A ONE million pounds scheme to stabilise the cliffs of North Hill above Minehead Harbour and Quay Street has been delayed because of staff shortages and ‘poor governance’ within Somerset Council.

Rock falls and land slips on North Hill have happened on a number of occasions in the past few decades as a result of erosion.

The former Somerset West and Taunton Council (SWT) set aside up to £1 million in February, 2023, for stabilisation work which was intended to keep the cliffs safe for the next 50 years, protecting both residents and visitors.

But, three years later and unitary councillors have been told that a lack of staff in County Hall has delayed the scheme and there was still no indication how soon it could be carried out.

SWT at the time paid consultants WSP £62,000 to design a scheme for ‘slope stabilisation’ involving the installation of a ‘high tensile steel fence’ along the base of the cliffs and above homes in Quay Street.

The fence was intended to catch any falling debris, such as soil, stones, and rocks, preventing damage to properties and the road.

Since then, the cliff face has shown ‘signs of instability and increased risk’ to locals and visitors, according to Somerset Council’s own risk assessment.

Funding for the stabilisation work was included in the council’s annual budget which was signed off by councillors in March of this year.

The capital programme shows £962,000 is in place for the scheme, which is intended to be spent in its entirety by next April.

However, councillors were told on Thursday (June 25) there were several issues holding back the delivery of the scheme.

They were told about ‘resource constraints due to recruitment challenges’, ‘poor governance’ which required ‘corporate-wide action’ to put right, and a ‘loss of knowledge’ as a result of staff changes brought about by different phases of the council’s transformation programme.

The authority was originally due to complete ‘options and feasibility works’ by the end of May, but the report to councillors showed only a quarter of the necessary work had actually been completed.

Councillors were told that in order to remedy the situation, the appropriate service manager within the council was ‘being dedicated to focus on coastal risk matters solely for the next three months’.

A council spokesperson said: “Our new asset management register for flooding and coastal areas is close to being completed.

“Drones have been commissioned to provide aerial inspections of our assets to give us a clear picture of current risk and the immediate works needed.

“Recruitment is currently underway to try and recruit a new principal flood and coastal engineer, and a separate flood and coastal engineer to support the broader technical guidance and asset management for the service.

“Our local community networks, local councillors, town and parish councils, and flooding action groups will be updated on our current plans and actions in play to address North Hill, as well as the other coastal risks.”