting Information

1.	Introduction

1.1	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.

1.2	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.

2.	Options under consideration

2.1	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.

2.2	Sign up to the ‘Pledge for the Coast’ – preferred option.

3.	Financial Opportunities and Implications

3.1	Signing up to the ‘Pledge for the Coast’ and encouraging our Members, communities and employees to undertake a pledge themselves does not have any financial implications but the resulting outcomes of a cleaner, tidier coast could bring economic benefits.

4.	Legal Implications

4.1	None

5.	Engagement and Consultation

5.1	None

6.	Purchasing or Hiring of Goods and/or Services

6.1	Not applicable

7.	Tackling Climate Change

7.1	Individuals, communities and organisations that ‘Pledge to our Coast’ by volunteering or making little changes to their lifestyles such as going plastic free could make a difference to the environment and ecology of our coastline.

8.	Associated Risks

8.1	None

9.	Equality Impacts - Identify the potential positive and negative impacts on specific groups

Positive Impact	Negative Impact & Mitigating Actions	Neutral Impact
Older or younger people	There is no differential impact
People with caring Responsibilities	There is no differential impact
People with a disability	There is no differential impact
Women or men	There is no differential impact
People who are black or from a minority ethnic background (BME) (Please note Gypsies / Roma are within this community)	There is no differential impact
Religion or belief (including lack of belief)	There is no differential impact
People who are lesbian, gay or bisexual	There is no differential impact
People who are transgendered	There is no differential impact
People who are in a marriage or civil partnership	There is no differential impact
Women who are pregnant / on maternity leave	There is no differential impact
Socio-economic impacts (Including impact on child poverty issues and deprivation)	There is no differential impact
Public Health impacts (How will your proposal impact on the general health of the population of Torbay)	There is no differential impact

10.	Cumulative Council Impact

10.1	None

11.	Cumulative Community Impacts

11.1	None