Welcome to the Bognor Regis Town Council E-Bulletin
March 2023 Issue 32
BUILDINGS BY THE SEA
Buildings by the Sea
From the Georgian houses at Bognor Regis and the Victorian piers, hotels and convalescent homes along the coast, to the Edwardian Bungalow Town at Shoreham, the 1930s bandstand at Worthing and the huge 1960s resort of Butlin’s at Bognor, Dr Kathryn Ferry will talk about the buildings, large and small, that shape our seaside.
The talk will be held at West Sussex Record Office at 7.00pm on Tuesday 25 April (£8). Numbers are limited, so booking is essential. Alternatively, you can join online via Zoom (£5).
The significant rise in the cost of living is adding further pressure to household finances and it's a top priority for us to make sure our residents are aware of the local support available. Here are some of the many local organisations that offer free help and advice.
Household Support Fund
This is available through the Community Hub at West Sussex County Council (WSCC). It provides small grants to help households meet essential costs, including paying energy bills.
Visit here to see if you’re eligible. If your request is urgent, for example you’re going to run out of food within the next two days, please phone 033 022 27980.
Help to Heat
The government is investing £12 billion in Help to Heat schemes to make sure homes are warmer and cheaper to heat.
To find out more information visit here.
Energy Bills Support Scheme
You can get a £400 discount to help with your energy bills over winter 2022 to 2023.
Visit here for further information.
Warmer Homes Grant
You may also be eligible for Warmer Homes Grant. Visit here for more information or call 0800 038 5737.
Age UK
Age UK give advice on saving energy, keeping warm and help heating costs. Contact Age UK on 0800 019 1310 or email info@ageukwsbh.org.uk.
Citizens Advice Energy Team
If you need energy advice or assistance with paying your bills, call 01243 974063. This service is available to all Arun residents. Email energy@arunchichestercab.org.uk or visit here for further information. For general debt advice and support, call 0800 240 4420.
Arun District Council
For help with Benefits call 01903 737753 or visit here.
For help with Council Tax call 01903 737752.
If you are a Arun tenant and need help with paying rent, call 01903 73785.
Food Banks
Bognor Regis Food bank
Address: Argyle Hall, Argyle Road, Bognor Regis, PO21 1DY
Website: www.bognorregis.foodbank.org.uk
Jeneses Food Bank
Address: Jeneses Community Centre & Foodbank, 45 Linden Rd, Bognor Regis, PO21 2AP
UK Harvest: Community Food Hub
Bring a shopping bag and fill it from a selection of mixed groceries and rescued produce for a suggested donation of £3.50, helping you to save your money for other essentials.
Encouraged for anyone who is on a tight budget, for any reason, to come along and get the support you need.
Every first Wednesday of the month, 10-11am at Bognor Regis Youth and Community Centre, Westloats Lane, Bognor Regis, PO21 HJZ. Visit here for further information or call 01243 696940
Lidl: Too Good To Waste
From potatoes to tomatoes, these boxes are filled with fruit and vegetables which are still good to use, but would have otherwise been thrown away.
For just £1.50 for a 5kg box, you can find these boxes by the checkout area, subject to availability.
Arrangements have been agreed for the Annual Town Meeting of Electors taking place at Bognor Regis Town Hall on Monday 13th March. With 2023 being ‘National Year of the Pier’, a historian has been invited to give a talk in relation to this. There will also be a chance for those in attendance to learn more about the Town Council’s exciting programme of events for this year. Ultimately, the Annual Town Meeting of Electors is your meeting, and we look forward to hearing your views on the evening. Doors will open at 6.30pm, with light refreshments on offer, and the meeting will commence at 7pm.
LIFESAVING EQUIPMENT INSTALLED AT BOGNOR REGIS
A new piece of lifesaving equipment has been installed near the entrance of the Bognor Amateur Boxing Club.
Pictured from left to right is David Larner, the chairman and coach at Bognor ABC, Cllr Wayne Smith, Plumbase manager Nigel Humphrey. By Nikki Jeffery, Sussex Express.
