Purpose

To request acceptance of funding from the
Yorkshire Regional Flood and Coastal Committee Local Levy to
undertake a Coastal Adaptation Plan for the community of Flat
Cliffs.

Upon acceptance of the funding, a consultant will be procured to
provide specialist technical support in producing the Coastal
Adaptation Plan and considering the establishment of a Coastal
Change Management Area within the wider Filey Bay.

Decision

Acceptance of the £90,000 funding from
the Yorkshire Regional Flood and Coastal Committee Local Levy to
produce a Coastal Adaptation Plan for the community Flat Cliffs,
subject to appropriate terms and conditions being received.

Following acceptance, a consultant specialising in coastal services
is procured to provide specialist technical support in producing
the coastal adaptation plan and the consideration of establishing a
Coastal Change Management Area within the wider Filey Bay.

Reasons for the decision

As Risk Management Authority, North Yorkshire
Council, under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, is required
to act in a manner that is consistent with the National Flood and
Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy for England and work
collaboratively with other RMAs. Climate resilient places and
communities that are ready to adapt to flooding and coastal change
are at the core of the Strategy. The plan aims to discharge our
responsibilities as RMA and work with other stakeholders in
supporting the affected community to plan and adapt to coastal
change. The Coastal Adaptation Plan and potential for a Coastal
Change Management Area will form a key part of the emerging NYC
Climate Change Adaptation Strategy.

Alternative options considered

Under the Do-Nothing option, awareness of the
coastal erosion risk amongst residents may remain low. There would
be no forward planning for managing the consequences of coastal
erosion. Residents would be unprepared for the loss of properties
creating difficulties for the Risk Management Authority to manage
the process when the time comes for residents to have to leave.
Significant mental health burden for residents becoming suddenly
aware of the risks in an emergency situation, and with no forward
plan for dealing with the risks, residents may be left feeling
unsupported and isolated. Whilst the cost of this option is zero in
the present day, it may increase the costs to the Risk Management
Authorities for dealing with the issue as the properties become at
imminent risk of loss.

North Yorkshire Council is the lead Authority of the Environment
Agency funded Cell One Regional Coastal Monitoring Programme. Under
the option of Do-Minimum, North Yorkshire Council will continue to
monitor coastal change from the ongoing Cell One Regional Coastal
Monitoring Programme to inform the likely remaining life span of
the properties. The cost of this option would be minimal because
the monitoring data is funded and so only RMA staff time for
reviewing timescales would be required. However, this option poses
the same risks as the Do-Nothing option in terms of community
preparedness, and increased costs to the RMAs for dealing with the
issue as the properties become at imminent risk of loss