August sees the arrival of the exciting

StreetVelodrome event launches in Beach House Gardens, Worthing?  

 With that in mind, I am absolutely delighted to share this news release with you, revealing who the event's Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsors are, as well as letting local businesses know that opportunities to book a trade stand for the event are still available.

 We're also seeing lots of interest from individuals registering for the competitive race action ballot - full details in the attached and below.

Withless than 100 days to go, Worthing’s StreetVelodrome event is racing ahead

 All available sponsorship opportunities for Worthing’s inaugural StreetVelodrome event have been enthusiastically taken up by local businesses, as residents’ registration numbers pour in.

 The StreetVelodrome Competition is a radically different, free to attend, event which is being brought to Beach House Grounds on the first weekend of August. Using a pro-grade pop-up track, amateur cyclists will be pitting their pace against professional riders in a national competition which will be televised around the globe.

 For the Worthing competition, six breakaway businesses leapt at the chance to sponsor the event, putting their brand in front of the event’s audience.  They are:

 Gold Sponsors

Bowers & Wilkins Group

Parafix Ltd

 Silver Sponsor

Sussex Transport

 Bronze Sponsors

ETI Ltd

Nuffield Health

Worthing Pier Events Ltd

 Scott Marshall, Director for the Economy at Adur and Worthing Councils, says:

 “Strong support for sponsoring the StreetVelodrome shows how highly anticipated this event is in the town.  

 “Having such immediate interest from the local business community proves that the Council made the right decision to invest in bringing this event to Worthing, supporting the tourist economy and delivering value to the local businesses.”

 The first weekend of August won’t just be about watching riders go head-to-head around the banked track in two thrilling  days of displays of sporting prowess - local businesses are also being invited to bring their trade stands to the event.  Costing just £75 per pitch per day, these trade stands will give businesses an unrivalled opportunity to get in with the crowds and competitors.  For more information, interested entrepreneurs should email info@bairdevents.co.uk.

 Local residents and visitors who want to get onto the track can come along on the Saturday where there will be plenty of opportunity to get in line for one of the ‘have a go’ sessions for free.

 Carl Thompson, Series Director for StreetVelodrome, says:

 “80 amateur riders have now entered the free registration ballot for race entries at Round 5 of StreetVelodrome Series to be held in Worthing. From those entering the ballot a lucky few will win guaranteed race entries.

 “The take-up has been absolutely astounding - I don’t think that we’ve ever booked up so many of our race entries so fast!

 “The weekend is shaping up to have something for everyone - whether competing or not - and I can’t wait to see who from Worthing and the surrounding areas makes it to our Grand Final in London at the end of August.”

 Entries into the race registration ballot are currently being accepted through the StreetVelodrome website -

http://www.streetvelodrome.co.uk/.  The weekend is free to attend and will give visitors plenty of opportunities to experience other attractions, see circus workshops or simply have a bite to eat or a drink at the pop up bar whilst the action takes place.

 

 

Increased investment interest in Worthing results in Teville Gate agreement for sale.

 New homes, new businesses and investment in key gateway site - the news of Teville Gate’s agreement for sale could not have come at a better time for Worthing as the town sees a surge in growth and investment interest. 

 While full details of any scheme for Teville Gate will be subject to a full and rigorous public consultation process, early indications are that the developers, purchasing the site from the Official Receiver, are seeking a mixed use development incorporating residential units above a wide range of commercial uses.  

Scott Marshall, Director for the Economy at Adur and Worthing Councils, comments:

“This is a significant day for the town and for the wider Borough. Teville Gate has been high on our priority investment opportunity list, and I’m delighted to see a viable opportunity coming forward for a vibrant mixed use development in a key gateway location.  It’s encouraging news after such a long delay that the Official Receiver has reached an agreement for sale.

 “As soon as the finer details of the sale are negotiated, we will release the name of the site’s new owners and issue a joint statement, which we anticipate being available in early June.”

 James Appleton, Head of Economic Growth at Adur and Worthing Councils comments:

“The Council is keen to see the comprehensive redevelopment of this site to ensure an enhanced pedestrian link between the railway station and the town centre.  In this respect every assistance will be given to the new owners of the site to create a viable and high quality development which will provide a significant boost to the local economy and provide an enhanced gateway into the town centre.”

