2025 NEWSLETTER

Bognor Regis Town Council Community Survey 2025

Following the stream of responses received via the Community Survey in last year’s newsletter, Bognor Regis Town Council are once again seeking your help in letting us know the aims and priorities we should be focusing on, that are important to you! By scanning the QR code to access and complete the Community Survey 2025, you can help influence the shape of our future plans and budgets. We want to create a strategy that reflects the wants and needs of the residents of Bognor Regis and prepare future budgets to support this. Help us to help you, by taking this opportunity to participate in this important information gathering exercise. Thank you for your time!

To complete the survey please click here

Message from the Mayor (2024-2025) Cllr. Miss. Claire Needs

Welcome to the 2025 Bognor Regis Town Council Newsletter! Having been a Bognor Regis Town Councillor and an Arun District Councillor for nearly six years, it has truly been the honour of a lifetime to have served as your Mayor since May 2024. I have felt both proud and humbled to have been able to see so many wonderful aspects of our community, through my position and to have been invited to so many wonderful and eye-opening events, thank you to all those who have extended an invitation. The first engagement I attended as Mayor was the ‘flower power’ themed Bognor Regis Carnival all the way back in May, which was a wonderful event to kick off my tenure. In June, we joined with local communities throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, UK overseas territories and the five beaches of Normandy in the lighting of our seafront beacon to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of D-Day. This special event featured performances from 'A Salute to Vera Lynn', Piper McKay and the reading of the International Tribute and Proclamation, by the Bognor Regis Town Crier. With special celebrations for the Town’s Armed Forces Day just a few weeks later, June was certainly a poignant and important month.

We also enjoyed the second-ever Bognor Regis Town Crier Competition, on a sunny day along the seafront and welcomed visitors from our German twinned towns of Weil am Rhein and Trebbin. The Hampshire Avenue Fun Days provided a range of play equipment for young people at the beginning of the summer holidays and our Funshine Days put on by the Town Council’s wonderful Events Team ensured there was no time for boredom throughout the duration of the six weeks, with a variety of activities and workshops. Dino Day, Illuminate Bognor Regis and the Bognor Regis Carnival Association’s ‘Puppy Love’ event were fantastic attributes to the 2024 event programme, with the Southdowns Music Festival and Bognor Regis Puppet Party also boosting the Town’s tourism and footfall.

More recently crowds gathered in their hundreds to pay their respects at this year’s Remembrance Sunday Service at the War Memorial on Clarence Road. The Parade featured Veterans as well as representatives from local Scout and Cadet forces, and the moving Service was taken by Father Keith Hodges, of Saint Wilfrid Church, the Parish Church of Bognor Regis Town Council.

Over the Christmas period, the ‘Big Switch at 6’ encompassed a variety of live music and entertainment, leading up to the switching on of the Town’s Christmas lights and the ‘Ice Skating in the Park’ proved a huge festive hit, taking us into January.

There’s been some great progress on youth provision in the Town this year, which Bognor Regis Town Council have been keen to promote. In 2024 we have had the reopening of the 39 Club, the launch of the Youth Community Garden and reopening of the Phoenix Centre, and in September, Bognorphenia held their ‘Our Generation Young Peoples Day’, which really showcased the talent, ambition and skill of our local young people.

It’s been an honour to have been raising vital funds for my Mayoral charity this year, which has been Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice. I’ve been involved with the charity for a number of years, taking part in various fundraisers and it was important to me to recognise this existing relationship and use my year as Mayor as a platform and further opportunity to raise money for this deserving children’s charity. Thank you to those who have donated, either via our website, or in one of the many collection buckets located in shops around the Town. These will be in situ- for a few more weeks, so if you do have any change when doing your shopping and you happen to see my bucket for Chestnut Tree House, please do consider adding to the cause! The Town Council’s Civic Service held at the end of 2024 and the Civic Reception to be held at the end of March provide extra opportunity to raise funds, and I’m looking forward to being able to present the charity with the cheque totalling the amount raised during my Mayoral year, before the end of my tenure.

Looking forward and I’m certain 2025 will be another memorable and enjoyable year, here in Bognor Regis. With development work on important projects for the Town now in full-swing, commemorations to mark VE Day-80 to come on 8th May and another full programme of events set to take place, I hope you’ll agree that Bognor Regis’ status as a vibrant tourist destination, with plenty to offer, is on the rise.

