Taking issues to the heart of Government

While Adur District Council has fought to set a balanced budget for the next year, last minute changes to the way that the Government distributes New Homes Bonus will dramatically increase pressure on maintaining that balance.

Last week, Councillor Neil Parkin, Leader of Adur District Council, took the Council’s concerns to the heart of Government at a meeting with Marcus Jones, Under Secretary of State (Minister for Local Government).  

Cllr Parkin takes up the story:

“The new scheme will remove £214,000 from the Council’s revenue budget this year alone - and it appears that we now won’t receive any New Homes Bonus at all over the next three to five years.

“We have been successfully delivering housing growth in Adur, and have used the New Homes Bonus as one part of a financial strategy to keep our bin collections weekly, to keep investing in our communities and to keep Council Tax low.

“Constrained by the sea on one side and the Downs on the other, we simply don’t have enough available land to build homes of the required size which would make us eligible for the updated New Homes Bonus.

“We went to the Government with a simple request:  either to amend the updated New Homes Bonus system to make it fairer on Districts such as ours, or to implement a transitional arrangement allowing us to manage the loss of funding.

“We are now waiting for a response from the Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Gavin Barwell, and will be making our case in the consultation for the Fair Funding Review, which has a final consultation next summer.  We are proud of everything that we’ve achieved in Adur through sound financial planning and will continue to fight for what we believe should be ours for the benefit of our residents and taxpayers.”

The dramatic reduction in New Homes Bonus receipts follows changes to the scheme which favours the building of larger homes.  In the Adur District, most of the development space exists in brownfield or in-fill sites, or in opportunities to increase density - these are smaller properties in Bands A - C.

Additionally, the Council will not benefit from any empty homes being brought back into use, further compounding the issue.  

Adur & Worthing Council commits to sustainability programme and installs solar panels in key Council buildings

StreetVelodrome to return to Worthing

StreetVelodrome is to return to Beach House Grounds, Worthing, on 1st and 2nd July 2017, for a third year of wheel-to-wheel cycle racing action.

2015 and 2016’s sun-drenched weekends of cycle racing have set a high bar for the 2017 StreetVelodrome competition. Locally enjoyed and nationally televised, StreetVelodrome remains one of the most thrilling sporting weekends in Worthing’s calendar. Transforming Beach House Grounds in a matter of hours into a professional racing circuit, StreetVelodrome offers a perfect opportunity to clip on a helmet and test yourself against amateur and pro-riders alike.

“This is a fantastic family event,” comments Cllr Bryan Turner, Executive Member for Regeneration at Worthing Borough Council.

“It doesn’t matter how old you are or how much experience you’ve got, StreetVelodrome is an open competition designed to bring out the best in every rider.

“I’m proud that Worthing Borough Council is bringing StreetVelodrome back to the town for a third year, creating another great weekend for tourists and local residents alike.”

The format of 2017’s StreetVelodrome competition mirrors the successful set-up from the 2016 year. The South Coast Rollers, Worthing’s home team, will be taking to the track again, searching for the best new talent to accompany them to the London finals. All equipment and coaching will be provided, so all you need to do is turn up and ride!

In addition to the Borough Council’s investment, the StreetVelodrome competition benefits from the faith of its sponsors. This year, Worthing StreetVelodrome is being brought to the town in association with:

* Chandlers of Worthing

* Lancing College Preparatory School at Worthing

* Southern Railway

* Worthing Homes

This year, the Worthing StreetVelodrome weekend is also welcoming Worthing FC, Worthing RFC, Worthing Thunder, VC Jubilee and Southdown Leisure - all of whom will be offering visitors the chance to learn new skills, get active and revel in the sporting talent that Worthing has to offer.

For more information, please head to www.WorthingStreetVelodrome.co.uk.