Teville Gate is the second key regeneration site acquired by developers this year, the first being Union Place which sold in January.  Adur District Council are also in advanced negotiations with a consortium to buy the Adur Civic Centre Site, which will provide new homes and businesses.  

 At this time, it is anticipated that an outline planning application for Teville Gate will be submitted to Worthing Borough Council by the end of 2015.

 

Worthing’s foreshore beacon will be lit on 8th May 2015, in keeping with celebrations due to take place up and down the country to honour the heroes of World War Two.

 

Friday 8th May will see the start of a national commemorative weekend as the country unites to honour those who played their part in the victory of World War Two. Coinciding with the national two minutes silence, Worthing’s millennial beacon will be lit on the 8th May at 3pm as the two minutes silence begins.

 To be part of this ceremonial lighting all you will need to do is make your way to the millennial beacon before 3pm.  The beacon can be found, if looking towards the sea, to the right of Worthing’s award winning pier.

 John Mitchell, Director for Communities at Adur & Worthing Councils, says:

 “Lighting the foreshore beacon is a highly symbolic act, reminding us of the freedoms we enjoy today, and the price that those freedoms cost others.

 “It is apt that the beacon will be lit the day after the General Election - another point in our calendars that should remind us just how fortunate we here in the UK are today.”

 The significance of the 3pm lighting is to mark the moment Winston Churchill made his speech formally announcing the end of the war in Europe.  It also signifies the start of the celebratory weekend across the country, consisting of fireworks, concerts, services of remembrance and street parties that will take place on Sunday the 10th.

 

 

 As you may already be aware at the beginning of the year the Council was approached by the BBC and Tiger Aspects with regards to filming a new prime time BBC1 Police drama in the Adur and Worthing area called CUFFS, with Adur Civic Centre featuring as the fictional Police headquarters and also being used by the BBC as their production and operational base during the 6 months of filming.

 

Filming is now well underway with location shooting having already taken place at various locations within our area and within Adur Civic Centre where a number of sets have been constructed.

 

The BBC will be filming scenes for their forthcoming TV series in Worthing Town Hall

Free alcohol awareness training for West Sussex businesses

 

Employers in West Sussex are being reminded they can access free training about alcohol awareness.

The training involves helping them to start conversations with staff about risky alcohol use.

19% of adults reportedly drink alcohol at a level which is risky for their health. This is estimated to cost £40.2 million per year.

Christine Field, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing, said: “I would encourage businesses, through their managers, human resources and personnel staff, to take up the offer of this training. Workplaces can be a good way to raise awareness of health issues or to pass on information and advice.”

Among the benefits for businesses is to:

• ·         Promote a safe and healthy working environment
• ·         Sustain a healthy and productive workforce
• ·         Strengthen business performance

The training is called Alcohol Identification and Brief Advice and is given by an organisation called Drugtrain on behalf of West Sussex County Council.

Employers and businesses who would like to take up the training should email admin@drugtrain.org.uk or call 01226 738321.

Adur and Worthing Careers Fair, Wednesday 17^th June from 5.00-8.00pm at Northbrook College Broadwater

Can you promote Careers within your individual sectors? Would you like to attend as an exhibitor?

The focus for the event is for school and College leavers to attend but, as this also coincides with the Adult Information Fair on the same evening, it is likely that visitors will be of all ages.

If you are interested in coming along to this FREE event and having a stand, please click here to download a booking form and return to: Brenda Cook Apprenticeship and Careers Manager for External Partnerships, b.cook@nbcol.ac.uk

South Downs Leisure - under the starter’s gun...

It’s taken a year of hard work but, on Tuesday 14 April Worthing Borough Councillors voted unanimously to give a ringing endorsement to the final stage of the process to transfer Worthing’s successful leisure services to a community run trust.

Gaining support from across Worthing’s political spectrum, the creation of South Downs Leisure Trust, who will officially take over the management of all Worthing’s leisure and fitness sites on 1st May, marks a watershed moment both for the town, and for the Borough Council’s ambitions for the future of local government delivery.

John Mitchell, Director for Communities at Adur & Worthing Councils, explains:

“The decision to create the South Downs Leisure Trust was not taken lightly by the Council’s Members or Officers - but I am convinced that it was the right one to make. 

