Purpose

The beach lifeguard service on Brighton and
Hove’s beaches is currently managed directly by the council.
The Seafront Office oversees 13km of coastline from Hove Lagoon to
Saltdean. The season runs annually from the end of May to early
September. The lifeguards are responsible for managing emergency
responses to water and land-based incidents. A review of the
service has been undertaken to look at options available to manage
the lifeguard service from summer 2025.

Content

RESOLVED:
 
That Committee:
 

1. Noted that the soft market research identified in
the options review shows that the RNLI are currently the only
external organisation found to be operating beach lifeguard
services for local authorities.

 

2. Agreed that delegated authority be given to the
Corporate Director of City Services, in consultation with the
relevant cabinet portfolio holder, to conclude negotiations with
the RNLI leading to either the service being contracted out as
detailed in paras 4.6 to 4.11 or continuing in-house as detailed in
paras 4.3 to 4.5.