Council backs plan to leave Blue Flag beach awards

A council has agreed to opt out of an internationally recognised scheme promoting high-quality beaches.

Torbay Council in Devon voted unanimously to leave the Blue Flag awards after local leaders said it no longer met the bay's needs and had become too expensive, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Members were told the scheme's updated criteria made it impractical for smaller coves, with new requirements for designated zones for swimmers, surfers, boarders and motor craft.

However, councillor Swithin Long said a locally-run scheme which could take its place might be viewed as "Torbay Council marking its own homework".

The council heard the English Riviera Beach Standards (ERBS) scheme could replace Blue Flag if full council approval was given later this month.

A report said the new scheme promised to double the amount of water testing while costing £260,000 less than remaining in Blue Flag.

Councillor Jackie Thomas said the new scheme would "raise standards" rather than lower them while councillor Chris Lewis said it would be a "nightmare" to have to cordon off beaches into zones.

Councillor Martin Brook added: "I think the Blue Flag lot have shot themselves in the foot.

"Places all over the country are going to pull out of the scheme."

A council report said the ERBS would be more environmentally sensitive and better suited to the coastline's diverse marine environments and operational realities.

Breakwater, Broadsands, Meadfoot, Oddicombe, Preston and Torre Abbey Sands all have Blue Flag status.

Oddicombe has held its Blue Flag every year since the awards launched 38 years ago.

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