Decision details

The Cabinet Member considered the report of the Leisure and Tourism Director on the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) Beach Lifeguard Partnership Proposal indicating that a proposal had been raised to develop a partnership approach to managing beach safety on the Sefton Coast between Sefton Council and RNLI; and indicating that in order to undertake an assessment of personnel, procurement and risks in relation to the proposal, Cabinet Member approval was required.

The report indicated that the RNLI had discussed potential partnerships with a number of Councils in the north and had expressed a desire to work with Sefton Council; that existing lifeguard provision provided by Sefton Council meant that there were no dedicated facilities on beaches along the coast; that, if approved, the partnership would cost Sefton Council for patrol time only; that there would be no requirement to fund training, uniform, buildings, vehicles and equipment which would be undertaken by RNLI; that the RNLI would provide on beach accommodation; and that RNLI would roll out its national safety awareness and education programme across Sefton, providing information to schools, individual groups and the wider public.

The partnership would not result in the establishment of a RNLI lifeboat in Sefton but could build a stronger relationship with other declared facilities, such as Southport Lifeboat. 

Due to international work, RNLI could offer all year round employment to Beach Lifeguards, allocating work in different countries according to seasonal variations.  Sefton’s existing beach lifeguards were aware of the partnership approach by the RNLI and had been advised accordingly.

RESOLVED: That

(1)               officers be authorised to complete the “Agreement for the Provision of Lifeguard Services” in order to establish the Beach Lifeguard Partnership with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) (Beach Lifeguards) so that it may commence on April 1 2010; and

(2)              the Legal and Democratic Services Director be authorised to enter into a contract with the RNLI for a period of five years.