Agenda item

The need for an audit of the facilities at Thanet beaches and bays was identified by the executive early on as it was important to know exactly what was required to be done to make the most of these facilities. The cost of beach management was around £1million per annum to local taxpayers through the Council.

Cabinet’s view was that every penny spent in managing the beaches and bays as an investment in not only the district’s tourism product but in the wellbeing of all local residents. There were a large number of stakeholders involved in developing this plan. The exercise was led by consultants.

The Council now had a huge task in developing project plans and engaging with stakeholders to take some of the larger aspirations of the plan forward. Through the reserves allocated to delivering the Destination Management Plan and Interreg funding; Consultants have been commissioned to develop a feasibility plan and proposal for a beach club at Ramsgate main sands.

Councillor D. Saunders and Councillor Bruce spoke under Council Procedure Rule 24.1.

Councillor Johnston proposed, Councillor Nicholson seconded and Members agreed the following:

That Cabinet adopt the Beach Management Plan and agree option 2 to the Cabinet report; to allow officers to take forward the required work as identified in paragraphs 3.2 and 3.3 of the report, subject to existing delegations and budgetary restrictions.