The report of the Director of Neighbourhood Services provided an update on one of the recommendations from the meeting of the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee of 3rd December 2020 to ‘Produce a Communications Strategy for the development of the beach management plan for Hoylake in consultation with a politically proportionate working group’.

Members of the working group attended a meeting to discuss and make recommendations on a communications strategy for the development of the beach management plan for Hoylake. The report was a summary of that meeting which was held on 22 February 2021.

Members questioned several aspects of the issues and whether a weighting should be given to the views of local residents in any consultation. The anticipated 2023 end of the study was also queried although it was explained that this was determined by full growing seasons to get a sufficient data.

Councillor Alison Wright proposed an amendment that

‘It is proposed that a 2 fifths area of the amenity beach be raked to provide a controlled environment in order to deliver data as to the benefits, or disadvantages, of both raking and allowing foliage to grow.‘

This was seconded by Councillor Tony Cox and debated.

The Chair read out the following statement from RSPB:

‘The protection and restoration of natural ecosystems, including coastal habitats such as dunes and saltmarsh, is important not only as a means to provide shelter and food for a raft of rare and endangered species, but these areas can also play a vital role in flood resilience and carbon storage. The naturalised section at Hoylake Beach has proven to be a success for nature attracting species such as snow bunting. It will also be playing its part in mitigating the effects of climate change. It is estimated that coastal habitats represent up to 6.8 million tonnes of carbon captured and stored per year globally; while healthy saltmarshes can sequester almost 10 times as much carbon as terrestrial forests over the same area.

We also know these nature rich areas are valued by local communities. In May, a survey conducted by YouGov on behalf of the RSPB sought the views of adults in the UK on the role of nature in our communities during the Coronavirus crisis. 86% of respondents in North West England agreed that living close to spaces that are rich in wildlife and nature is an advantage during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak; 91% agreed increasing the amount of accessible nature-rich green space will help to improve people's general health, well-being and happiness.

It is clear that the naturalised area of Hoylake Beach now plays an important role is supporting the local ecosystem, and we therefore urge the council to continue their sustainable management of the foreshore, with no further removal of vegetation, raking, or glyphosate spraying. Naturalisation of sections of beach have been successfully applied elsewhere in the region; for example, Southport beach where Sefton council allowed sections to ‘green over’, promoting and defending the position with residents. We are in the midst of ecological, climate, and health crises, and now more than ever we need the support of local government to protect and enhance nature rich green spaces such as Hoylake Beach.’

The amendment was voted on with five for and six against so was declared lost. The Chair then proposed the original recommendations. This was seconded by Councillor Tony Norbury.

Resolved (7:4) - That

(1)   the report and its contents be noted,

(2)   the recommendations contained within Hoylake Beach Working group final report which is attached to this report as appendix 1 be noted.