Beacon Council - Culture and Sport for Hard to Reach Groups

Eastbourne Borough Council has been recognised at a national level by achieving Beacon status under the Government’s Beacon Authority Scheme. 

Eastbourne won the award in April 2006 under the Beacon round seven theme Culture and Sport for Hard to Reach Groups.

The Beacon Scheme identifies excellence and innovation in local government. 

The scheme exists to share good practice enabling best authorities to act as Beacons for other councils, and Eastbourne held an Open Day on Tuesday 10 October. 

In total 239 applications were received from 185 authorities for round seven of the Beacon Scheme.

Only eight authorities in the country were granted Beacon Status for Culture and Sport for Hard to reach groups.

Eastbourne was awarded Beacon Status on the strength of its visual arts outreach programme Towner on the Town as well as for its Disability Sport programmes. 

By working in partnership Towner on the Town has successfully demonstrated how cultural activity can make a real difference to the lives of young offenders.