Cabinet
04 July 2011
Agenda Item No_____10________
CONTRACT FOR THE PROVISION OF COASTAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Summary:
Following the retirement of Peter Frew, the Council’s longstanding
Head of Coastal Strategy in March 2011, the authority has identified
that it wishes to maintain its presence and influence on a number of
national and regional bodies considering coastal management and
adaptation issues. It is therefore proposed that Peter Frew be asked
to represent the Council’s interests at such forums over the period to
31st March 2012.
Conclusions:
That Peter Frew be engaged to represent the Council on a number of
national and regional coastal management and policy bodies as per a
prepared proposal.
Recommendations:
Cabinet is asked to agree to the suspension of Standing Orders to
allow the appointment of Peter Frew as per an agreed schedule of
works, to represent the authority on a number of national and regional
bodies, until 31st March 2012.
Cabinet member(s):
Ward(s) affected:
Cllr A Fitch-Tillett
Coastal wards
Steve Blatch - 01263 516232
Contact Officer, telephone number,
Steve.Blatch@north-norfolk.gov.uk
and e-mail:
1.0
Proposal to procure coastal management services through a contract
1.1
After eighteen years of service with the District Council, Peter Frew, Head of Coastal
Strategy announced his wish to retire, at no cost to the authority, from his full-time
employment with the Council with effect from the 31st March 2011.
1.2
In his role as Head of Coastal Strategy, Peter Frew was widely respected due to his
technical knowledge and experience of coastal protection and adaptation issues and
represented the Council’s interests on a number of high level national and regional
bodies and committees – including the LGA Coastal Issues Special Interest Group;
meetings with Defra regarding the evaluation of the Pathfinder programme; and in
established meetings with Defra and the Environment Agency in respect of the new
Regional Flood and Coast Defence Committee arrangements.
1.3
Whilst revised management arrangements have been agreed and put in place by the
authority with respect to the future delivery of its coast protection functions following
Peter Frew’s decision to retire; the Council is concerned that it will, at least in the shortterm, have a lower profile and influence at a national and regional level with regards to
Cabinet
04 July 2011
coastal management and adaptation issues at a time of significant changes in marine
management and planning policy.
1.4
Discussions have therefore been held with Peter Frew proposing that he continues to
provide the authority with professional advice and support equivalent to two days per
week through until 31st March 2012. This would involve him continuing to represent the
authority at the national and regional meetings detailed at paragraph 1.2 above. In
addition, he would support the authority in recruiting a Coastal Engineer who would be
employed to provide the Council with continuing in-house capacity to manage the
Council’s coast defence structures.
1.5
Peter Frew has advised that on the basis of the Council’s requirements detailed at
paragraph 1.4 above that he would be able to pro vide the authority with such support for
the sum of £34,000. This is considered to represent value for money for the authority,
offering a saving of some £40,000 over the direct cost of a full-time appointment.
1.6
Cabinet is therefore asked to confirm the suspension of Standing Orders to allow the
engagement of Peter Frew as detailed at paragraph 1.4 above, recognising the
particular skills and experience he has in representing the authority on such national and
regional bodies.
2.0
Financial Implications
2.1
The engagement of Peter Frew on the basis of an agreed proposal would cost the
authority £34,000 during the current financial year. Budgetary provision exists within the
Coastal Management budget to allow this appointment, whilst delivering savings against
the staff budget allocated for coastal services during 2011/12.
3.0
Risks
3.1
There are not considered to be any risks associated with this proposal. Indeed, the
proposal allows the Council to retain key skills and influence on a number of national
and regional bodies whilst new structures and management arrangements with respect
to coastal management issues are established within the authority.
4.0
Equality and Diversity issues
4.1
There are no equality and diversity issues raised by this report.
5.0
Crime and Disorder
5.1
There are no crime and disorder issues raised by this report.
6.0
Sustainability
6.1
There are no sustainability issues raised by this report.