The Bognor Regis Integrity SHARE Foundation Trust (BISHARE)

Bognor Regis Integrity Generation Heritage Town 

(BRIGHT)

The Bognor Integriity Trust (BIT)

A Proposal by Bognorians for Bognorians for a Brighter Future

Part of the Creative Bognor Initiative 

🌊 Bognorians: It’s time to take our town back. 🌊

For too long, major decisions about the future of our town have been made by distant authorities and outside interests. It’s time for a shift in power.

Introducing The Bognor Regis Integrity SHARE Foundation Trust (BISHARE BRIGHT)—a proposed community-owned, community-led initiative by Bognorians, for Bognorians, as part of the Creative Bognor Initiative.

We are building a legally recognised vehicle to give our community a direct voice in our town's strategic future, protect our heritage, and ensure local wealth stays local.

Our SHARE pillars:

🏛️ Strategic Voice in town planning

🌳 Heritage & Assets protected for public benefit

⚖️ Accountability for local government & developers

💰 Reinvestment of profits back into Bognor Regis

💼 Employment & Economy support for local businesses

The Reality? The current UK economic climate is tough, but the political tide is shifting aggressively toward localism and community wealth building. By securing "quick wins"—like revitalising underutilised local spaces—we can prove that community ownership works.

But we can't do it without you. Every resident will have the chance to be an equal member with an equal vote.

Next Steps: Local consultations and steering group formations are kicking off soon.

Let's build a brighter, more self-reliant Bognor Regis. 👇

Join Us This is our town, our future, and our chance to take the reins. Together, as Bognorians, we can build a brighter, more self-reliant Bognor Regis.

#BognorRegis #BISHARE #CreativeBognor #CommunityWealthBuilding #Localism #CommunityAssetTransfer #BrightFuture

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The Bognor Regis Integrity SHARE Foundation Trust (BISHARE)

Bognor Regis Integrity Generation Heritage Team 

(BRIGHT).

A Proposal by Bognorians for Bognorians for a Brighter Future

Part of the Creative Bognor Initiative 

1. Executive Summary

For too long, key decisions about the future of Bognor Regis have been made by distant authorities or outside interests, leaving local residents feeling disconnected from the development of their own town.

The Bognor Regis SHARE Foundation Trust is a proposal to establish a community-owned, community-led Trust. 

Our mission is to shift the balance of power, ensuring that Bognorians have a direct, legally recognised say in the strategic decisions, assets, and economic future of our town.

2. The Core Challenge

Bognor Regis possesses immense potential—from our stunning coastline and rich heritage to a passionate, creative community. However, a lack of local accountability has led to:

• Disempowerment: Residents feel consulted as an afterthought rather than included as partners.

• Underutilised Assets: Public spaces and community assets are often mismanaged or sold off without local consent.

• Short-Term Planning: A lack of a cohesive, long-term strategic vision that truly reflects the needs of the people living and working here.

3. The Vision: What is the SHARE Foundation Trust?

The Trust will operate as a Community Benefit Society (CBS), ensuring it is legally owned by the community, for the community. The acronym SHARE defines our core pillars:

Strategic Voice

Acting as a statutory consultee and proactive planning body for major town developments.

Heritage & Assets

Acquiring, managing, and protecting local land, buildings, and green spaces for public benefit.

Accountability

Holding local government and private developers to account on promises made to the town.

Reinvestment

Ensuring profits generated from community assets are plowed directly back into Bognor Regis.

Employment & Economy

Supporting local businesses, creating sustainable jobs, and fostering community wealth building.

4. How It Will Work

The Trust will be built on a model of radical transparency and democratic ownership:

• Community Ownership: Every resident of Bognor Regis will be eligible to become a member for a nominal fee (e.g., £1), giving them an equal vote and a share in the Trust.

• An Elected Board: The Trust will be governed by a board of trustees, the majority of whom must be residents elected by the membership.

