Worthing and Adur Chamber of Commerce were pleased to host an Election Breakfast at Northbrook College recently, giving their members the chance to question potential candidates about their policies and local business issues.   Each party were given the opportunity to outline their main points for election and then questions were taken from the floor.

Tim Cross - UKIP Candidate for Worthing West

“We should not be afraid of leaving the EU at all; on the contrary we should embrace the opportunity to trade with the whole world and not be imprisoned in a straight-jacket under the control of the EU and its laws. In simple terms we would not have to pay £55 million per day as our contribution, be subject to EU laws and directives which cost business at least £30 billion per annum and with control of immigration we would be able to bring in quality skilled migrants instead of unskilled migrants which we do not need and who push down wages.”

James Doyle -Green Party Parliamentary Candidate for East Worthing & Shoreham

“Political support for businesses should be as local as possible, responsive to their needs, and should help them look to the future with their own plans as well as the government.  Our workforce needs to be educated and skilled to compete with other countries, and paid well enough to live.”

Tim Loughton MP - Candidate for East Worthing & Shoreham

“The Chamber of Commerce has shown again what a thriving business community we have locally and it is incumbent upon all elected representatives to have policies in place to make Adur & Worthing good places to do business. Whether it’s through improving infrastructure such as the A27 upgrade at last, raising skill levels of school-leavers or making ultra-fast broadband as standard this is an exciting place to invest and expand - so look out Brighton.”

Hazel Thorpe Liberal Democrat candidate for West Worthing

Local Manifesto
Economy; to support SMEs in surviving, thriving, being sustainable, via lobbying for Government and EU funding and networking
Education; to support our schools & colleges to prepare young people for the jobs, skills and vocations needed
Health and Social Care; to support the hospital and NHS by raising awareness of public opinion, needs, experience and speaking out
Real life solutions; highlighting the need for emotional intelligence, caring support and training between apprenticeships and full time work

Tim Macpherson – Labour candidate for East Worthing

“Small businesses are the engine room of our economy, they currently get a raw deal from this Government which tends to classify "business" as the large multinationals over which they have little control.
We will cut business rates which burden small businesses and cancel the planned cut in corporation tax, a cut which mainly benefits big business.
Stop late payments as cash flow is king for a small business and 90+ days is too long.  Labour would like to encourage business lending and introduce a shipping economy as they don’t believe there is one currently. We'll boost the status of apprenticeships, particularly for the 16 - 24 age group which leads to a real job.
Finally we'll legislate against zero hours contracts being used by companies to hire people on the cheap."

If you would like to hear more on the prospects of what a new government will look like our Patron Gillian Fielding will give us her vision at our forthcoming AGM on Wednesday 29^thApril

Gillian Fielding, Secret Millionaire and Chamber Patron.

Once again we are lucky to have our Patron Gillian Fielding with us, she has her finger on the pulse of wider picture and always gives an entertaining and inspiring talk. Gill will give us her vision as to how things may look depending on who manages to win the election. At past AGM’s she has shared her insight as to the décor of the cloakroom in 10 Downing Street …… will this change? Just what do the politicians think they are doing with the economy, or will it all go down the pan!!!!!

Chris Tomlinson – Eon 

Will be telling us about the progress on the Rampion Windfarm which is about to start at Brooklands. There will also be information on the procurement process for this project

Alex Bailey - CEO Adur & Worthing Council

Alex is determined to lead us into prosperity and growth, whether we like it or not. Alex will update us on ‘Underground Sussex.... Unlocking the value in our visitor economy’.  

It’s always an informative and well attended evening with excellent networking opportunities, so book now via www.worthingandadurchamber.co.uk. Non-Members welcome.

Shoreham’s growth as a centre of living, working and learning has taken a major step forward today, with Adur District Council’s announcement that KSD SteelRock Estates Ltd (“KSD SteelRock”) have been chosen as the preferred developer for the Civic Centre Site.

With social and economic regeneration at the forefront of the Council’s mind, the Executive Members and Council Officers are in no doubt that the KSD SteelRock proposal brings sharp focus onto the long-term impact of this key landmark site.  While the full details of the plans are still to be opened to public consultation, key highlights are:

*The foundation of a digital academy on the former staff car park site to accelerate the growth of digital skills in the local economy
*The relocation of Focus, a major local employer, from Southwick, protecting 150 local jobs and providing expansion space for the firm to double in size
*The provision of a range of spaces suitable for the needs of the town’s businesses to expand into, or micro businesses to operate from
*A number of high quality residential units ranging in size from 1 - 3 bedrooms, 30% of which will be affordable properties
*Hotel accommodation suited to the needs of business and leisure visitors
*High quality landscaping and design, maximising the attractiveness not only of the development itself, but of the views through the development to the river frontage.