Photo: Jack Ravenscroft - South Coast Rollers

Geminate II creates a digital playground at Colonnade House in the heart of Worthing

People are seeing themselves in a different light as they are transformed into glowing shapes and colourful digital images captured by clever technology hidden behind the windows of Colonnade House. Geminate II has been designed by artists Jim Horsfield and Adam Seaman who work together as As Described. The installation is live every evening between 5pm and 10pm and people have been amazed and delighted by the playful way that the images respond to their movements.

As well as creating the images, the artists commissioned Oscar nominated composer Andrew Phillips to create a soundscape for the work inspired by Worthing. The unique musical score for the installation also captures locally recorded atmospheric sounds. In addition, West Sussex Library Services kindly granted access to the local oral history archive that has provided the voiced memories of life here nearly a century ago, and recollections of wartime West Sussex.

Andrew Phillips says -

“Because the installation involves two separate screens and speakers playing simultaneously, I wanted there to be music on one side and more ambient sound effects on the other. So I recorded the sea under the Pier, used the wind on the seafront to vibrate the strings on an Aeolian Harp, and those sounds became an inspiration for the music. The voices from the oral history archive are really the centrepiece of the whole soundtrack, their memories inviting us to reimagine the space in which we are moving and listening.”

As well as providing an innovative form of public art for people to enjoy, the project is also intended to support the development of the creative industries in Worthing. Students from Worthing College will be getting a behind-the-scenes tour that will give them insight into the technology behind this work which includes components from an X-Box, and there will be a follow-up event at St Paul’s in April for a wider debate about the art of interactive space.

Cllr Dr Heather Mercer, Executive Member for Customer Services at Worthing Borough Council, said: "Worthing is fast becoming a hub for creative and digital industries and is an emerging jacuzzi bubble of creativity. This is something we as a local authority are committed to nurture and develop.

This amazing exhibition is a perfect example of the council providing a platform for talented local artists to showcase their artistic skills to a regional audience. I urge everyone to go along and enjoy the spectacle."

The Geminate II project has been supported with public funding from Arts Council England and Worthing Borough Council and is part of the programme at Colonnade House, Worthing’s Creative Hub which has been set up with funding from the Coastal Communities Fund. The Creative Hub is managed jointly by Worthing Borough Council and Adur & Worthing Trust.

More details about the project can be found here: http://colonnadehouse.co.uk/event/geminate-ii/

For more information contact clare.halstead@adur-worthing.gov.uk 01903 221142

Free event: Making the most of being a landlord

Landlords throughout Adur and Worthing are being invited to a free evening event, specifically designed to help them make the most out of their property portfolio.

Hosted by the National Landlord Association and Adur & Worthing Councils, the event will feature expert speakers covering everything that landlords need to know about how recent changes to legislation and taxation affect their business.

Suitable for all local private sector landlords, the event begins at 6pm on Thursday 23rd March in the Gordon Room, Stoke Abbot Road, Worthing, BN11 1HQ and is expected to run until 8:45pm.

In addition to the expert speakers, all attendees will be offered the chance to join in with a workshop, exploring how to strengthen the local private rented sector.  A team from Adur & Worthing Councils will be on hand to explain how the councils can work directly with landlords, guaranteeing rental income at the same time as tackling local housing supply issues.

Councillor Dr Heather Mercer, Executive Member for Customer Services at Worthing Borough Council, said:
“I am very pleased to see the council supporting this event - we have a diverse range of rental properties throughout the Borough, and it’s important that we are able to help landlords maximise the benefit of their properties.

“Landlords are also a vital partner in our work to increase the availability of affordable housing - and I would urge all property owners to consider how they could benefit from the free assistance we can offer.”


Adur District Council’s Executive Member for Customer Service, Councillor Carson Albury, adds:

“At Adur District Council, we want to be proactive in our approach to supporting landlords in the District.  Events such as these are the perfect opportunity for all landlords to get important information and benefit from free expert advice.

“Our local housing challenges have been well publicised, and we must use all available opportunities to support safe, clean and appropriate accommodation at the right tenure, for our growing District.  The Council has some fantastic support on offer which I suggest all landlords look into!”


