Overhaul of concessions in Bognor

There will now be a dramatic overhaul of how Arun District Council awards concessions around Bognor Regis.

On Monday evening, the council's cabinet committee agreed to put in place a series of recommendations devised by Arun's audit committee, which were discussed behind closed doors at a meeting in August.

The decision was made following a detailed investigation into how Arun District Council processes and handles the deals with operators after concerns were made about the way the contract for the Bognor Regis seafront land train was handled.

Bognor Regis Civic Society deputy chairman Hugh Coster, who has been calling for action, welcomed the changes.

He said: "I am very pleased the recommendations suggested by the audit committee are being implemented, but questions still remain.

"Mistakes with the seafront train were made '“ the council has admitted that '“ so people need to know what is being done next."

Mr Coster added: "What we'd like to see is total transparency, impartiality and fairness in the council's dealing with concessionaries and potential concessionaries."

The change in policy will affect how concessions are chosen for popular locations along the seafront, especially for refreshment kiosks, and also in Hotham Park.

The decision follows strong criticism the council received in May after it was revealed Arun had awarded the concession for the popular seafront land train to an operator which did not even have a train.

The move was reversed a month later after it was admitted a mistake had been made with the original decision.

A report prepared by Sue Fair-Browning and presented to the cabinet at its meeting said: "Where new concessions are to be awarded for the first time, investigations into the legal and other ramifications must be carried out before concessions are even advertised.

This will avoid any future incidents of embarrassment to the council."

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