ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, PLANNING, TOURISM AND LEISURE SERVICES SELECT
COMMITTEE - 23 JUNE 2003
BEACHES BEST VALUE IMPROVEMENT PLAN - UPDATE
REPORT OF THE HEAD OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM
The purpose of this report is to update the Members on the progress
made delivering the Beach and Esplanade Management Service since the completion
of the Best Value Review.
ACTION REQUIRED BY THE SELECT COMMITTEE
To monitor the progress made in delivery of the Best Value Improvement
Plan.
BACKGROUND
Members will be aware of the
Beaches Best Value Review that took place during
2001/2 and was previously
reported to the Committee on 25 March 2002.
Attached
as an appendix is the Improvement Plan from the report. Below is a summary of the actions taken to
implement the improvement items, the numbered items relate to the actions shown
in the improvement plan.
1. Re-scheduling of cleansing has been in operation and
currently new litter bins are being installed at various seafront locations.
2. Installation of 10 new information cabinets has been
required to gain this year’s Blue Flag & Seaside Awards,
3. The lifeguard service has been operating successfully
in-house, with the lifeguards provided on the main resort beaches of Sandown,
Shanklin and Ryde. Officers are still
in discussion with the RNLI with regard to future service development.
5. Improvements in water safety zoning are progressing well with the paperwork
currently following through the legal process necessary before adoption into a
byelaw.
6. Members will be aware that Officers have managed to gain
four prestigious blue flags on the resort beaches of Ryde, Sandown, Shanklin
and Ventnor for the summer season 2003.
However, further progress in this target will be linked to the financial
resources available.
7. Dog bin emptying frequency has been increased. Inspectors are monitoring the situation.
8. Members will be aware of the revised dog bans that have been
advertised through Environmental Health, to clarify the area of services.
10. Officers are working with local farmers for an environmental
way of removing and composting seaweed and other beach material. However, as progress is made, the public’s
expectations of the service also increases to unrealistic demands and therefore
a policy decision is required on how to best approach this subject in the long
term as the current requests for this service are 10 times greater than the
available budget.
11. Officers are negotiating with other departments how best to
co-ordinate this important task and on-going discussions and meetings are
planned constantly to review and improve the service.
12. Totland – Officers have requested that the Property Services
Department establish the Council’s exact ownership and liability for this
area. Currently we are awaiting written
confirmation.
13. Members will be aware of the on-going situation with the
funding of public toilet maintenance.
Officers are working to ensure that resort facilities are repaired as a
priority, when funds allow.
17. Cleansing of Island beaches not in the ownership of the
Authority has been undertaken by the Marine Conservation Society and other
volunteers who officers have assisted by providing equipment and disposal of
arising to clean beaches along the back of the Wight over the winter period.
22. Improvements have been made with regard to the scheduling of
shelter maintenance, however, officers’ efforts are on many occasions swiftly
negated by unnecessary vandalism.
RELEVANT PLANS, POLICIES,
STRATEGIES AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
Three specific actions relating to the service are included within the
Community Strategy under the theme of ‘Guaranteeing the Quality of Life and
Sustainability’:
1.65
Preparing a
strategy for the management and development of beaches and esplanades.
1.73
Appointing
beach and esplanade managers to ensure the care of visitors.
1.74
Establishing
five blue flag beaches no later than April 2005.
The management of beaches and esplanades contributes to the Council’s
priorities of:
·
Developing “a
programme of events, leisure and cultural opportunities to meet the needs of
both visitors and residents”.
(Corporate Plan objective to improve, health, housing and the quality of
life for all).
·
“….. to develop
sustainable tourism initiatives”.
(Corporate Plan aim to encourage job creation and economic prosperity).
Extensive consultation was undertaken as part of the Best Value Review
and is listed in it.
FINANCIAL, LEGAL, CRIME AND DISORDER IMPLICATIONS
None arising from this report.
APPENDICES ATTACHED
Improvement Plan from the Best Value Review.
BACKGROUND PAPERS USED IN THE PREPARATION OF THIS REPORT
Beach and Esplanade Management Best Value Review
Contact Point : Adrian Niemiec, tel: 3367, email
[email protected]
JOHN
METCALFE
Head of Community Development and Tourism