BRRB Welcomes Nick Gibb MP
The Bognor Regis Regeneration Board was very pleased to welcome Nick Gibb MP to its November meeting, which updated members on the Board’s recent activities. Giving a report against the Board’s objectives, Rebecca White, the Board’s Advisor, confirmed the Board’s incorporation in July 2021 as a non-profit limited company and emphasised its role as an independent facilitator. The BRRB objective to focus on improvements and regeneration within Bognor Regis town centre, set in 2019, was being delivered with the presentation highlighting the recent progress made through partnership initiatives, including use of the town values to promote a positive narrative and Arun District Council’s successful bid to the Levelling Up Fund, securing £19.4 million for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton.
Raof Daud, Chair, stated, “We were delighted to be able to update Nick and our members on the Board’s 2021 activity, the strength and impact of our unique public/private partnership in delivering positive change and to thank him personally for his support of Arun District Council’s application to the Levelling Up Fund which will secure significant improvements at the Regis Centre, a key town centre site. Nick has always been an active friend to Bognor Regis and we look forward to his continuing support and involvement in making further progress.”
The meeting was well attended by BRRB members, including representatives from the Bognor Regis BID, Bognor Regis Town Council, Butlins, Covers, the University of Chichester, Landlink Estates as well as West Sussex County Council and Arun District Council. Rebecca White noted, “As attendance at this meeting demonstrates, the strength of the Board lies in its diverse membership and consequently, our ability to bring together different stakeholders and partners to both examine the opportunities and challenges for Bognor Regis at strategic and practical levels and to promote solution-driven thinking informed by our consistent criteria of key regeneration principles and the Bognor Regis values.” The meeting took place at The_Track, the co-working & meeting space within Bognor Regis Railway Station, which was funded by West Sussex County Council and operated by Town Square. Following the meeting, the MP was given a tour of the building by Cllr Steve Waight, WSCC Cabinet Member for Economic Development & Support Services, accompanied WSCC and Town Square staff, in recognition of his support in progressing the project.