During  a meeting between  DOC and the EA  early in  December 2008 DOC had requested to receive monthly progress updates from the EA regarding  the scheme  in order to keep its members and  communities on the Marsh fully informed . We are delighted to report that the EA  agreed to provide these updates and we have just received their first progress report on the Strategy for January 2009 as follows:-

Folkestone to Cliff End Strategy

Strategy Approval
Over the last few weeks, we have been clarifying a number of issues and making minor amendments to the strategy documents and our hard work and persistence has now paid off. The strategy has been recommended for approval by our National Review Group (NRG).  NRG provide a technical review of a strategy to make sure that public money is being spent wisely and in the right places.  NRG have recommended this strategy be approved by our Board.  This is fantastic news and we are really pleased as this is a big hurdle to get over in the process of strategy approval.

The strategy will now go to DEFRA for them to review the issues associated with the Dungeness Special Area of Conservation.   Once this review is completed and any issues resolved, the strategy will go before our Board for approval.

Newsletter
We are finalising a newsletter which will be sent out to all those who commented on the draft strategy, together with local authorities and statutory consultees.  The newsletter summarises the feedback from the consultation and gives a brief outline of progress on individual schemes.  We anticipate distributing the newsletter w/c 19 January 2009.

Broomhill Scheme
We have been working on our draft proposals for community input into the scheme.  We have arranged a meeting for Friday 30 January 2009 with key groups to present and discuss these proposals.  We are really keen to hear at that meeting what you think and whether we have the balance right.

Interim Beach Works
The shingle we are placing on the beach is planned to continue through to March 09.  We continue to monitor the beach and associated levels.

External Relations Officer, Environment Agency.

The Newsletter mentioned in the EA update has not yet been published but DOC will provide you with the appropriate link on our website  as and when it becomes available.