Report of Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) to follow

The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) presenting the Catchment to Coast Outline Business Case (OBC) submitted to DEFRA.

Resolved:

1. That the bid awarded to the Catchment to Coast partnership by DEFRA on 25 October 2021 for £672,000 of grant funding, be noted.

2. That the submission of the Outline Business Case to DEFRA to seek a further £5.463 million of grant funding to the Catchment to Coast partnership over the following 5 financial years (April 2022 to March 2027), be noted.

Reasons for decision:

The Catchment to Coast project provides a unique, grant funded opportunity to make Southend a national exemplar in flood and coastal erosion risk management using innovative flood risk and coastal erosion measures.

Increasing flood and coastal erosion resilience through the measures delivered by the Catchment to Coast project will not only improve the resilience of Southend and neighbouring communities but will also seek to empower and support communities socially with the setting up of tools and processes that promote wider education and skills development within both local communities and schools.

Other options:

None.

Note: This is an Executive Function

Eligible for call-in to: Place Scrutiny Committee

Cabinet Member: Cllr Mulroney