Although attendance was low probably partly to do with the freezing temperatures and partly to do with over exposure to the subject brought about by last years Pathfinder project key figures, including Great Yarmouth MP Brandon Lewis and senior officers and councillors from Great Yarmouth Borough Council were present.
The Chairman of SCEG, Chris Hogg, welcomed everyone and thanked all those who have contributed by means of support and fund raising. He thanked the Parish Council of Ormesby St Margaret with Scratby for the free use of the Village Centre for the meeting. He also announced that this year would be the last AGM in January and that next year the end of March will be aimed for.
He highlighted the fact that a small minority of Scratby residents blame SCEG for drawing attention to coastal erosion thus causing a drop in property prices. He pointed out that the publication of the Shoreline Management Plan 2 in 2004 which declared Scratby beach as an area of ‘no active intervention’ was the culprit and SCEG were campaigning to overturn that designation. Later in the meeting Malcolm Kerby, Chairman of the National Voice of Coastal Communities based in Happisburgh said that he had had the same reaction there. Officers from GYBC confirmed that Property searches have for some time been referring to the risks faced by coastal properties. Ignoring the problem in the hope that it will go away is not an option.
Chris also stressed that SCEG are in need of volunteers as SCEG will continue to pursue their aims and whether it’s the Rock Berm or a Pathfinder type option sourcing funding will require a major community effort.
The first speaker was Tim Howard, Head of Regeneration and Environment at GYBC. Tim spoke about SMP 2 which has still not yet been finalised. The latest requirement is that the local plan now needs to cover the geographic area of North Norfolk District Council and Waveney District Council as well as GYBC. This in itself is a challenge and it is hoped to reach mutual agreement by the end of February. Although NNDC is the lead authority GYBC will be fighting hard to see that local interests are covered. It is anticipated that the ‘no active intervention’ category for Scratby will be replaced with ‘managed realignment’ and furthermore that throughout the coast of the three councils ‘ no active intervention’ will no longer be a category. This means that as long as funds are available some work will be permitted. The final version of SMP2 will be out to consultation around June and GYBC will be very active in encouraging public participation. An SMP however must in place before any work can be carried out. It should not be feared however but should be considered to be a useful document beneficial to the community.
Bernard Harris, Coastal Manager of GYBC reported on the current status of the Scratby Rock Berm Extension Project. More information is being submitted to the Environment Agency by February 8th and it is hoped to receive their response by February 22nd.
John Hemsworth the Scratby Coastal Pathfinder Project Leader reported that the final report will be available in February. He stressed that it has been a community project and that the report will reflect the views of all those who were consulted. Generally the residents of Scratby would like it to stay as it is.
Brandon Lewis MP has recently accepted the position of Co-Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Coastal Issues. The next meeting is due on February 8th in Westminster at which SCEG will be represented. Brandon said that they are currently trying to change rules which prevent any work being carried out at community level. He offered his continued support to Scratby community and SCEG.
Malcolm Kerby referred to consultation documents that are currently in circulation from the EA. He stressed how important it is that they are responded to as it is the number of responses that have an effect. One in particular refers to funding of coastal defence schemes. This effectively means that the requirement for a large percentage of local funding will give a totally unfair advantage to wealthy communities whereas ordinary coastal villages will lose out. This is totally undemocratic. He also pointed out that no active intervention in SMP 2 is unacceptable.
Members of the SCEG Committee agreed to continue in office for the next year.