Leader of Adur District Council, Neil Parkin, comments:

“I’m delighted to see the creation of new jobs, new skills and new residences for the people of Shoreham.  The Civic Centre site has been a target for our town’s regeneration efforts, and I am so pleased to be announcing KSD SteelRock as our preferred developer. 

“I fully believe that their ambitions match the District Council’s when it comes to creating long term value for the town and its community.”

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

“The marketing for this site has been thorough and robust, resulting in a range of high quality submissions.

“Working with KSD SteelRock will allow us to drive forward our ambitious ‘Catching The Wave’ agenda, which focused the Councils’ sights firmly on growing our economies and our places to provide vibrant spaces to live, work and enjoy.”

Rupert English, Chief Executive at KSD SteelRock, adds:

“We are delighted to have been selected as preferred developer for this landmark site.  We are looking forward to working in close co-operation with both Adur District Council and the wider local community to deliver a development that combines an iconic design conceived by renowned local architect, Conran & Partners, with facilities which address local needs.”

Ralph Gilbert, Managing Director at Focus, is enthusiastic about the opportunities that expanding the business into Shoreham will bring.  He says:

“We are really excited about being part of the re-development of the Adur Civic Centre site. We can now concentrate on growing our business within the local area without the space restrictions we have in our current premises and ensuring our business can expand in an area convenient to our existing team.  We very much look forward to being a big part of Shoreham’s community in these exciting times.”

Public and stakeholder consultations will be held in the coming months to discuss the design and development of the Adur Civic Centre site (which incorporates both the Civic Centre and the staff car park opposite), and it is anticipated that a full planning application will be forthcoming in the Autumn of this year.

Further details will be announced in due course.

 Easter Eggstravaganza - 4th April 2015 4 Mar, 2015

The Worthing Borough Council Planning Committee Meeting scheduled for 15^th April has been deferred to a later date, following a request from property developers, Roffey Homes.

The future of the Aquarena site has ignited a large amount of debate in recent months, with both Worthing Borough Council and Roffey Homes receiving a great deal of correspondence on the subject.

In light of the detailed feedback, including that received from the Coastal Design Panel, Roffey Homes have requested that the 15^th April Planning Committee meeting be deferred until a later date. The Council have agreed, since both Members and Officers feel that it is important to ensure that the right solution is brought forward for this key regeneration site.

As soon as the scheme is ready to be brought back to the Committee, the new date will be widely publicised. No other business was due to be discussed at this meeting.

Neil Hopkins Head of Communications Adur and Worthing Councils

Are you a First Time Buyer ?

If yes, would you be interested in attending a local seminar packed with free information and quality advice about purchasing a property?

CSN Homes are planning to run such a seminar and would like your input.

Please could you take the time to complete the following survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MBJJM9G

Thank you
CSN Homes
www.csnproperties.co.uk

We in the Shoreham Slipways Group would like your support with a planning application for a much needed slipway at the Adur Recreation Ground. As you probably know, Shoreham has a long maritime history and had numerous public slipways and hards which have either been built on or had the car parking removed. It is now very difficult for owners of small boats, anglers, divers, etc to gain access to the river and the sea. Last year, WSCC commissioned a detailed study into slipways on the Adur which proposed a slipway at the Adur Rec. We have now submitted a planning application for a slipway.  

The planning application is now open for comment and will remain open until Wednesday 25 March. You can respond directly on the planning website ( the site is best viewed using Internet Explorer)
http://planning.adur-worthing.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=makeComment&keyVal=NK8FR0CB03G00
or by email to the planning officer: Peter.Barnett@adur-worthing.gov.uk - include your name, address, and ( if relevant ) who you represent. You should write why you believe that a slipway is important e.g. to replace the ones that have been lost, for leisure purposes, to encourage visitors and tourism, to help boost the local economy, etc. Responses will not only help us with the planning application but also ensure that the various public bodies see the level of support which will encourage them to work together and push the project forward. Responding is quick and easy and will be very useful in pushing the matter forward.

We now have a website www.shorehamslipways.com which shows the planning application details and also provides links for people to make comments.

Adur Civic Centre has been transformed into the sets and production offices for a major new BBC One drama series, ‘Cuffs’ which focuses on South Sussex Police.   Shoreham-by-Sea will sit centre stage over the coming months.  The drama is being produced by London-based production company, Tiger Aspect (Credits include: Peaky Blinders, Ripper Street, Benidorm, Mr Bean, Bad Education, Restoration Man).        

