In this news update

New Chair of Arun District Council

Arun District Council is pleased to announce the election of Councillor Jill Long as the new Chair of the Council for the 2026/27 municipal year.

Jill Long, who represents Brookfield ward, succeeds Councillor Freddie Tandy, who has served as Chair of the Council with distinction over the past year.

Cllr Long was elected to Arun District Council in 2023 and for the past year has served as Vice-Chair of the Council as well as being a member of both the Housing and Wellbeing and Planning Policy Committees and is an elected member of Littlehampton Town Council and was previously Town Mayor of Littlehampton.

For more information visit

Councillor James Walsh – 50 Years of Service Award

Arun District Council celebrated Councillor Dr James Walsh for his extraordinary 50 years of dedicated public service at the Annual Council meeting held on 20 May, where Dr Walsh was presented with a commemorative medal.

Cllr Dr Walsh, an experienced local politician, has served as a councillor in Arun since 1975. He has served as Leader of Arun District Council (2019-2021), twice as Chair of the Council (most recently 2024-2025), two-time Mayor of Littlehampton, and was a long-standing member of West Sussex County Council since 1985.

Read more about Cllr Walsh’s award here

Two Arun beaches recognised for great facilities in annual Seaside Awards

Arun District Council is pleased to announce that Littlehampton’s Coastguards Beach and Bognor Regis’ East Beach have retained their Seaside Awards for 2026.

Presented by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, the awards recognise high standards of beach cleanliness, safety and environmental management at the two Arun beaches.

Unlike the Blue Flag Award, the Seaside Award is not based on bathing water quality, which is the responsibility of Southern Water. Instead, it is a trusted mark of quality that reassures visitors they are heading to a well-managed beach with good facilities.

Find out more here

Here comes the sun!

With the weather warming up we are delighted to see so many people enjoying our district – especially our beaches, seafronts, and open spaces.

As you enjoy everything our coastline has to offer, we’d like to remind residents and visitors that BBQs are not allowed on Arun’s beaches due to the risk of fires. If you’re planning a seaside get-together, please use the designated BBQ areas close to our beaches instead.

We’ve increased the number of bins and collections along our seafronts, and our crews are working hard to keep them clear. If a bin is full, please take your rubbish home with you to help keep our coastline clean and safe for everyone.

Government launches second consultation on local government reorganisation in Sussex

Government has launched an additional phase of consultation on the options for local government reorganisation in Sussex. Local councils in West Sussex are helping ensure residents, business, community groups and partners are aware of the opportunity to have their say.

This second, technical consultation seeks feedback on two potential modifications to the proposals previously submitted by Sussex local authorities.

For more information and a link to the consultation – which ends on 15 June 2026 – click here

Premier Inn opens – an exciting boost for Bognor Regis

The new Premier Inn in Bognor Regis town centre was officially opened by Whitbread PLC on Friday, 15 May 2026. The hotel is a valuable addition to the town, supporting local jobs and helping to attract more visitors to the town centre and seafront.

More than 50 local stakeholders, the MP for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, elected representatives and members of the community attended the launch event.

More information can be found here

A new name for a new chapter: Alexandra Arts Centre announced

Bognor Regis is set to welcome a bold new era for its cultural life, as the Alexandra Theatre is officially renamed Alexandra Arts Centre, signalling a major shift in ambition, purpose and possibility.

The new name reflects a transformation that goes far beyond the building itself. In partnership with Arun District Council, the venue is being reimagined as a vibrant, inclusive space for creativity in all its forms, expanding its offer to serve the whole community, all day and into the evening.

To read the press release by Arun Arts, follow this link

Safer Arun Partnership awards £15,000 to local groups to boost community safety

The Safer Arun Partnership has awarded a total of £15,000 in community safety grants to seven local organisations delivering projects to improve feelings of safety, deter antisocial behaviour, reduce crime, and help protect vulnerable people from harm across the Arun district.

Find out more

News updates

New Public Spaces Protection Order for Littlehampton and Bognor Regis -

Did you know about our Armed Forces and veteran hubs? –

Why does Arun need habitat banking? –

Food donation banks in our offices –