We hope you will be able to take the time to browse through the articles that follow …

40th Anniversary of BRTC

In 2025, Bognor Regis Town Council will celebrate its 40th birthday! Following the abolishment of Bognor Urban Council, which had been at the centre of local government from 1894 to 1974, the Local Government Act of 1972 brought into fruition Arun District Council, merging the urban districts of Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, the municipal borough of Arundel and parts of Chichester and Worthing rural districts. Bognor Regis Town Council is one of 159 town and parish councils in West Sussex. Arun is one of seven district and borough councils in the county and West Sussex County Council the other principal council providing services to Bognor Regis.

Bognor Regis Town Council provides local services for residents and visitors that improve the quality of life, such as floral displays, events, allotments and improved street-care services. It endeavours to advocate for the town to other statutory providers, such as the District and County Councils and Sussex Police. It does this by commenting on planning applications, consultations or perhaps taking other authorities to task on matters of concern.

The first Mayor of Bognor Regis Town Council in 1985 was the late Alderman, Mrs Pat Stinchcombe, who was a driving force behind the formation of Bognor Regis Neighbourhood Council, the forerunner of our present Bognor Regis Town Council today. Unlike the year long term in the Mayoral office today, Mrs Stinchcombe served in the Chair for the first two years of Bognor Regis Town Council’s formation, with Cllr Tom Boothman taking over the reins for the following four years.

In 1992, the Town Council, still in its infancy, ‘lead the way in enhancing local democracy’, being the first Town to consult with their electorate and abide by the outcome of such consultation, through a town poll also known as a referendum. Not only was this a great example of democracy, but Bognor Regis Town Council made history, with this having been the first time electronic polling machines had been used in Britain. This information was reported to the general public, through the Town Council’s 1993 newsletter, by then Mayor and current Town Councillor, Cllr Francis Oppler.

The Town Council has always championed the maintaining of important community assets in Bognor Regis, from the referendum to save The Regis Centre, Museum, weather station and public toilets in the 1990’s to the purchasing of the Picturedrome Cinema in 2010.

Our coat of arms which celebrates its 90th anniversary in 2025, features the six martlets of Sussex with the arms of Sir Richard Hotham, the founder of Bognor as a seaside resort. In 1929, Bognor was granted the Royal Suffix of “Regis” by King George V and in 1935, Bognor Regis was granted a genuine coat of arms. The official grant of arms is housed in the Council Chamber at the Town Hall and kept covered to protect it from light but traditionally uncovered during official Council Meetings. In 1944, the residents of Bognor Regis had the opportunity to choose their own motto and on 25th June 1945 it was recommended that the chosen motto “To Excel” should be adopted.

2025/26 Budget Report

Dear Resident

It’s been another difficult year for most of us with the problems people face induced by the cost-of-living crisis. The Town Council has concentrated on relieving the pressure on its residents as far as possible, on elements that are within its control, by fixing its precept at the same level as last year whilst attempting to maintain our contributions to the services and events that are important to the residents of Bognor Regis.

In addition to the services and events run by the Town Council and by outside bodies, it is pleasing that Arun District Council are continuing to run the 2-hour Free Parking Scheme which plays such an important part in the commercial life of Bognor Regis. The Business Warden Scheme, supported by the Town Council, improves the Town Centre experience for many residents and visitors alike and we are pleased to maintain this for the next financial year. The Town Council representatives and staff continue to receive feedback praising the work of Town Force in removing rubbish and graffiti thus improving the look and feel of our Town. Town Force also play a vital part in preparing for and safeguarding events held in Bognor Regis.

We will continue to support our young people, delivering funding to local youth work organisations as well as planning once again to offer a variety of free entertainment during the summer months both by running our own events and supporting outside bodies to run events by providing financial contributions.

The ceremonial turning on of the Christmas Lights, by the Mayor in the Town Centre attended by many residents, once again illustrates the power of working together with local businesses as well as the wider community, and the Town Council was proud to continue to play their part by supplying the Christmas Lights, which were warmly received and will be back again this year.

