Shedding some lighton seafront grants

In a recent Observer article, Cllr Miss Michelle White is reported as saying the grant Bognor Regis Seafront Lights receives from the town council is the largest given by the council to any one organisation.

While technically correct, I would like to clarify several points.

This sum is made up of three separate grants:

n 9,000 for the lights (which has remained at this level since 2000/01, despite increased energy costs and more displays than ever);

n 2,000 for the Here Comes Summer event; and

n 2,500 for the Illuminations Gala.

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These two events are organised to help raise funds for the lights (in addition to benefit the town), so yes, the overall level of support from the town council for the lights is 13,500.

However, we hope others will consider, as we do, this represents very good value for council taxpayers, given we do not make any demands on valuable council officer or the excellent Town Force's time, upon which many events are now dependant.

Hopefully, the July Carnival can be revived, as has been reported in the Observer. But we note that last year the town council's hard- working events officer was quoted (Observer, July 20) in relation to the carnival, as saying ''¦. the council looked into the possibility of having a parade but there is a lot of work involved with road closures and disruption.'

We do all this in respect of the Illuminations Gala, for free in our own time, along with all the work administering the seafront lights.

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In addition, we are not VAT-registered, so cannot claim back VAT on our activities, unlike the town council on its many worthy activities.

This 13,500 should also be seen in the context of the additional 20,000 raised via events, sponsorship, donations, grants and other fundraising initiatives that, when added together, manifest themselves in the lights which shine for six months and are enjoyed by many tens of thousands of residents and visitors each season.

Government is increasingly looking to the voluntary sector to deliver public services, recognising volunteers give added value, often delivering services at less cost, more effectively.

We believe Bognor Regis Seafront Lights, along with many other voluntary groups in the town, are already doing this admirably.

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In the Observer on February 15, Cllr White says she wants Bognor to be a family-friendly seaside resort.

One would hope that lights along our shoreline are an integral element of this aspiration, not to mention two events that see the seafront being used as would be expected in a family resort.

Meanwhile, our next fundraising activity is a jumble sale this Saturday morning, at the URC in Linden Road, and we are looking forward to the lights being turned back on at the annual Here Comes Summer event, on Saturday, March 31. See you there!

Jason Passingham, Chairman, Bognor Regis Seafront Lights,

c/o Tourist Information Centre,

Belmont Street, Bognor Regis

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