CONTENT
(I) NCEAG supports the evidence submitted by the Local
Government Association on behalf of the Regional Coastal Groups
and Maritime District Councils/Unitary Authorities.
(II) NCEAG welcomes the support the Ministry
of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has given to local authorities
encouraging the development of shoreline management plans and
sustainable coastal defence strategies.
(III) NCEAG strongly believes that the coastal
defence function can be delivered most effectively by local authorities
with their detailed knowledge of local conditions. Local authorities
have the ability to understand and take account of a wide range
of inter-connected issues that are dealt with daily through the
holistic management of our coastal zones. These issues include
land-use planning and development control, beach and esplanade
management, public safety, amenities and recreation, environmental
health, maritime archaeology, seaside town regeneration, countryside
management, liaison with private landowners, and oil spill response.
(IV) NCEAG strongly supports the need for
close collaboration over the development of the full range of
coastal plans and strategies (for coastal zone management, harbours,
coastal defence and estuaries) with other agencies and consultees;
for example the Environment Agency and English Nature.
(V) NCEAG supports collaboration between
coastal and estuarine local authorities working in partnership
with other key agencies, thus seeking to avoid a fragmentary approach
to coastal defence. NCEAG recognises that there has been significant
progress in terms of understanding coastal processes and issues,
with the support of the Ministry, particularly over the last five
years.
(VI) The development of Coastal Groups and the preparation
of shoreline management plans has aided in encouraging a partnership
approach between coast protection authorities and the Environment
Agency. Such regular meetings have ensured that a "sectoral
tendency" is now no longer an issue with both the Environment
Agency and local government understanding the benefits of a holistic
approach to integrated coastal zone management. This approach
is supported by close links between NCEAG and TAG (Technical Advisory
Group Coastal Committee).
(VII) The removal of the coastal defence
function from the local authorities would greatly reduce their
ability to influence the co-ordination of plans for local sustainability.
The loss of responsibility for coast protection would result in
the reduction of the local authority's contribution, both financial
and technical, to a wide range of coastal initiatives and programmes.
The establishment of the Coastal Groups has been a remarkable
success over the last decade and if local authorities are deprived
of an active role in coastal defence, it is likely that the interests
of the engineers within the coastal groups would also be diminished.
This would result in a reduction in their effectiveness and responsiveness,
to the detriment of Integrated Coastal Zone Management in Britain.
(VIII) Recent advice from the Department
of Environment, Transport and Regions suggests the need for more
local accountability and for a greater local determination of
priorities; NCEAG strongly supports this view, and the principles
of subsidiarity. This trend is demonstrated by the creation of
Regional Development Agencies and the partnering of local authorities
to develop a strategic agenda for their areas. This would not
be assisted by transferring responsibility for coast protection
to the Environment Agency or another agency which is less accountable
for its decisions than our local authorities.
(IX) NCEAG does not believe that coastal
interests would be served better by a regional body who could
not benefit from the detailed knowledge that is available locally.
The removal of responsibility to a regional agency would, therefore,
result in a significant reduction in the quality of knowledge
and information that could be input into a debate on priorities
for coast protection works in the future.
(X) NCEAG believes that the Environment
Agency should continue to administer those functions where it
has particular expertise, ie flood defence, river management and
land drainage matters, and that coastal protection matters should
in turn be left to the experts within the local authorities.
(XI) NCEAG believes it is essential to involve
the Coastal Groups and their constituent authorities in any new
structure proposed for the delivery of coastal defence functions.
NCEAG believes that with its particular expertise it can assist
the review process and will be pleased to do so.
15 April 1998
