South West Coast Group Aims & Objectives

Aim
The overall aim of SWCG is to provide sound advice on coastal issues and be a strong influencer in optimising strategic and sustainable policies, plans and programmes to best manage the risk from sea flooding and coastal erosion (including sea cliff instability).  To be a natural and chosen forum for coastal practitioners to discuss issues, problems, solutions and to share best practice.  To be efficient in operation and to provide best value for the public purse.  To support the Environment Agency’s strategic overview role for the coast.

Principal Objectives
As a technical group, principally comprising of coastal managers, planners and others with a knowledge of shoreline management and operating in a strategic context, to be a source of expertise on the coast and to advise and influence the relevant Regional Flood (and Coastal) Defence Committees (RFDC) on matters relating to the coast.

To contribute to the Environment Agency’s (EA) preparation and delivery of a long term investment strategy for the management of public coastal flood and erosion risks, including both long term plans and delivery of annual programmes of works and maintenance to coastal flood and coastal defence assets.

Secondary Objectives
To recommend to the EA who is best placed to take the lead for Shoreline Management Plans and to work with others towards Integrated Coastal Strategies.

To identify, develop and disseminate best practice with regard to project management, procurement, delivery and general management associated with sea flooding and coastal erosion risk.

To encourage the development of a co-ordinated approach to the collection and storage of data relevant to the effective long term management of risks at the shoreline.

Through discussion with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Chairmen of RFDCs and the EA, to ensure the views of member organisations are considered and taken into account in the development and implementation of national policies and initiatives relating to the effective management of flood and erosion risks at the coastline.

To work closely with adjacent coastal groups and EA RFDCs in advising on any mutual matters of interest relating to managing sea flooding and erosion at the shoreline.