Bognor Regis event organisers fined for flyposting

Those involved have become victims of an Arun District Council clampdown on fly-posting. They have been forced to pay fixed penalty notices at 80 an offence. This is reduced to 50 if paid within 14 days.

The policy brought in this year will continue but it outraged town councillors at their meeting on Monday.

Cllr Paul Wells said those who were being hit in the pocket were only trying to do their best for the town.

"In the past, people have been able to advertise their events for two or three weeks and take down the banners a couple of days afterwards.

"I know the district and county council want to tidy up the town but a little bit of common sense has got to come into play," he said.

"We are talking about events in Bognor that are trying to be promoted to bring people into the town, boost its economy and bring a sense of economic cohesion into the town centre.

"There have been one or two instances in the past week I have had to take up with the district council.

"I've asked the leader of Arun, Gillian Brown, to see if a review of this situation can take place.

"It's not right people trying to do their best for the town are being fined."

Cllr Simon McDougall said: "With the general economic situation we find ourselves in, and funding from local authorities a little less forthcoming, this has put the organisers in a position when the opportunity for free advertising is important for events which do a lot of good.

A spokesman for Arun District Council said: "There has been a clampdown on fly-posting and the council has taken enforcement against event organisers this year who have all paid the fines issued."