Later this morning, Bridgend Council’s cabinet is to discuss an extension to the summer lifeguard scheme, provided by the RNLI (pdf).
The partnership started as a pilot, but BCBC believes the time has come to put it on firmer footing.
They propose a 3-year deal, which would see BCBC (£38,000), Porthcawl Town Council (£2,000) and Riverdean/Trecco Bay Holiday Park (£12,000) contribute a combined £52,000 a year until 2020, with that dropping to £50,000 for the 2020-21 tourist season (with Porthcawl Town Council seemingly dropping out).
The RNLI will be expected to contribute just over £45,000 in 2018-19, rising to just under £50,700 in 2020-21. BCBC believe the “certainty” provided by their own contribution to the scheme should make it easier for the RNLI to raise the necessary funding through donations.
The report says, “The RNLI will manage the recruitment, training, event cover, equipment, uniforms, supervision and management of lifeguards and ensure the shared use of facilities and joint working arrangements with local clubs within the parameters of the agreed resources.”
The report continues, “Research conducted by the RNLI and Oxford Economics has demonstrated the value of a seasonal lifeguard service to a coastal economy through factors such as increased revenue generation, reduced costs to the National Health Service and reduced anti-social behaviour.”
