'Disgrace' of regeneration board member election vote

An election for a new member of a board which guides the regeneration of Bognor Regis has been condemned as a disgrace.

The show of hands saw the county councillors for Nyetimber and Middleton chosen for the Bognor Regis Regeneration Board chosen.

Conservatives Mike Coleman and Christina Freeman were elected with three votes each ahead of the two votes for Bognor Regis East county councillor, Liberal Democrat Francis Oppler, in a political contest.

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This means none of the four county or district council members of the board represent central Bognor where the regeneration is based.

It is the first time this situation has arisen since the board was set up by Arun District Council in 2007.

Cllr Paul Wells, who voted for Cllr Oppler, said: "It is disgraceful there is no Bognor-based county councillor on the regeneration board.

"Clearly, the electorate of the town spoke four weeks ago yet they are being denied the opportunity to have a Bognor county councillor serve on the board.

"That is a disservice to the public of Bognor."

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The voting took place among the five county council member of the Joint Western Arun area committee's latest meeting.

It was necessary after the county council elections in early June. These saw previous board member Robin Brown, the Tory councillor for Bognor Regis West and Aldwick, lose his seat.

The regeneration board brings together representatives from the private, public and voluntary sectors which all play a role in the renaissance of Bognor.

The group has no executive powers but has considerable influence regarding plans for the regeneration programme, as well as making its views known to the various regional and national government bodies.

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Its district council members are Gillian Brown (Aldwick East) and Norman Dingemans (Walberton). Bognor Regis Town Council also has two councillors on the board.

Other board members include Bognor Regis Chamber of Commerce, Bourne Leisure, David Covers and Sons, St Modwen and the University of Chichester.

The board meets in private about three times a year.

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