Information on the Wash East Coastal Management Strategy (WECMS) funding group
What is the WECMS Funding Group?
A funding group has been established to raise funds to maintain the shingle ridge sea defences between South Hunstanton and Snettisham. Members of the funding group include:
- Anglian Water
- Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk
- East Wash Coastal Management Community Interest Company
- Environment Agency
The funding group is now in year-8 of its 15-year programme of works for annual beach recycling. The partnership continues to work well to raise funds to complete annual works.
Why was the funding group established?
Prior to 2015, annual beach recycling was fully funded by central government grant in aid (GiA). A change in funding criteria now means only 41% of funding comes from GiA, meaning to continue annual works, the remaining 59% needs to be raised by the Funding Group. The Environment Agency has produced a briefing note which explains this in more detail.
In response, local landowners, businesses and commercial properties came together to establish the East Wash Coastal Management Community Interest Company (also known as the CIC) to collect funds from local landowners and commercial premises for the purpose of maintaining the shingle ridge. The EWCMCIC document provides a background to the CIC.
How much has been raised?
Each year the CIC contributes funding to the annual beach recycling. In addition to this, the CIC hold a significant surplus balance of approximately £1.3 million (as of May-2024) which could be used to contribute towards future works.
Between 2015-2020, Anglian Water contributed £100,000 towards annual beach recycling. Anglian Water have again contributed another £100,000 towards annual beach recycling between 2020-2025.
The Borough Council makes an annual contribution to beach recycling of £5,000. In addition, beach huts on Borough Council leased land at Heacham also pay £15 per year towards the funding group.
What is beach recycling?
The sea defences between South Hunstanton and Snettisham are made up of a shingle ridge and stretches of concrete defences. Wave action removes shingle from the ridge, reducing its height and the level of protection provided. To maintain the standard of protection provided by the shingle ridge, each year the Environment Agency leads work to re-profile the shingle ridge with material from further down the coastline at Snettisham Scalp. This process is called beach recycling.
Cost of annual beach recycling varies from year to year depending on the amount of material which needs to be moved to re-profile the shingle ridge. In general, approximately £150,000 is needed to complete annual beach recycling works.
Make a voluntary contribution
Voluntary contributions are being asked from individual owners, occupiers and local businesses. These voluntary contributions will help to make sure properties can continue to be protected.
The funding group suggests a yearly payment of:
- £15 for privately owned beach huts
- £50 for a caravan or chalet
- £100 for a small business
Please note if your beach hut is Borough Council owned, the £15 payment is mandatory as per contractual agreements.
You can make your voluntary contribution online.
To contribute to maintaining the shingle ridge sea defences funding between South Hunstanton and Snettisham you'll need:
- a valid debit or credit card
You can also pay by cheque. Post your cheque to:
Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk
King’s Court
Chapel Street
King’s Lynn
Norfolk
PE30 1EX
Made payable to ‘BCKLWN’ to us. Write on the back “local sea defence fund” with your name and address. We may use your name to acknowledge the funds being received (not the amount). Please indicate to us separately if you wish to opt out from this.