New task force hopes to save Hemsby from erosion
A new coastal management department will be created in Great Yarmouth
Councillors in a Norfolk seaside borough have abandoned a cross-border partnership in the hopes of boosting the battle against erosion in a coastal village.
Great Yarmouth Borough Council (GYBC) cabinet members have agreed to leave Coastal Partnership East (CPE), and have instead forged their own task force to try to save Hemsby.
CPE, a group created by three councils, aimed to pool resources to protect more than 100 miles of coastline.
East Suffolk Council and North Norfolk District Council have also agreed to disband the partnership, leaving it defunct.
The move comes after the three councils decided they could better tackle the threat of climate change individually.
A new coastal management department will instead now be created at GYBC.
Councillors hope it will improve how they respond to the erosion affecting villages like Hemsby, as well as other places affected such as Hopton and Scratby.
Carl Smith, leader of the Conservative-led council, said: “‘As our residents are all-too aware, being on the frontline of one of Europe’s fastest-changing coastlines is increasingly presenting unique and significant challenges.
“‘The rapid pace of climate change is affecting all of us and, where once CPE was the most appropriate approach, it is now unwieldy and not responsive enough.
“We need to be able to deliver bespoke, innovative and creative solutions at pace as we adapt to erosion locally.
“‘We have lobbied long and hard for the government to provide more support and help for the borough.
“Dissolving CPE will empower us to be able to do that even more effectively and with more focus.”
However, Paul Wells, cabinet member for environment and waste, warned that without public and private investment in sea defences there will be limits to what the council can achieve.
He said: “We have to be realistic. This will enable us to push for more resources to tackle coastal erosion but will not be a panacea. We are still like King Canute in these circumstances.”