Frequently Asked Questions
- Who are the Hastings & Bexhill Task Force and Sea Space?
- How are Sea Space and the Task Force accountable?
- Where does the economic development funding come from?
- When will economic development be finished?
- How will you know if your programme has succeeded?
- Why isn't Sea Space tackling other important issues such as safety, street lighting, rubbish and pavements?
- Why aren't the councils running the economic development programme?
- Why is more being done in Hastings than Bexhill?
- I don't own a local business and don't live in the town centre or Ore Valley. How will I benefit from economic development?
- What are the criteria for a Sea Space project?
Who are the Hastings & Bexhill Task Force and Sea Space?
The Task Force is a partnership of public sector organisations which came together in September 2001 to improve the area's economy. Its members are the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), Hastings Borough Council, Rother District Council, East Sussex County Council, English Partnerships, the Government Office for the South East, the MP for Hastings & Rye and the MP for Bexhill & Battle. Sea Space is the development company the Task Force set up in 2003 to put its economic development programme into action.
How are Sea Space and the Task Force accountable?
While Sea Space works independently in implementing its projects on a day-to-day basis, it is accountable to the Hastings & Bexhill Task Force, which monitors the progress of the investment programme. The Task Force is accountable via its elected council and parliamentary members and also answers to central government, from where it currently gets most of its funding.
Where does the economic development funding come from?
Overall, investment is anticipated to be around £400 million over ten years, with the majority of this coming from the private sector. In the initial phase, however, significant investment has been made by the government to start the programme. This public money comprises:
- £38 million from the South East England Development Agency, later supplemented by a further £19M
- £15 million from English Partnerships for Hastings Millennium Community
- £3.5 million from the Higher Education Funding Council for England for the University Centre Hastings
- £10 million from other public sources, mainly the EU.
When will economic development be finished?
The Task Force programme is a ten-year scheme, set to finish in 2012. This was chosen as a period over which significant impact could be made. In many senses, however, the job will never really be 'finished': there are likely always to be ways in which Hastings and Bexhill, like any other towns, can improve their fortunes.
How will you know if your programme has succeeded?
We will succeed when we achieve the long term reinvigoration of the local economy to the benefit of the community. Specifically, we aim to remove the local wards from the government's '20% most deprived' category by 2012.
Why isn't Sea Space tackling other important issues such as safety, street lighting, rubbish and pavements?
These areas fall under the responsibility of other organisations - particularly the local authorities (which are also Task Force partners). The Task Force, to get the most impact from limited funding, decided to focus on a small number of large projects which would act as catalysts for economic development, rather than areas that are already being managed.
Why aren't the councils running the economic development programme?
The local and county councils are heavily involved as prominent members of the Task Force. They are not tackling it alone because a partnership approach has more impact.
Why is more being done in Hastings than Bexhill?
We focused on Hastings first because the government's research showed it to need more help. That said, we support the Link Road to Bexhill and have helped to create a Seafront Strategy for both towns. Rother District Council is now producing wide-ranging proposals to revitalise Bexhill.
I don't own a local business and don't live in the town centre or Ore Valley. How will I benefit from economic development?
It will benefit everyone in the area. Better jobs will come from local businesses expanding and new businesses moving here. This will give people more disposable income to spend in the town, leading to more local companies setting up to offer greater choice. New and refurbished buildings make the town look and feel better and encourage private landlords to improve their buildings.
The University Centre offers diverse courses at many levels, to help local people improve their skills and their job prospects. The students also contribute to the town centre economy. Economic improvement also has benefits for all in terms of reducing crime and improving health. Transport improvements, meanwhile, will help local companies do business and make life easier for anyone who want to get about.
What are the criteria for a Sea Space project?
Sea Space projects are targeted to provide new jobs or education spaces. We are focusing on a small number of large projects which will act as catalysts for economic development.