Much of the location filming will be taking place in and around Brighton and Shoreham.

The majority of interiors are being filmed in Shoreham’s currently partially vacant Civic Centre, which is being transformed into the Police Station and sits at the very heart of the drama.  The production team will also operate from its base, also established in the Civic Centre.

Series Producer, Trevor Hopkins, says:

“The production team is delighted to be working in Shoreham.  The town will be put firmly on the map during production and especially during the period immediately prior to and during transmission later this year when much of the publicity will focus on promoting the town and the great experience the cast and crew have experienced whilst working there.”

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

“This is an incredibly exciting way to use the Civic Centre, the upper floors of which have been unused for some time.  Our part of the Sussex coast is a great place to film in, we have some stunning locations and the scenery is second to none.  I can’t wait for the series to start to see Shoreham, once the home of the English Film Industry, shown off to the world!”

The filming is expected to last into the Summer and the series will air in the autumn.

Albion in the Community are seeking out cancer champion volunteers.

Take a look at our poster and book a place on our training day

More grant funding success for Adur and Worthing

Residents across Worthing and Adur will soon be offered the chance of gaining rewards to use in leisure facilities and Worthing Theatres, thanks to a £136,000 grant from the Department for Communities and Local Government. The grant is to be shared by both Councils and will be split over the year coinciding with dates the scheme will be running, 2015 – 2016.

After realising that sending recyclable waste to landfill is expensive and damaging to the environment, the Government decided to work with local authorities and support initiatives that recognise and reward those who reduce, reuse and recycle their waste.

The Government grant will enable Adur & Worthing Councils to work in partnership on an initiative in which the 65,000 households within these areas will be in with a chance of winning leisure vouchers and prizes.

Keith Dollemore, Executive Member for the Environment at Adur District Council said “As a seaside authority Adur is firmly committed to the principle of offering weekly refuse and fortnightly recycling collections. On behalf of the Council, I feel that this enables us to maintain a clean and safe environment as well as meeting the needs and desires of our local residents. The grant will be put towards funding our Recycling reward scheme known as Total Quality Recycling.”

The project aims to encourage a better quality and  higher volume of recycling throughout Adur and Worthing, with the goal of reducing contamination , the amount of  waste sent to landfill and making communities and individuals more aware of how recycling can make a positive change.

Clive Roberts, Executive Member for the Environment at Worthing Borough Council, added “This is a fantastic opportunity for us to make people aware of the impact they can have by recycling properly. Our aim is not only to reward those that do recycle but to equip residents with the knowledge of what, and how, to recycle successfully.”

The project also corresponds with the increase of plastic materials deemed recyclable by Adur & Worthing Councils, as of Wednesday 1st April 2015 plastic tubs, pots and trays will be accepted providing they are washed and dried first. It’s projected this change alone will see recycling levels increase by 4000 tonnes per year, pushing West Sussex’s recycling rates to over 40%.

To find out more information on what we can recycle and how you can get involved visit:  http://www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/recycling/what-we-can-recycle/ 

Business Development Opportunities at StreetVelodrome

On the 1st and 2nd August 2015, Worthing will host the fifth round of the UK StreetVelodrome series - which will then be aired on various global television networks as a 30 minute Worthing highlights show – and sponsorship opportunities are now available for businesses wanting to significantly raise their profile.

With several thousand people expected to pack out Beach House grounds in Worthing on the first weekend of August, the StreetVelodrome event would be a good opportunity for any company to connect to more customers. The television highlights show extends this opportunity, with over 600,000 adults seeing the equivalent StreetVelodrome programme in 2014.

Worthing Borough Council has been keen to keep the cost of sponsorship opportunities affordable, as Executive Member for Regeneration, Councillor Bryan Turner, explains:

“There’s no point bringing a hugely exciting event like StreetVelodrome to Worthing, only to price local businesses out of the sponsorship opportunities.

“We’ve already had incredibly strong interest and take up in our Gold, Silver and Bronze packages, with significant local companies investing in some high profile brand building.  However, there are still spaces, so interested businesses should move quickly to secure a sponsorship slot.”

In addition to the main sponsorship packages, Worthing Borough Council are developing a filmed media package which will be both used as a marketing tool in the run up to the event, and as a celebration of a fantastic weekend of StreetVelodrome cycling afterwards.

Businesses interested in finding out how to make the most of this opportunity should contact Jo Osborne, Worthing Borough Council’s Events Manager by email (jo.osborne@adur-worthing.gov.uk).

More information about the exciting StreetVelodrome event, and its inaugural Worthing heat, can be found on their website – www.streetvelodrome.co.uk