Interested landlords are encouraged to email Steve Hay at Adur & Worthing Councils (steve.hay@adur-worthing.gov.uk) to secure their place for the evening, or to arrive at the Gordon Room, Stoke Abbot Road, Worthing in time for a prompt 6pm start on Thursday 23rd March.  Free parking will be available in the Civic Centre carpark directly adjacent to the venue.

WiseUp2's New Programme Launching Soon!

WiseUp2

Worthing and Adur Chamber is launching a new programme its highly successful WiseUp2 training sessions. Following on from the success of last year, the programme has been expanded to include topics suggested by members and also been expanded to delve deeper into high-demand areas such as Marketing.

What is it?

The new programme is offering over 20 different training sessions, all working with highly experienced trainers from the local area. The majority of sessions will be between 2 and 3 hours and based in Worthing town hall. They are kept deliberately small to offer a better learning experience to attendees. In most instances, this allows them to get a personalised experience from the trainer and really get what they need out of the session.

How do I find out more and book on?

The whole programme will be on the Chamber website www.worthingandadurchamber.co.uk or call the Chamber office on 01903 203484 to find out more. Chamber members receive special discounted rates of only £35 per session, and for non-members it's £75. You simply cannot get training at these rates anywhere else.

Watch this space!

The Chamber will also be putting together some bigger 'meet the professionals' days which will offer a whole day focusing on a particular topic, allowing attendees to attain a much clearer understanding of the subject and leave with some practical solutions to any specific problems. These will be announced shortly.

Free Business Support with Business Navigator

Coast to Capital’s Business Navigator Growth Hub is a free service that signposts all businesses to the vital support that helps business owners achieve their objectives and growth.

Your local Business Navigators are, Amanda Geel and Ryan Davies, who cover the Worthing, Coastal and Rural West Sussex areas. They can research potential funding options, help you find a business mentor/advisor, assist with recruitment, find support for website development, and much more.

Amanda will be holding free information, guidance & support clinics in conjunction with Worthing & Adur Chamber of Commerce at the Sphere Business Centre in Broadwater

These sessions will focus on discussing your business needs whether it is access to finance, new routes to markets or training and development.

These sessions will run in the afternoon on:

• 25^th April
• 23 May
• 20^th June
• 18th July
• 19th September

Please contact Tracie Davey to book your free 1hr with Amanda:

T: 01903 203 484 or E: tracie@worthingandadurchamber.co.uk

Are you a charity or community group that needs funding for a project? 

Worthing and Adur Fund is open for applications – deadline: Friday 5^th May 2017

The Worthing and Adur Fund gives up to £500 in grants to small charities and community groups working in Worthing and Adur. The next deadline for applications is Friday 5^th May 2017.

Established in 2010, the Fund was set up in partnership with the Worthing and Adur Chamber of Commerce, under the umbrella of Sussex Community Foundation. A number of local Worthing people and businesses were founder donors and these donations established a core endowment fund. The income has since grown and enabled the Fund to make 29 grants worth £16,422 to 23 charities and community groups from Worthing and Adur

Recent groups supported by the Worthing and Adur fund include:

Worthing Town FC The Club has recently introduced a development team training opportunity for local under-5s keen to learn football. The response exceeded expectations leaving the Club without sufficient equipment to actively involve all of the children at each session. The Club used their £500 grant to buy four Junior goals, 20 Junior Lite balls and two packs of training bibs

Sussex Martlets Trampolining Club (pictured) used their grant to help buy additional floor safety matting and other safety equipment

Worthing Speakabout, an advocacy group run for and by people with learning difficulties. Grant went towards running costs, office rent, mini bus and hire of meeting room at Buddy's Cafe.

Worthing Gymnastics grant helped to fit out their new venue with essential apparatus.

Storm Ministries serves the local community through various activities, clubs and events. Their funding provided disabled access via a ramp with hand rails.

For more information and to make an application to the Worthing & Adur Fund, visit www.sussexgiving.org.uk/worthingadur