“Worthing Leisure - South Downs Leisure as it will be from 1 May - have been performing increasingly strongly in the last few years, and the Borough Council can be rightly proud of its record of growing sport and fitness across Worthing.

“However, there is only so much that we can do and, by transferring management to a community run trust, we’re opening the doors to increasing levels of funding and investment in the facilities; bringing an even greater community voice into the running of the Trust and to expanding an already highly regarded offer yet further.

“In Catching The Wave, we said that we would be cultivating enterprising communities of people deeply engaged in the running of their communities; working with the South Downs Leisure Trust is the largest example of that ambition coming to fruition yet.”

While South Downs Leisure customers will be unaffected by the official change of management on 1st May, over time they will experience the benefits of significant improvements to the venues and facilities.  Any profits made by the Trust will be reinvested directly back into the business, complementing the additional tax breaks available to it as a Non-Profit Distributing Organisation and so providing the working funds needed to make the most of leisure and sport in Worthing.

For more details about the Trust, or to find out about the exciting range of fitness opportunities on offer, please visit their website: www.SouthDownsLeisure.co.u

The UK's leading economic expert comes to Shoreham's Ropetackle Centre.

Paul Johnson - Director of the Institute For Fiscal Studies

As the TV and radio “go to man” for all issues related to the nation’s finances, Paul Johnson, director of the hugely respected and internationally renowned Institute For Fiscal Studies (IFS), will be giving an exclusive talk at Shoreham’s Ropetackle Arts Centre on 17th April, 8pm.

The IFS has established itself as one of the most authoritative and independent voices on economic analysis, regularly being cited by all party leaders despite its readiness to question, and where necessary, criticise their pronouncements, most recently raising serious questions about both George Osborne’s budget forecasts and Ed Balls’ response.

It is in the area of public finances that the IFS projections are particularly significant. As Paul, originally from Shoreham, will reveal in his talk, what lies ahead during the next 5 years in terms of deficit reduction and the impact on public service will be hugely important.

Ropetackle chairman Martin Allen said: “Paul Johnson visiting Ropetackle, particularly so close to the election, is a real coup for Ropetackle. With his fascinating insight into the tensions between politics and the management of the country’s finances, it promises to be a very special occasion not to be missed!"

Paul will be at Ropetackle on Friday 17th April, 8pm. Tickets: £5

Tickets are available from the box office on 01273 464440, online at http://ropetacklecentre.co.uk/events/paul-johnson/ or in person at:

Ropetackle Arts Centre, Little High Street, Shoreham, West Sussex, BN43 5EG

The Money Tree - an opportunity to fund innovative youth projects in Worthing

Do you currently work with under 25’s on projects which benefit the community as well as the young people taking part? Or simply have an idea for a project but don’t know where to find the money?

Then you could be eligible to apply for up to £5000 of funding from one of two Money Trees from Worthing Borough Council.

The youth focused scheme has been designed to help fund those projects which promote a positive image of young people and help the community at the same time. The Money Tree is currently accepting applications for funding up until May 5th 2015; the forms can be found online at http://www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/the-money-tree/  or can be printed off to complete and return by post.

The Money Tree allows locally run projects to apply to one of two ‘trees’ of funding, the smaller tree will offer funding of up to £2000 with the larger offering anything between £2001 - £5000, the only restrictions being that all projects must promote a positive image of young people in Worthing, and must be focussed on one of the key themes below:

* Stay safe

* Be healthy

* Enjoy and Achieve

* Achieve economic well being

* Make a positive contribution

Worthing and Adur’s Head of Wellbeing Tina Favier said:

“You may be in a group already running a successful project, or an individual with a simple idea - all bids are welcome and encouraged! So if you run or know of a project that helps young people as well as the community, and would benefit from additional funding, get your applications to Joanne Clarke in Worthing Borough Council’s Community’s Team as soon as possible.”  

Once all applications have been received, they will be scored by a panel of judges made up of local Councillors and young people. Successful bids will then be invited to an event on 2nd July 2015 (venue to be advised) where they will be given the opportunity to present their project ideas to a live voting audience consisting of young people, supporters of the bids and a panel of judges from the Worthing Executive members.

If you know of any schemes that would benefit from additional funding then why delay making an application? For more information, please visit the Councils’ website (http://www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/the-money-tree/) or call Jo Clarke on 01273 263175.