30 June 2025.
"The next big thing, will be a lot of small things”. Thomas Lommée.

Welcome to our latest blog, written by Paul Brewer, Interim Chief Executive, Adur & Worthing Councils.

One year on from the public launch at the Corn Exchange in Brighton, I think the most rewarding and exciting thing is seeing how many people are responding to the hopeful vision of Sussex Bay.  People feel able to be a part of it, and respond to it in their own ways, and that is just amazing.

It’s brilliant to see how well known, and well loved Sussex Bay already is - both as a rapidly emerging place identity to help celebrate and focus on “blue Sussex”, and a meaningful programme of work based on collaboration with the amazing organisations, groups and projects working across the Bay.

What’s in a name?

When I picked up the phrase “Sussex Bay” in a meeting four years ago it hit home, capturing the place I live in and love - all the different spots along the coast and rivers that I’ve enjoyed over the years with my family and friends.  It also instantly helped make sense of - and give a name to - the regional collaboration needed to help us get coordinated, and ready for action.  I think this is why it works so well for people.

So much has been achieved this last year, with a full compliment of brilliant staff and funding certainty for the next 3 years.  We’ve built crucial connections and relationships, as well as enabled the delivery of great projects, including an amazing storage and welfare facility for the Worthing Fishermen’s Society, growing the fishing net recycling scheme, among others.

We’ve also seen really strong interest and engagement from local businesses, and entrepreneurs and we want to deepen that connection and unlock opportunities for local companies to fulfil their sustainability ambitions, unlocking new opportunities for their staff to get involved via the ecosystem of organisations and projects that make up Sussex Bay.

Small is beautiful.

When looking forward to how this vision grows, we think Sussex Bay will only ever be a small enabling core that nurtures our amazing ecosystem of local organisations and groups.  This I think is its superpower - supporting, connecting and growing what’s there, and helping new voices and capacity in.

Working nationally and locally.

To help create better conditions, we are working with the national government and key public bodies, aiming to provide a regional test bed for better planning, regulation and protection, building collaborations with other leading regions across the UK.  We will work to unlock funding from different sources and flow it into local projects, delivered by the amazing array of local organisations and community groups.  Through the seascape “blueprint” we will identify opportunities for nature recovery projects and help enable delivery.

Locally, we’re still at the forming stage, and over the next year we aim to establish formal strategic partnerships with key organisations, while remaining fleet of foot and responsive to new ideas, opportunities and contributors.  We also aim to deepen our connections to “sister” programmes like Weald to Waves, championing long term thinking and new visions that are open to all to get involved.

Broadening the local vision.

I’m excited by the huge opportunities around  “good economic growth”, tech innovation, health and well-being, inclusion, coastal regeneration, and sustainable tourism.  As a nature first vision, there are broader themes to grow into as things develop, reflecting the mix of things in our part of the world.

I hope everyone reading this is inspired, and stays connected to the work as it develops.  There will be further opportunities as Sussex devolution unfolds, and I believe Sussex Bay will play a big part in making sure nature is at the table.