The boxing club, with help from Plumbase and Bognor Regis Town Council, has had a top specification defibrillator located in North Bersted between the Plumbase trade entrance and the entrance of the Bognor Amateur Boxing Club, Fairlands.
“Not of course a piece of equipment anyone would wish for a need to use,” said a boxing club spokesman. “However if needed these amazing machines massively increase survival rates from cardiac arrest.”
£2 BUS FARE CAP HAS BEEN EXTENDED
The £2 bus fare cap has been extended for a further 3 months till the end of June.
A single bus journey will cost no more than £2 on most routes under the Department for Transports Help for Households funded Bus Fare Cap.
"Each month we see many incidents of fraudsters targeting our residents to defraud them. We’re working hard to prevent this and support vulnerable victims of fraud or scams. By following our tips and encouraging family, friends and colleagues to do so too, you can reduce the risk of becoming a victim."
T/Detective Chief Inspector Simon Doyle, Surrey Police & Sussex Police Economic Crime Unit
Romance fraud
Sussex and Surrey police received 498 reports of romance fraud in 2022.
Unfortunately, 311 victims suffered a loss to Romance fraud. The total loss recorded to these victims was £7.46 Million with the average loss being £14.98K (*where a loss was recorded).
48% of victims were Female, 52% of victims were Male.
D Don’t rush into an online relationship – get to know the person, not the profile, ensuring you ask plenty of questions. The vast majority of romance fraud is initiated online.
A Analyse their profile – protect yourself by confirming their identity. Check the person is genuine by putting the following into your search engine; their name, profile pictures and any repeatedly used phrases, along with the term ‘dating scam’. Be mindful that a fraudster could be hiding behind an alias and have changed details connecting them to previous fraudulent activity.
T Talk to your friends and family – be wary of anyone who tells you not to tell others about them. Romance fraud involves grooming over a long period of time.
E Evade scams – never send money or share your bank details with someone you’ve only met online. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been speaking to them or what story they give behind needing the sum.
S Stay on the dating site messenger service – fraudsters will often encourage their victims to use different communication channels that are often undetectable.
Scamalytics
You can report suspicions of Romance fraud anonymously to Scamalytics.
Using an online form (linked below) you can enter images, names and details of potential Romance fraudsters. This not only keeps yourself and your loved ones safe from Romance fraud but could prevent others from falling victim too.
Scamalytics form: here
Online Selling Scam
Sussex and Surrey Police have seen a number of reports of Online Shopping fraud affecting those selling items on social media platforms. The interested buyer will attend to collect the item in person and claim to have bank transferred the payment to the seller by showing them a fake banking app confirmation on their phone.
However, when the seller checks their account, they find that the money has not been received. In some cases, the buyer may make excuses such as their bank taking a couple of hours to process the payment.
Get Safe Online provide advice on how to sell safely:
· Always check buyers’ reviews and seller feedback. Accounts that have been set up very recently with a large volume of similar positive feedback could indicate fake reviews.
· Always use the marketplace’s recommended method of payment (such as PayPal) and read the terms and conditions to check what you are protected against. Paying in any other way than via a recommended payment site – such as an app on the buyer’s phone or via bank transfer – could result in losses which you or your bank cannot recover. If you do pay via bank transfer, always check with your own bank if any payment is shown as pending.
· Don’t allow the buyer to change the original agreed meeting place.
· Don’t be rushed into handing over goods before you are sure that payment has been received.
· Consider making cash payments at yours or the buyer’s bank premises for added protection.
Sextortion Webinars
Sextortion is a form of blackmail where a perpetrator threatens to reveal intimate images of the victim online unless they give in to their demands. These demands are typically for money or further images.
West Sussex County Council are running Sextortion Webinars. If you wish to learn more about Sextortion and how to safeguard yourself and others from the crime, contact CommunitySafety.Wellbeing@westsussex.gov.uk to reserve a place in the upcoming seminars.
Courier & Impersonation Fraud Webinar - Wednesday 15 March 2023, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Courier Fraud is presently the most common fraud in West Sussex. This free 1 hour webinar, organised by West Sussex County Council, will give you an overview about this awful crime.
