Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Place Services.

(a)    That funding of £2.5 million as a capital grant for the New Option of Swanage Town Council’s Green Seafront Ground Stabilisation Project be approved; and, authority be delegated to agree the terms and enter into a grant agreement for this purpose to the Executive Director for Regeneration, Infrastructure and Growth in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Place Services and Dorset Council’s Section 151 Officer.

(b)    That the allocation of £2.5 million funding from the Local Transport Grant for the Shore Road Highway Improvement Project, be approved; and, authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Regeneration, Infrastructure and Growth in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Place Services to update the Highway Improvements Capital Programme.

Reason for the decision

The decision promotes targeted investment in two complementary Swanage seafront projects that enhance safety, accessibility and public spaces while strengthening coastal resilience, supporting communities and boosting the local economy.

The Cabinet Member for Place Services introduced the report highlighting the importance of Swanage’s seafront to the town’s identity, economy and community, and the growing risks it faced from ground instability, accessibility, challenges and climate change.

He advised that Dorset Council and Swanage Town Council had worked in partnership to bring forward two complementary projects to address these issues.

The Leader of the Council welcomed Cllr G Suttle and Cllr C Tomes as the local ward members for Swanage. They expressed their support for the proposal, highlighting the benefits of both the Green Seafront project along with the Shore Road project that would enhance pedestrian safety and the quality of a key seafront route.

Members acknowledged that these schemes represented a coordinated £5 million investment by Dorset Council, to support wider funding secured by the Town Council ensuring that Swanage could continue to thrive for residents, visitors and the wider community.

It was proposed by Cllr J Andrews and seconded by Cllr B Wilson.

Decision

(a)    That funding of £2.5 million as a capital grant for the New Option of Swanage Town Council’s Green Seafront Ground Stabilisation Project be approved; and, authority be delegated to agree the terms and enter into a grant agreement for this purpose to the Executive Director for Regeneration, Infrastructure and Growth in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Place Services and Dorset Council’s Section 151 Officer.

(b)    That the allocation of £2.5 million funding from the Local Transport Grant for the Shore Road Highway Improvement Project, be approved; and, authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Regeneration, Infrastructure and Growth in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Place Services to update the Highway Improvements Capital Programme.

Reason for the decision

The decision promotes targeted investment in two complementary Swanage seafront projects that enhance safety, accessibility and public spaces while strengthening coastal resilience, supporting communities and boosting the local economy.