Further to the devastating news that Nat West is closing the last remaining bank branches in the East Worthing & Shoreham constituency, with the loss of the Shoreham and Broadwater branches, last week I held meetings with Nat West regional managers and the Link Group which advises on banking hubs.
I had originally asked Link to look at installing a shared banking hub in Lancing and Southwick following the Barclays closure in the Square. Instead, they have given the go ahead for a new facility in Shoreham which will most likely take over the existing Nat West building. It will be open on certain days of the week to customers of all the main banks. Because Lancing and Southwick are under 3.5 km away that is deemed accessible to residents there. Similarly, I am afraid people in East Worthing will be redirected to town centre branches.
However, the good news is that Nat West will not close in Shoreham until the banking hub is ready to take over. In addition, Link have promised to consider the Lancing and Southwick position again 6 months into the operation of the new hub.
The recent appalling anti-social behaviour around Southwick Square is worrying and seems to be a repeat of the problems we have experienced in Lancing recently. I am concerned that the police were slow to respond on the first night of the trouble around the Co-op but they have now issued a dispersal order and upped patrols in the Square. In addition, several arrests have been made and a street briefing was held on Monday and residents are invited along again on Saturday 3.30-5pm outside the Co-op. If need be we will arrange a further public meeting as Cllr Kevin Boram recently did at Lancing Parish Hall.
I went on a fascinating tour of East Worthing sewage works recently and meeting with Southern Water’s new Chief Executive who I am pleased to report has agreed to a grilling by students at the next EYE Project Eco Summit over sewage. I don’t think the kids will be holding back!
