Agenda item - Lifeguard Service 2023

RESOLVED:

That Committee:

1.    Noted the risk-based approach to prioritising the beaches that will have lifeguard stations for the 2023 summer season (May – September).

2.    Agreed to focus core lifeguard resources on four beaches during the 2023 season, as outlined in para 4.2, based on the findings and control measures identified through the beach risk assessment process.

3.    Agreed that additional lifeguards during the six-week school holiday period will be stationed on three further beach areas, as outlined in para 4.5, following the same risk-based approach.

4.    Agreed to progress a review of options for the longer-term delivery of a sustainable Lifeguard Service, including options to increase funding through sponsorship and/or for the RNLI to deliver the service on the Council’s behalf.

64.1 Mark Fisher introduced the report starting on page 189 of the Agenda.

64.2 The Chair invited Councillor Evans to move the Labour Amendment, which was seconded by Councillor Robins.

64.3 Councillors Powell, Ebel, Littman, Robins, Bagaeen, Evans, and Grimshaw and spoke about funding, tourism, funding allocation, risk assessments, risks on different stretches of beach, specific incidents of live saving, and the further implications of a reduced lifeguard service.

64.4 The Committee voted against the Labour Amendment.

RESOLVED:

That Committee:

1.    Noted the risk-based approach to prioritising the beaches that will have lifeguard stations for the 2023 summer season (May – September).

2.    Agreed to focus core lifeguard resources on four beaches during the 2023 season, as outlined in para 4.2, based on the findings and control measures identified through the beach risk assessment process.

3.    Agreed that additional lifeguards during the six-week school holiday period will be stationed on three further beach areas, as outlined in para 4.5, following the same risk-based approach.

4.    Agreed to progress a review of options for the longer-term delivery of a sustainable Lifeguard Service, including options to increase funding through sponsorship and/or for the RNLI to deliver the service on the Council’s behalf.