Agenda item - Brighton Marina to River Adur Flood and Coastal Risk Management Scheme

Report of the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture

That the Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee:

1)            Grants delegated authority to the Assistant Director for City Transport to:

(i)            Enter into a memorandum of understanding with Adur District Council and Shoreham Port Authority to develop and agree an outline business case on the Brighton Marina to River Adur Coast Protection Scheme for submission to the Environment Agency; and

(ii)          Submit the outline business case on the Brighton Marina to River Adur Coast Protection Scheme referred to in 2.1(i) to the Environment Agency’s Large Project Review Group for technical approval.

15.1      The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture that provided an update on the Brighton Marina to River Adur Flood and Coastal Risk Management Scheme and sought delegated authority to further progress the Scheme.

15.2      Councillor Wares commended the quality of the report. Councillor Wares asked for clarification on the funding required from the Council, where that funding would come from and when it would be required.

15.3      The Project Manager, Civil Infrastructure clarified that the Council’s contribution in terms of capital cost would come from a Public Works Loan and approval would be sought from committee for that once the detailed design was completed. Annual maintenance costs were highlighted in the report.

15.4      Councillor Wares asked how that arrangement would work with the other authorities involved, namely Adur & Worthing District Council and Shoreham Port Authority.

15.5      The Project Manager, Civil Infrastructure explained that each partner would contribute individually to the cost of the work required in their specific geographical boundary. The business case, that would be much more detailed in terms of design and cost calculation would also include a Heads of Service agreement that was a legally binding document signed by all the contributory partners binding them to the respective capital and maintenance costs.

15.6      Councillor Wares stated that as a general point, the committee should consider a more joined up flood plan to include inland flooding as currently the action undertaken was ad-hoc.

15.7      RESOLVED- That the Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee:

1)            Grants delegated authority to the Assistant Director for City Transport to:

(i)            Enter into a memorandum of understanding with Adur District Council and Shoreham Port Authority to develop and agree an outline business case on the Brighton Marina to River Adur Coast Protection Scheme for submission to the Environment Agency; and

(ii)          Submit the outline business case on the Brighton Marina to River Adur Coast Protection Scheme referred to in 2.1(i) to the Environment Agency’s Large Project Review Group for technical approval.