Cllr. Bob Waterhouse - Chair of Policy and Resources Committee

Please click here for full details of this year's budget

25th Anniversary of Town Force

In 2000 the Town Council established a Town Force team to improve the appearance of the town, deal with any work needed at the allotments and assist with local events run by the Town Council and by third parties. This small team of four multi-skilled individuals is led by the Town Force Manager and is headed up by the Town Force Supervisor who, in liaison with the Town Force Manager, plans daily tasks and oversees the quality of work carried out.

The role of Town Force has evolved over the years, and they are now involved in a much greater variety of jobs around the town and generate income for the Town Council through contracted work.

Through Town Force, the Town Council offers a free graffiti removal service to businesses and residents within the Town Council's area. The swift removal of graffiti, particularly any that contains offensive words, helps to stop areas looking neglected, which would have the potential to encourage other antisocial behaviour and possibly increase the fear of crime in the area.

Another large part of Town Force’s work focuses around ‘beautifying’ the Town. Planting bulbs and bedding plants, landscaping roundabouts and other small areas, installing and maintaining some of the Town's hanging baskets, cutting back foliage and mowing grassed areas all improve the general appearance and raise the image of the Town.

With sustainability and climate change taking such a front seat globally in recent years, the Town Force team have been working hard to ensure they source and use sustainable and pollinator-friendly plants in our Town Council planters, which you can enjoy all around the Town. In addition, they have also reduced the amount of bedding plants used, instead replacing much of these with shrubs which as well as being more sustainable and cost effective, also require far less watering. Any green waste accumulated by the team is sent to a local allotment site for composting.

The Town Council, through the Town Force team, also offer sponsorship of their planters to local businesses. Whilst many are currently sponsored, there are a few which are not. If you, or a business you know, may be interested in this advertising opportunity, please have a look at the ‘Planter Sponsorship’ section of the Town Council’s website where more information on the scheme can be found including a list of available sites and prices.

VE Day 80

On Thursday 8th May 2025, we celebrate VE Day 80, marking the 80th Anniversary of the end of the War in Europe and WWII, as a whole. Following the huge success in commemorating D-Day 80 last year, communities throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories will be honouring this important Anniversary, with the lighting of Beacons and Lamp Lights of Peace. We are extremely proud to announce that further to her writing of the official Proclamation, which marked Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022, our Bognor Regis Town Crier, Mrs Jane Smith, has been chosen as the Principal Town Crier, writing the VE Day 80 Proclamation, which will be read by Town Criers across the land. Jane has said of this achievement “by the time of the 85th Anniversary of VE Day there will be few veteran survivors from the conflict. This year’s 80th celebration is therefore especially poignant. The widespread publicity that anniversaries such as this attracts in Bognor Regis, reflects so admirably upon our Town and I’m immensely proud to play a role in that again this year.”
With celebratory events expected to take place in towns and cities all over the country, Bognor Regis Town Council are currently planning their commemoration, which will include lighting of the seafront beacon, and more details on how you can help us celebrate will be made available as soon as possible.

To download the ‘Guide to Taking Part’, please visit the official website by clicking here

Youth Provision

Youth provision continues to be a main priority for Bognor Regis Town Council, ensuring that our Town is a great place to grow up in, with support for parents and young people being included as one of the five main priorities identified in the recently developed Corporate Strategy for implementation between 2024-2027.

Over the past year, £12,500 has been awarded to various Youth Club’s to ensure the continuation and growth of their current services. The recipients of funding, following their successful grants, included the 39 Youth Club, Bognorphenia CIC and the Bognor Regis Youth & Community Centre. Previous Mayor, Cllr. Francis Oppler was delighted to present cheques to each of the organisations in early 2024, who were thrilled with the generous contributions from Bognor Regis Town Council.

With the 2024/2025 round of grants for the Youth and Young Persons Budget having now closed, Members of the Environmental and Leisure Committee reviewed the applications received at their Extraordinary Meeting held on 2nd December 2024. Funding to the four successful applicants was formerly awarded by the Mayor, Cllr. Claire Needs in January 2025 and serves as a contribution toward a variety of exciting projects and youth groups.

See below for what each has planned with their respective funding…

South Coast Skate Club - Awarded £2,765

South Coast Skate Club CIC believe that all children should have access to a positive activity that supports mental and physical wellbeing no matter their social standing. Set up in 2019 up as a Community Interest Company, they look to support children and young people from different backgrounds with the focus being in areas of high deprivation.