• Asset Acquisition: We will utilise "Community Right to Bid" and "Community Asset Transfer" legislation to take control of derelict or underused land and buildings, turning them into vibrant community hubs, affordable housing, or cultural spaces.

Our Promise: The SHARE Foundation Trust will not be a talking shop. It will be a legal vehicle with the teeth to negotiate, buy, build, and protect on behalf of Bognor Regis.

5. Next Steps

To turn this proposal into a reality, we are launching a phased roadmap:

1. Public Consultation: Hosting local meetings to gather feedback and refine the Trust’s priorities.

2. Steering Group Formation: Bringing together local residents, business owners, and legal experts to draft the Trust's constitution.

3. Formal Registration: Registering the Trust with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as a Community Benefit Society.

Join Us

This is our town, our future, and our chance to take the reins. 

Together, as Bognorians, we can build a brighter, more self-reliant Bognor Regis.

Chances of success

In the current political and economic climate, a proposal like the Bognor Regis SHARE Foundation Trust enters a landscape that is simultaneously highly challenging and uniquely supportive.

While the economic headwinds make fundraising tough, the political tides are shifting aggressively in favour of localism and community ownership.

Here is a realistic assessment of its chances of success, broken down by the tailwinds helping it and the headwinds it will face.

1. The Political Tailwinds: Why it could succeed

The political culture is currently riper for this model than it has been in decades.

• The Rise of "Community Wealth Building": There is a powerful, mainstream shift across the UK toward the "Preston Model" of economics—keeping wealth within local borders rather than letting it bleed out to multinational developers.

• Government Focus on Mutuals & Co-ops: The current UK government has explicitly stated aims to double the size of the mutual and co-operative sector, noting that these community-backed models have a significantly lower failure rate than traditional start-ups.

• "Pride in Place" Frameworks: Across the UK, funding frameworks are increasingly tying regional regeneration grants to community consultation and "Pride in Place" initiatives. A legally constituted Trust in Bognor Regis would be perfectly positioned to capture these pots of money.

• Devolution and Local Powers: Local authorities are under severe financial strain, which is actually an opportunity. Councils are increasingly willing to engage in Community Asset Transfers—handing over under-funded public buildings and spaces to local trusts who can unlock community grants that councils cannot access.

2. The Economic Headwinds: The Real Hurdles

While the political will is there, the economic reality creates steep barriers to entry.

• The Funding Squeeze: Traditional local government grants are incredibly scarce. The Trust would have to rely heavily on national pots (like Dormant Assets funding or National Lottery Heritage funds) or innovative local financing.

• The Capital Access Problem: As a Community Benefit Society, the Trust cannot easily attract traditional venture capital or corporate investors because it prioritises social good over profit margins. It will have to rely on Community Share Offers—asking local Bognorians to invest their own money, which can be a tough ask during prolonged cost-of-living pressures.

• Volunteer Fatigue: The UK civil society sector is currently battling high rates of volunteer burnout. A trust like SHARE requires immense professional expertise (legal, planning, financial) given freely by residents in their spare time.

The Verdict: Realistic Chances of Success

Phase 1: Establishment

High (80%)

Getting registered and setting up the board is relatively low-cost and highly supported by national bodies like Plunkett UK or Co-operatives UK.

Phase 2: Influence

Medium-High (65%)

Becoming a powerful "voice" in town planning is highly achievable, as local authorities are legally required to look for community consensus.

Phase 3: Asset Acquisition

Medium (45%)

Buying major buildings or land will entirely depend on the Trust’s ability to win competitive national grants or launch a highly successful local share offer.

How to Tip the Scales

To maximise its chances, the SHARE Foundation Trust should not try to do everything at once.

Success will come from "quick wins." Instead of trying to redevelop a major seafront site on day one, the Trust should focus on taking over one small, beloved, underutilised asset (like a local pavilion, a historic building, or a community garden) and making it profitable. 

Once Bognorians see tangible proof that community ownership works, the financial and political momentum will follow.

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