Join the LGA Coastal SIG
A stronger voice for coastal, estuarine and maritime communities.
The LGA Coastal Special Interest Group brings councils together to champion the interests of coastal, estuarine and maritime communities, raise the profile of shared challenges and opportunities, and influence national policy where it matters most. The group’s vision is to be the go-to voice for these communities and help make them thriving and resilient for the future.
Whether your authority is dealing with coastal adaptation, water quality, regeneration, flooding, maritime issues or beach and water safety, membership gives you direct access to a trusted network, shared expertise and a stronger collective voice.
Why join?
A stronger collective voice
The Coastal SIG gives member councils a credible, unified way to raise issues with government, agencies and Parliamentarians. It helps turn local concerns into a national conversation and provides a single point of contact for organisations wanting to engage with coastal local authorities.
Shared experience and expertise
Membership connects elected members and officers facing similar challenges across the country. Through quarterly meetings, the Senior Officers Group and themed working groups, councils can share learning, compare approaches and draw on real-world experience from other coastal authorities.
Better use of stretched resources
The Coastal SIG helps councils combine effort on policy consultations, evidence gathering, position statements and shared responses. That means less duplication, more weight behind submissions and better use of limited officer time.
Practical support for members
The group supports members through workshops, focused sessions, field visits, Lunch and Learn activity, partnership events and direct access to officers and members working on similar issues. It is built to be useful, not just worthy.
Innovation and learning
Through its working groups and partnerships, the Coastal SIG helps councils stay close to emerging issues, new ideas and nationally significant projects. It has also supported the development of reports and evidence on issues such as historic coastal landfill and coastal water quality.
What membership gives your council
-
A seat at the table on issues affecting coastal, estuarine and maritime communities
-
Access to a national network of elected members and officers
-
Opportunities to shape collective responses, reports and policy asks
-
Involvement in themed working groups and priority work areas
-
Regular engagement with government agencies and partner organisations
-
Access to shared learning, case studies, events and specialist insight
-
A stronger platform for raising your council’s priorities nationally
These benefits align directly with the SIG’s strategic priorities around knowledge sharing, political influence, coastal resilience, sustainable communities and improved funding for the coast.
Who can join?
Membership is open to local authorities with an interest in coastal, estuarine and maritime issues that are members of the Local Government Association, as well as associate LGA members in Wales. Membership is subscription-based for local authorities. External organisations are treated as partners rather than fee-paying members.
Each full member authority may nominate:
-
one lead councillor representative
-
one lead officer representative
This gives both political and officer-level engagement, which is one of the real strengths of the group.
Current areas of focus
The Coastal SIG’s work is shaped around the issues councils are actually dealing with. Its strategic priorities include:
-
knowledge sharing and innovation
-
political influence and advocacy
-
sustainable coastal and maritime communities
-
coastal resilience and adaptation
-
sufficient and sustainable funding for the coast
Working groups have included areas such as coastal adaptation, beach and water safety, FCERM funding and policy, coastal landfill and coastal water quality.
Membership fees
What members say
“I really value being part of the LGA Coastal SIG. The quarterly meetings are very informative, and it is brilliant to be able to take some of this knowledge and learning back to your own local authority.”
“Rather than why be a member, the question is really why not?”
“The cost of being a member is negligible when you think how much is available to you.”
Why it matters now
Coastal communities face significant challenges, from coastal change and flooding to regeneration, water quality and infrastructure.
Councils need stronger coordination, better evidence and a collective voice to address them. The Coastal SIG brings coastal authorities together to share knowledge, influence policy and strengthen the case for coastal communities.
Join the network
If your council wants to help shape the national conversation on coastal issues, learn from peers and strengthen its voice on matters affecting the coast, we’d welcome a conversation.
Contact us about membership
For membership enquiries, contact the LGA Coastal SIG Secretariat at lgacoastalsig@southtyneside.gov.uk