History of the South Coast Towns Network

The South Coast Towns Network Conferences have been running since 2004 and the first one of which, titled 'Putting every town on the new map of social and economic success', marked the beginning of this annual event.

Speakers for this first conference included Pam Alexander, the Chief Executive of SEEDA, with the conference focusing on the economic and demographic context for the south coast at that time. This included future trends, the benefits and problems towns experienced when working with the wider government, as well as how the south coast towns attempted to regenerate themselves using physical, social and economic interventions. 

The conference following this focused on the developments and issues regarding these developments, along the south coast. Speakers included Mike Gwilliam, Director of Planning and Transport for SEERA, and issues discussed regarded mainly to the sudden growth of the region and the impact this had on the area.

Further conferences have also discussed similar issues as well as the subject of transport, information on marine industries, and the relationship London has with the south coast.

The conference, gradually moving location along the coast from east to west, has been held in Folkestone, Hastings, and Bexhill, and the 5^th conference, taking place on 16^th July 2008 in Brighton, marks a further progression along the south coast.