Wessex Regional Flood and Coastal Committee (RFCC)
The Regional Flood and Coastal Committee (RFCC) is a committee established by the Environment Agency under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 that brings together members appointed by Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFAs) and independent members with relevant experience for 3 purposes:
- to ensure there are coherent plans for identifying, communicating and managing flood and coastal erosion risks across catchments and shorelines
- to encourage efficient, targeted and risk-based investment in flood and coastal erosion risk management that represents value for money and benefits local communities
- to provide a link between the Environment Agency, LLFAs, other risk management authorities, and other relevant bodies to build understanding of flood and coastal erosion risks in its area
Map
Boundary map of the Wessex Regional Flood and Coastal Committee
Dates of meetings and papers
- Monday 21 October 2024 - meeting cancelled
- Tuesday 26 November 2024 – environment subgroup – virtual
- Thursday 12 December 2024 – virtual
- Thursday 23 January 2025 - location tbc
- Wednesday 30 April 2025 – location tbc
- Thursday 17 July 2025 – location tbc
- Thursday 23 October 2025 – location tbc
- Thursday 22 January 2026 – location tbc
Members of the public and press are welcome to attend as observers. If you would like more information on the upcoming meetings, to request copies of the agendas and papers or would like to join the meetings please email wessexrfcc@environment-agency.gov.uk.
Vacancies
We have 3 independent member vacancies. They are for:
- independent member, coastal - we are looking for an independent member with an interest in coastal processes, including flood and coastal erosion risks present at the coast
- independent member, conservation - we are looking for an independent member with a background in conservation
- independent member, general
These roles start on 1 April 2025.
Being a member of the committee is a fantastic opportunity to:
- get involved with issues that really matter in your area
- gain new skills, experience and build your network
- make a real difference to people’s lives, livelihoods and to the environment we all live in
You can find out more about these roles and apply on our recruitment website.
Members
The membership for the Committee is as follows:
| Member | Organisation |
|---|---|
| Rachel Gavey | Chairman |
| Paul Cobbing MBE | Environment Agency appointee (general issues) |
| Vicky Farwig | Environment Agency appointee (water and utility companies) |
| Peter Finney MBE | Environment Agency appointee (general issues) |
| Josie-Alice Kirby | Environment Agency appointee (general issues) |
| Ben Murray | Environment Agency appointee (coastal processes) |
| James Smith | Environment Agency appointee (general issues) |
| Claire Storer | Environment Agency appointee (general issues) |
| Janette Ward | Environment Agency appointee (nature, conservation and wider environmental issues) |
| Cllr Tim Ball | Bath and North East Somerset Council |
| Cllr Andy Hadley | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council |
| Cllr Andrew Brown | Bristol City Council |
| Cllr Shane Bartlett | Dorset Council |
| Cllr Paul McLain | Gloucestershire County Council |
| Cllr David Drew | Hampshire County Council |
| Cllr Annemieke Waite | North Somerset Council |
| Cllr Graham Oakes | Somerset Council |
| Cllr Simon Johnson | South Gloucestershire Council |
| Cllr Nic Puntis | Wiltshire Council |
Chairmen of Coastal Groups invited to attend meetings (Not Voting Members)
| Chairman | Coastal Group |
|---|---|
| John Cocker | Chairman, South West Coastal Group |
| John Buttivant | Chairman, Severn Estuary Coastal Group |
| Lyall Cairns | Chairman, Southern Coastal Group |
Contact details
WessexRFCC@environment-agency.gov.uk
Wessex RFCC Secretariat
Rivers House
Sunrise Business Park
Higher Shaftesbury Road
Blandford Forum
DT11 8ST