On Thursday 21st April 2016, Councillor Michael Donin, Mayor of Worthing will conduct a Beacon lighting ceremony, to mark the 90th birthday of Her Majesty the Queen.

Local residents are invited to join him from 7.45pm, at the Beacon, opposite the Beach Office on Marine Parade, Worthing seafront.

Mayor Donin will then lead on singing the National Anthem and will read a message from HRH The Prince of Wales.  He will also be joined by Councillor Robert Smytherman, Worthing Town Crier. 

The Beacon will be lit at by the Mayor at 8:30pm.  One of many to be lit all across the UK that evening. 

HMRC collected an additional £470 million in tax as a result of inquiries into small and medium-sized businesses last year, according to data collected by UHY Hacker Young. At the same time, the additional tax collected from inquiries into large firms fell by 13%, from £4 billion to £3.5 billion. UHY Hacker Young believes inquiries into the tax affairs of small firms could increase as HMRC refocuses investigations away from large firms to smaller firms which are considered an easier target.

Roy Maugham, Tax Partner at UHY Hacker Young, said: "As well as being more likely for SMEs to make a mistake when it comes to their taxes, they are also less likely to effectively negotiate if they disagree with HMRC’s demands, as they will feel out of their depth and fear arguing with the taxman will lead to substantial costs and protracted disruption."

For further information, go to:
http://www.accountancyage.com/2016/03/29/hmrc-ups-tax-take-from-smes-by-470m-last-year/

On Monday 4th April, the Adur & Worthing Councils Parks & Foreshore team reacted to public reports of a fresh wave of ' a wax type substance'  being washed up along the Adur & Worthing coastline.  

The Councils combined Parks & Foreshore and Cleansing teams were able to initiate a clean up plan straight away as they have recent experience of clearing up this type of substance.  

Also, given it's current clump like state, it makes it easier to pick up and clear, but if left would become smaller in size and harder to pick up, resulting in a less efficient and timely clean up.

As before, we ask that members of the public and dog owners stay clear of the white, wax like clumps.  Although not toxic, the clumps are messy, can stain clothes and is unpleasant for dogs if consumed.  

Samples have been collected and sent to a specialist laboratory for formal analysis.  

Pictured below:

1.  Adur & Worthing councils Park & Foreshores team at work today, cleaning the coastline.

2.  White wax like substance clumps

Worthing Pier has been voted runner up in the Pier Of The Year 2016 competition for the second consecutive year.

In the 20th year of the award, Worthing lost out only to Cleethorpes but saw off competition from 17 other piers across the UK, who all received votes from the members of the National Piers Society.

Worthing Pier has been no stranger to this award, also being runner up in 2015 and last crowned Pier Of The Year in 2006. The accolade reflects hard work from teams at both the Southern Pavilion and Worthing Borough Council over the past year. 

The National Piers Society praised the Southern Pavilion for their efforts bringing it back into use, whilst their refurbishment fitted the art deco style of the pier and the evening events programme is proving very popular. The Council were also commended for their continued care and attention to the pier’s structure, which has seen further re-decking carried out.

Cllr Bryan Turner, Executive Member for Regeneration at Worthing Borough Council, commented:

“This is great news for Worthing, to have our iconic pier commended by a national organisation in competition with other seaside towns across the country. Developing our seafront offer is key to the regeneration of Worthing, the visitor economy and helps to support local businesses.

“To be runner up for a second year in a row highlights the work that has gone into maintaining and improving the high standard of our pier, which we can all be proud of.”

Phil Duckett, Manager of Southern Pavilion, commented:

“We are thrilled to be chosen once again as  the runner up, for the second year in succession, in the National Piers Society Awards. We feel with all the hard work that everyone has put into the pier so far  as well as plans for the future the best is yet to come, so roll on next year.”

After two years of hard graft, supported by investment from Worthing Borough Council and the Department for Communities & Local Government, Colonnade House is about to be transformed from building site into a thriving small business hub in the heart of the town.

The penultimate part of the Colonnade House transformation jigsaw will slot into place when the specifically manufactured windows - designed to fit into the heritage architecture - are installed by early April. Once the windows are in place, the building will be completely weather tight and the final part of the internal fit out can start before it takes on a new life as an incubator for small and medium sized arts enterprises, launching early Summer.

Councillor Bryan Turner, Executive Member for Regeneration at Worthing Borough Council, says:

“This is a great moment for the town, its economy and the entrepreneurs who are looking at Worthing as a prime place to found their businesses.  

“Colonnade House will offer a unique incubation space focused on the needs of the arts and culture sector - something that the town has lacked until now. We’re building on the successful precedent set by our decision to open up the beach front chalets as artists’ studios/gallery spaces, where demand outstrips available supply.  

“Worthing’s cultural sector is a significant contributor to the town’s economy and we clearly have the potential - and now the space - to punch above our weight in the coastal arts and business scenes.”

His sentiments are echoed by Cllr Daniel Humphreys, Leader of the Council, who adds:

“This is another example of our Council looking at what the town needs, and then actively pursuing all opportunities to turn a great idea into reality.

“In regenerating Colonnade House, we’re not just opening up new space for cultural entrepreneurs, we’re also restoring part of our architectural heritage for future generations - and I’m proud to see the works nearing completion.  It will be a great day when the scaffolding finally comes down and Colonnade House is revealed in all of its newly restored glory.”

Once completed, Colonnade House will support twenty or more jobs in the heart of the town, complementing the offer presented by the Sphere at Northbrook College. Individually, the two business incubators open up a wealth of opportunities to diverse business sectors but together, they reflect the growing confidence of the local economy and its entrepreneurial spirit.

An advert for a Manager to oversee the Creative Hub will be published before Easter and terms of reference for the Hub’s Management Board are being drawn up in partnership with the Adur & Worthing Trust, without whose support the project would not have come into being.  

To be among the first to find out about the business incubator opportunities on offer, contact Joanna Malandain - joanna.malandain@adur-worthing.gov.uk or 01903 221305.

Fishersgate Residents Association will receive £10,000 towards improving green space, through the Tesco Bags of Help initiative.

The supermarket teamed up with Groundwork to launch its Bags of Help initiative, in aid of environmental projects. Successful nominations were put to public vote at local Tesco stores to determine the amount of funding they will receive.

The project to improve outdoor green areas in Fishersgate came second and will now benefit from the grant, which has been raised from the 5p bag levy.

Cllr David Simmons, Executive Member for Health & Wellbeing at Adur District Council, commented:

"This is welcomed news, and reflects the enormous amount of work that local residents have been putting in to improve their local area. While Adur District Council have been supporting local organisations through the 'Action Eastbrook Partnership' for some time, the community members involved are to be congratulated on their success. This adds to their other successes which include raising funds for the recreation ground through the 'Friends of Fishersgate Rec.' and the Fishersgate Voice Newspaper.  Well done Fishersgate!"

Voting ran in store from 27 February until 6 March – with customers choosing which group they’d like to get the top award using a token given to them at the check-out in store.

Caroline Silke, Head of Community at Tesco, said: “Bags of Help has been a fantastic success. We have been overwhelmed by the response of our customers and the feedback has been brilliant. We can’t wait to see the money being put to use bringing these projects to life.”

Groundwork’s national chief executive, Graham Duxbury, said: “We have been delighted to have been involved in the Bags of Help project. It has been wonderful to follow the projects through the application process to the final announcement.

“This initiative is really putting something back into the local environment, transforming green spaces and helping the community at a grass-roots level.”