Welcome to the South East Coastal Group website!
This website is designed to be a hub for all coastal information for Kent and Sussex; including the latest coastal defence scheme news, Shoreline Management Plans (SMP’s), Beach Management Plans (BMP’s), Shingle Sediment Budget’s, strategies, general information, useful links and contacts.
Who are we?
We are the Regional Coastal Group for South East England who bring together local authorities, the Environment Agency and other maritime operating organisations to achieve co-ordinated strategic management of the shoreline between the Thames Barrier and Selsey Bill.
History of the South East Coastal Group
Before 2008 the coastal group existed as two smaller coastal groups; South East (Thames Barrier to Beachy Head) and the South Downs (Beachy Head to Selsey Bill). In 2008 they amalgamated into a single larger South East Coastal Group. We are one of seven similar strategic groups in England and are a technical group formed of coastal and port engineers, managers and planners who operate in the strategic framework to deliver coast protection. We support the delivery of plans, studies and schemes by providing co-ordination, facilitating communication and offering advice and guidance to our member organisations. The detailed management and day-to-day maintenance of the coast is undertaken by the individual coastal authorities and the Environment Agency, not the South East Coastal Group.
Roles and responsibilities
- Chairman – Bryan Curtis – Independent
- Secretary – Simon Herrington – Independent
- Vice Chair SMP 9 – Priscilla Haselhurst – Internal Drainage Board
- Vice Chair SMP 10 – Liam Wooltorton – Canterbury City Council
- Vice Chair SMP 11– Andy Crates – Environment Agency
- Vice Chair SMP 12 – Karl McLaughlin – Arun District Council
SECG principles
- Work in a professional and practical manner, paying due regard to Defra, regional and local policies and guidance
- Work in close collaboration with other disciplines, in recognition of the impact which technical management of the coast has on environmental, economic and social issues
- Concentrate its activities at the strategic level of operation with due regard to members’ operational activities where appropriate
- Work in cooperation with Defra and other coastal groups
- Ensure that, in developing Shoreline Management Plans, due regard is taken of risk management, land use planning and other strategic plans prepared by partner organisations which have an influence on the wider coastal zone
- Maintain awareness and understanding of current technical and policy developments as well as initiatives that are likely to have a bearing on coastal management as carried out by member authorities
- Lobby on behalf of Group members on matters of strategic and specific interest to them in their role as operating authorities
- Be financed by means of contributions paid by member authorities
These are achieved by:
- Taking forward the recommendations of SMPs
- Overseeing the production of Coastal Defence Strategies
- Ensuring that the management of the shoreline is carried out in a coordinated manner; and ultimately
- Keeping the SMPs under review
Other coastal groups
There are seven strategic coastal groups in England, as prescribed by Defra in March 2008:
North East Coastal Group St Abb’s Head to Gibraltar Point
East Anglia Coastal Group Gibraltar Point to Thames Barrier
Southern Coastal Group Selsey Bill to Portland Bill
South West Coastal Group Portland Bill to Hartland Point
North West England & North Wales Coastal Group Great Orme to Solway Firth
Bristol Channel Strategic Group comprising: Hartland Point to St Govan’s Head
North Devon & Somerset Coastal Advisory Group
Swansea Carmarthen Bay Coastal Engineering Group
Ynys Enlli to Llandudno Coastal Group Geraint Edwards