The Project Team

The SMP project team is led by Bournemouth Borough Council, a maritime local authority, in partnership with Purbeck, Poole, Christchurch and New Forest maritime local authorities, and the Environment Agency, together known as 'operating authorities'.

Three groups will drive the project forward, each with different but important interests in the coast and its management:

The Elected Members Forum (EMF) comprises Elected Members from each of the operating authorities together with Environment Agency Regional Flood Defence Committees, and be supported with observer representatives from Defra and Natural England.  This group will be presented with analytical conclusions to enable each authority to make informed strategic policy decisions, and help them understand the preferred policies they will be asked to adopt. EMF members Representing Councillor Robert Lawton Bournemouth Borough Council Councillor Mike Duckworth Christchurch Borough Council Councillor Fran Carpenter New Forest District Council Councillor Peter Adams Borough of Poole Councillor Nick Cake Purbeck District Council The EMF is chaired by Cllr Robert Lawton, Bournemouth Borough Council The Minutes of EMF meetings are available to view, together with notification of future meetings.

The Key Stakeholder Group (KSG) comprises representatives from all parties with an interest in the long-term management of the coastline. The group will act as a focal point for discussion and consultation at key stages of the development of the SMP with opportunities to provide direct feedback and information.  Sub-groups may be required if specialist issues or areas of concern need to be discussed. An inaugural meeting of the KSG is scheduled for Monday, 9th February 2009 - from 2.00pm-4.00pm at Mudeford Wood Community Centre, Christchurch, and from 7.00pm- 9.00pm at North Lounge, Passenger Terminal, Poole (details)

Operating Authorities - Maritime local authorities have certain permissive powers under the Coast Protection Act 1949 to undertake works to defend the coastline from erosion by the sea (coast protection).  The Environment Agency has permissive powers to undertake works to protect low-lying land from flooding (flood defence) and to manage flood risk.  Maritime local authorities and the Environment Agency are known as 'operating authorities'.