Using skateboarding as a tool, they support many young people to get active and challenge themselves by helping them overcome barriers they may face, through creating new friendships, possibilities and allowing them to have the best view of life when they need it most.

“The funding will go toward running costs of lessons over school holidays at Rock Gardens Skatepark in Bognor Regis, to give all young people in the area the chance to learn a new skill and have fun!”

Making Theatre Gaining Skills - Awarded £5,000

MTGS is an arts training enterprise, providing local people with skilled tutors, offering a combination of professional work experience, creative skills, training and supported employability, focused on activities that are both practical and purposeful. Utilising a unique and ingenious pop-up theatre, the participants engage in a variety of tasks, helping them become more confident and resilient.

“The grant from Bognor Regis Town Council will support two inter-linked projects; the third Bognor Regis Puppet Festival scheduled to take place at the end of May 2025 and the establishment of a new and unique traineeship course in Puppetry and Production Skills which will run for the academic year and will include the creation of performances to be included in the Puppet Festival”.

Bognor Regis Youth & Community Centre - Awarded £3,000

The Centre provides a safe, warm and engaging space, catering to the needs of local young people of all ages and backgrounds, operating regular drop-in sessions which support not just young people, but also their families, experiencing the continued struggle of the cost-of-living.

Also being home to a range of other organisations who operate several activities such as boxing, English lessons and holiday activities, an average of 613 people come through the doors every month.

“The funding awarded by the Town Council's Environmental and Leisure Committee, will support delivery of the regular activities provided, including the drop-in sessions, provision of hot food and new lighting for the staging area”.

Bognorphenia C.I.C. - Awarded £2,500

Bognorphenia C.I.C. are a community interest company that brings people of all ages together to celebrate the past, present, and future through music, art and community events, providing free music lessons, work experience at events in all areas, with opportunities to learn new skills.

“The funding will help with the continuation of the Bognorphenia Music Project, by contributing to the provision of experienced teachers to help nurture the young people’s talent for singing, guitar and keyboard”.

**If you are interested in applying for future funding for youth provision benefiting the young people of Bognor Regis, keep an eye on our website in the coming months!**

45th Anniversary of Twinning - Saint Maur

Bognor Regis has a rich history in twinning and is officially twinned with three Towns; Saint-Maur-des-Fossés, Weil am Rhein and Trebbin. You may have noticed signs as you enter the Town depicting this, as well as outside the Town Hall. The importance of these relationships continues to remain as strong as ever, with both Bognor Regis Town Council, the Bognor Regis Twinning Association and our counterparts from our twinned towns in France and Germany recognising the need in today’s modern world, of harbouring and cherishing these special, collaborative relationships.

The first of the three towns to form an official twinning status with Bognor Regis, was Saint-Maur-des-Fossés, a commune in Val-de-Marne in the southeastern suburbs of Paris, located approximately 11.7 kilometres from the centre of Paris. 2025 marks the 45th anniversary of our twinning with Saint-Maur-des-Fossés, over which time, there have been countless visits between our towns, enabling the opportunity of experiencing the differing cultures, languages, hospitalities and fostering friendships which have benefitted so many, including many young people over the years who have taken part in the trips.

Most recently in 2022, past Mayor, Cllr Steve Goodheart enjoyed the hospitality of our friends from Saint-Maur, as he visited their town for a week of sightseeing and cultural visits, alongside his Mayoress and members of the Bognor Regis Twinning Association. On each visit between our towns, a token gift is exchanged, by the Mayor on behalf of the Town Council. Many of the gifts received by Bognor Regis, are displayed in the glass cabinet on the first floor of the Town Hall, as well as inside the Council Chamber whereby you can also find the signed charters, making official our twinning links.

In recognition of our bond, Saint-Maur boasts a beautiful green space, named "Square Bognor Regis" in our honour. In addition to this, the "Promenade des Anglais" runs along the River Marne. Back here in Bognor Regis, our "Place St. Maur des Fossés" serves as our tribute to our French twin town, with an interpretation board in-situ, detailing our history and the links that bind us. Bognor Regis is looking forward to welcoming visitors from France in 2025, to celebrate this important milestone.