Decision details

The Lead Member for Waste, Transport and the Environment alongside the Head of Highways and Environmental Services and the Flood Risk Engineer presented the Stakeholder/ Community engagement activity for potential Central Rhyl and Central Prestatyn coastal defence schemes (previously circulated).

During the introduction the Lead Member and officers explained the report had been requested by scrutiny to present the findings from the community consultation. Thanks was given to Matthew Hazelwood – Project Manager. He had Chaired all the Rhyl defence meetings and had done a lot of work for the scheme.

Members heard that a drop in public consultation on Central Prestatyn Coastal defence scheme was scheduled to take place 13^th December 2021. Officers reminded members that a previous report had been presented to members and a follow up report on the engagement exercise had been requested.

In response to Committee members’ questions the following details were provided:

·         A technical issue at the last Prestatyn Member Area Group (MAG) meeting resulted in the update having to be rearranged.

·         The most pressing risk was situated at Rhyl golf club. Maintenance of the rest of the coastal works would hopefully see up to 50 more years’ protection. A concern noted by officers was the dunes at Gronant. Regular inspections and monitoring at the site occurred and future projects discussed. 

·         The kiosks at Rhyl front were being discussed at present. The corporate property team were engaging with tenants and operators of the kiosks. The scheme could not be built with the kiosks currently in place.

·         Close working with other departments for potential schemes on Rhyl promenade was ongoing and would continue to ensure that all schemes and developments in the area dovetailed with one another.

·         Engagement would continue throughout the schemes’ development with residents and business operators in the area. Discussions with key stakeholders would continue throughout the development and construction phases and if required modification proposals could be considered as and when appropriate.

·         Dependent upon weather and ground conditions it was anticipated that the Central Rhyl Scheme would take up to two and a half years to deliver, with the Central Prestatyn Scheme taking in the region of three years.  The latter scheme, which would be guided by ground conditions in the area, required be undertaken at a more measured rate.

·         Carbon reduction had been identified as a positive impact in the Well-being Impact Assessments (WIA) for both schemes. 

Members thanked the officers and contractors for the work on the schemes.

At the conclusion of the discussion, subject to the above comments and observations, it was:

Resolved: - that the Committee -

(i)           having examined the scope and findings of the stakeholder and public consultations for the schemes, recommends to Cabinet that it is satisfied with the approach taken for the consultations and their findings; and

(ii)          confirmed that, as part of its consideration, it had read, understood and taken account of the Well-being Impact Assessments (attached at Appendices 3a and 3b to the report).