Colin Clayton, Assistant Director for Parks and the Environment,introduced a report from the Director of Neighbourhood Services on the management of Hoylake beach. The future management of Hoylake beach aligned with both the Sustainable Environment and Safe and Pleasant Communities themes of the Wirral Plan 2025. 

The report set out the progress in delivering the recommendations of the Executive Member Decision of 13 March 2020 to determine a long-term management strategy for Hoylake beach and provided an update on the decision to cease mechanical raking. In line with the guidance from Natural England Officers had established that a scientific evidence base of the beach ecology and geomorphological changes was needed in order that the future options for the beach could be developed. Based on the draft specification it was estimated that this would cost in the region of £30,000 from existing budgets including the Climate Emergency fund.

Members asked officers to outline the objectives of the scientific study, to which it was clarified that the objectives of the ecological and geomorphological studies were to define the extent and variety of vegetation growth on Hoylake foreshore, as well as how it will respond to sediment changed in order to model how the foreshore would evolve. It was confirmed that the studies would look at both the short and longer term so current drainage could be assessed as well as the future of the beach.

The cost of the studies was discussed and the issue of value for money raised, with Members recommending accredited academics be approached for the contract and querying whether it would be appropriate to use Climate Emergency Funding. Colin Clayton confirmed that academic institutions would be welcomed to bid for the contract through the formal bidding process as long as they met the procurement requirements.

The Committee debated the parameters of a public consultation given the legal limits which would be applied by Natural England and agreed an independent and transparent process consulting all stakeholders was needed. It was agreed that given the public interest in the topic, officers would work with the Chair and spokes to identify all groups which should be consulted.

An amendment to the recommendations was then moved by Councillor Christina Muspratt, seconded by Councillor Steve Foulkes, that –

(1)  Note the progress in developing a specification for an ecological and geomorphological survey and, subject to a suitable budget being identified in consultation with the E, CE & T Committee, to agree to the procurement of independent studies as a scientific evidence base upon which to develop future management options for Hoylake beach.

(2)  Agree that the Director of Neighbourhoods produces a Communications Strategy for the development of the beach management plan for Hoylake in consultation with a politically proportionate Working Group.

(3)  Approve the submission of an extension request for assent to NE for the continuation of non-vegetation management activities at Hoylake beach which were not subject to cessation as a result of the Cabinet Member decision of 13 March 2020, subject to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19