Fraudsters contact victims by telephone, claiming to be a police officer or bank official, duping individuals into handing over money or valuables to criminals posing as couriers.
The fraudsters use a variety of different tactics. During the phone call they will convince the victim into handing over their cards, valuables or money to a courier who is sent directly to their home.
If you would like to know more about this crime, WSCC are running a FREE 1 hour webinar on: 15th March 10am-11am. Please book here.
Suspect you or someone you know has been victim to a scam?
However, where the victim is vulnerable or elderly, please contact Sussex or Surrey Police directly on 101.
If it’s an emergency, always call 999.
BOGNOR REGIS BID
Successful ballot secures a second 5 year term for Bognor Regis BID. We are excited to continue working with Bognor Regis BID in making Bognor Regis town a attractive and welcoming place for its residents and visitors.
PREMIER INN PUBLIC EXHIBITION
Community consultation events are now being launched around plans to bring a new Premier Inn hotel to Bognor Regis at the site of the old Fire Station on Clarence Road.
Whitbread Group PLC (Premier Inn's parent company) believe this is an ideal location for a new hotel in the heart of Bognor Regis from where visitors will be able to enjoy everything the seaside town has to offer. They are currently in the process of designing the hotel, which will need to meet their operational requirements, suit its surroundings and be fitting for Bognor Regis, as well as aligning with Whitbread’s objective of becoming a net zero business by 2040. To ensure that neighbours, businesses and others are informed and involved throughout the planning process, they will be holding two public exhibitions, one in-person and one online. They will be presenting their plans in detail at these and inviting feedback from the local community.
In-person exhibition: The Parish Centre, Hislop Walk, Bognor Regis, P021 1LP
Wednesday 8th March, between 2pm and 7.30pm
Online webinar: Registration via the project website, www.premierinn-bognor.co.uk
Thursday 9th March, from 7pm
For further information:
Website: www.premierinn-bognor.co.uk
Telephone: 0800 689 5209
Email: info@premierinn-bognor.co.uk
ADULT MATHS AND NUMERACY SKILLS BOOST FOR SUSSEX
Adults across West Sussex who want to improve their numeracy skills can sign up for free courses and activities with West Sussex County Council.
It’s thanks to a £3.6 million investment aimed at boosting opportunities for more people to enhance their skills and secure well-paid jobs.
The free courses and activities take place online and in person and are available to residents on either a part time or more intensive basis.
Around 17 million adults in England, which is half of the working-age population, have the numeracy skills of primary school children. Poor numeracy skills can hold people back from having the confidence to get on in life and into work.
West Sussex County Council has been awarded the funding from the government’s £2.6 billion UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which is provided to offer courses that meet the needs of local communities as part of the government’s Multiply programme.
Multiply is available to adults, aged 19+ who do not already have a GCSE grade C/4 or higher in Maths or equivalent and want to improve their numeracy skills.
Nigel Jupp, Cabinet Member for Education and Learning said: “I am very pleased that West Sussex County Council is part of the government’s Multiply programme, and the learning opportunities this will provide to our communities.
“Good maths skills are important for everyday life, both at work and at home. They can help you to budget, help you support your children with their homework and help you progress your career.
“I would encourage anyone who meets the eligibility criteria to get in touch and find out more.”
For further information please visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/multiplyprogramme
KEEP BRITAIN TIDY “SPRING CLEAN EVENT”
Back for its eighth year, the Great British Spring Clean is the nation’s biggest mass-action environmental campaign.
The Great British Spring Clean and Great Big School Clean will take place from 17 March to 2 April.
MEETING DATES
Bognor Regis Town Council March Meetings
Monday 6 March at 6.30pm: Full Council Meeting
Monday 13 March at 6.30pm: Annual Town Meeting of Electors
Tuesday 14 March at 4pm: Planning and Licensing Committee
Monday 20 March at 6.30pm: Events, Promotion and Leisure Committee
Monday 27 March at 6.30pm: Policy and Resources Committee
The Agendas for meetings will be available to view on the Town Council Website approximately one week before the meeting.
