Hastings Council and university sign collaboration memorandum

Cllr Jeremy Birch Hastings Borough Council’s leader explained: “By joining forces with the University of Brighton and signing the MoC we pledge to build on our existing strong relationships to offer those who live, work, visit and study in the town the best experiences.

“This collaboration aims to open up a wide range of initiatives for information and knowledge sharing such as identifying how both physical and human resources can be best used to promote joint working; identifying and supporting sectors that will create jobs and provide sustainable economic growth; to improve the student experience and establish Hastings as a university town that can support and benefit from student population growth and to evaluate and secure funding for projects and new initiatives.

Cllr Jeremy Birch and Professor Julian Crampton

There will be a number of joint areas of collaboration including low carbon economy, culture and community-led regeneration, fisheries and the Hastings Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) legacy, housing and urban development, the visitor economy, business engagement, support and inward investment. These joint areas will also include academies and improving educational achievement for young people and opportunities to improve the skills and employability of university students and graduates.

“We welcome this opportunity and look forward to working with the University of Brighton to benefit our town and all who live, work and study in it.”

Professor Julian Crampton, the University of Brighton’s Vice-Chancellor, said: “The university’s campus in Hastings is expanding and we and the Borough Council have enjoyed working together on projects of mutual interest for many years.

“We both enjoy similar aims and beliefs when it comes to involvement in the community and this  memorandum seals this excellent relationship.”