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The Director of Neighbourhoods Services presented the report which provided the Committee with the results of the recent consultation exercise relating to the management of Hoylake Beach. In light of the consultation and progress made thus far with Natural England, Members were asked to determine a preferred position upon which officers could proceed development of a beach management plan for Hoylake Beach as they had sufficient information to resolve a preference. This preference was used as the basis for Wirral Council’s position, although no beach management was to be implemented without Natural England’s assent.

Councillors discussed the remit of Natural England with The Deputy Chief Executive confirming that they were a regulatory body and work could not be undertaken on the beach without a beach management plan which had been approved by Natural England.  Members commented on the costs surrounding the resolution of the beach management plan and the range of views on the matter.

Also discussed was beach accessibility, both for the public and RNLI as well as the need for a united message, noting the response to the consultation. It was noted that conversations had been had with RNLI about access.

Members considered the need for Natural England assent on the beach options and the need for further work to be undertaken with officers to get an agreement which was as close as possible to the consultation outcome. Assurance was also sought on protecting the Site of Special Scientific Interest, with officers assuring Members that they would ensure that nothing would be breached.

The recommendations within the report were moved as a motion by Councillor Elizabeth Grey, seconded by Councillor Max Booth.

The Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee is recommended to:

1. Consider the content of the Hoylake Beach Management Plan Consultation Report enclosed as Appendix A to this report; and

2. Authorise the Director of Neighbourhood Services to work with Natural England to develop a beach management plan that approximates as closely as possible the consultees’ overall preferred option (Option 2 - Amenity Beach).

3. Authorise the Director of Neighbourhood Services to

a. progress the items referred to in paragraph 4.4 of this report which are all required to be in place before the beach management plan can be implemented; and

b. finalise and implement the beach management plan subject to assent being in place from Natural England

Councillor Naomi Graham then moved an alternative motion. This was seconded by Councillor Jason Walsh,

The Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee is recommended to:

1.Consider the content of the Hoylake Beach Management Plan Consultation Report enclosed as Appendix A to this report; and

2. Authorise the Director of Neighbourhood Services to work with Natural England to develop a beach management plan that ensures stable, debris-free and managed grassed access for RNLI activities and access for all to the sandy beach beyond the current continuous grassed area.

3. Authorise the Director of Neighbourhood Services to

a. progress the items referred to in paragraph 4.4 of this report which are all required to be in place before the beach management plan can be implemented; and

b. finalise and implement the beach management plan subject to assent being in place from Natural England.

Members then voted on the motion as moved by Councillor Liz Grey and it was,

Resolved (9:2) - that,

1. Consider the content of the Hoylake Beach Management Plan Consultation Report enclosed as Appendix A to this report be noted

2.  the Director of Neighbourhood Services be authorised to work with Natural England to develop a beach management plan that approximates as closely as possible the consultees’ overall preferred option (Option 2 - Amenity Beach).

3. the Director of Neighbourhood Services be authorised to

a. progress the items referred to in paragraph 4.4 of this report which are all required to be in place before the beach management plan can be implemented; and

b. finalise and implement the beach management plan subject to assent being in place from Natural England

The motion moved by Cllr Graham therefore fell away because it was a negation of the motion that had just been carried.