PIONEERING MERGER HAS SAVED COUNCILS £17m -- NEW FIGURES

Merging council services across Adur and Worthing has saved £17m over the last ten years, according to new figures.

The tenth anniversary of the amalgamation of services between borough and district falls on Wednesday (July 12) and finance chiefs at the councils calculate that the ongoing saving is still amounting to more than £3m a year.

Adur and Worthing were the first councils in the country to merge service functions such as refuse collections, officer responsibility, IT systems, benefits, planning policy and parks.

The pioneering move has meant that the councils have been able to protect frontline services against central government grant cuts. For instance Adur & Worthing Councils are one of the few local authorities still committed to weekly refuse collections,

Many other council across the UK have since adopted Adur and Worthing’s blueprint. While back office functions have been merged the councils themselves have remained completely independent with elected councillors for both authorities deciding their own priorities for their residents.

Leader of Adur District Council, Cllr Neil Parkin said:” I think it is worth noting this milestone anniversary. It was a bold move and people thought we were mad. We have saved taxpayers money while maintaining frontline services.

“And of course we remain separate from Worthing but nevertheless we work well together on big projects that benefit residents of both places.”

Leader of Worthing Borough Council, Cllr Dan Humphries said:” £17m is a hefty saving and has allowed us to focus on what is really important for the people of this borough.

“We have never lost our individual identity but working together has brought great benefits to both communities.”

Early savings in senior management costs saved around £400,000 and removing duplication of services continues to save money.

Bringing together refuse services under the banner Adur&Worthing Councils Services (AWCS) was the first large-scale project undertaken with the streamlining of operations and routes making significant savings

In addition the councils reduced the number of their own office buildings down from three to two, with Worthing Town Hall and Portland House, Worthing remaining and Adur Civic Centre now the subject of a pioneering district council-backed homes and offices development scheme.

Business Navigator Newsletter - July 

A27 Worthing and Lancing improvements

In line with the Government’s 2015 Road Investment Strategy, Highways England has committed to improve the A27 between Worthing and Lancing. They  have developed a scheme which they say aims to improve traffic flow, journey times, safety and accessibility, boost local economic growth and minimise the impact on the environment.

They have announced the following  public consultation will run from 19 July to 12 September 2017. All responses to the public consultation will be considered by Highways England's project team. The closing date for responses is 11.59pm on 12 September 2017.

Copies of the brochure and the questionnaire will also be available at local libraries throughout the consultation period.

From 19 July, the A27 Worthing Lancing improvements website will have key information about the proposals, including the brochure, online questionnaire, frequently asked questions, various background reports and supporting information. Please visit: www.highways.gov.uk/a27Worthing-and-Lancing

HMS Shoreham arrived in in its namesake harbour yesterday (5th July 2017) for a busy four-day visit with its captain pledging to “strengthen close bonds”between ship and town.

The Royal Navy minehunter moored at Power Station Wharf and the commanding officer and ship's company were soon meeting the local community.

One of the first ports of call on dry land was a reception hosted by Adur District Council Vice-Chairman Joss Loader at the Shoreham Centre.

Other events on the schedule include conducting pre-arranged tours of the ship, hosting an on-board lunch and evening reception for local guests and attending an evening organised by the Shoreham Royal British Legion.

Lieutenant Commander Ben Evans, who took command of the ship in March, said:

“HMS Shoreham is very much looking forward to strengthening the close bonds of friendship and mutual respect which exist between the district and the ship.

“The town has a long history as a seafaring port and a long history with the Royal Navy.”

Adur District Council awarded the ship the Freedom of Shoreham in 2011 after an association going back centuries. The original HMS Shoreham was built in the town and launched in 1694.

The current 600 tonne ship, the fifth to bear the HMS Shoreham name, was launched in 2001 and has a crew of 34. She will leave port on Sunday 9th July.

Photos: HMS Shoreham arrives in the town

Photo: Commanding Officer Ben Evans

Photo (left to right): 
- Paul Brewer, Adur & Worthing Councils' Director of Digital and Resources 
- Ben Evans, HMS Shoreham Commanding Officer 
- Joss Loader, Adur District Council Vice-Chairman, and 
- Commander Nicholas Chatwin, Naval Liaison Officer

Worthing proves it's "Right Now" as spectacular artwork is unveiled

Right Now. That is the dramatic slogan today revealed within Worthing seafront’s striking new art installation.

After a week of working through pouring rain, raging wind and scorching sun, artists have finally finished the Grafton car park installation, thought to be the UK’s largest ever outdoor artwork.

And the message is clear Worthing is Right Now. The slogan is an anagram of the town name and the team behind the scheme wanted to send out a message that Worthing is moving forward.

Backed by Worthing Borough Council the ambitious project is the brainchild of local firm ECE Architecture and award-winning agency Creative Forager, who were behind two previous groundbreaking works of art on Worthing beach.

In 2015 Mirrored Beach Hut and Doorways last year earned rave reviews.

Right Now has been earning similar plaudits from passers-by and posters on social media. The lettering is not immediately apparent but can be glimpsed through the brightly colour picture postcard colours used to reflect traditional seaside items such as deckchairs, sticks of rock and buckets and spades.

Worthing Borough Council’s executive member for regeneration, Cllr Kevin Jenkins said: “I loved the idea and I’m impressed with the finished art.

“We wanted to show that this town is moving forward. We have our problems like every seaside town but if you look closely there is an incredible amount of progress and huge ambition.

“I agree with the message.  Our time is now.”

ECE Architecture’s managing director Stuart Eatock said: “We have been working on ideas to engage people with architecture and creativity for three years. Right Now is about re-imagining a car park as a canvas, creating a new landmark for Worthing.

“We want to thank the council for their amazing support, from the most senior levels backing the concept to the enthusiasm and support of the site team during installation.

“This is a site that the council would like to regenerate. In the meantime, let's celebrate it and use it creatively. We hope this is just the start for Grafton."

Mark Sephton, of Creative Forager said: “The image is inspired by the bright and bold colours and shapes of the sea front but on closer inspection spells out a positive phrase that the town can own. We're really Proud to have created  a supergraphic new landmark for Worthing.”

Artist Rick Also, who used 600 cans of spray paint in the work, added: “It was a really interesting challenge to create a piece of art at such a large scale, not only of how to cover such a big area and creating a design that worked around the window areas, but also to come up with a design that had impact from a distance and had a connection to the area.”

Right Now cost £14,000, jointly funded by the borough council and ECE, and is currently planned to be in situ until the end of September.

Grafton car park is listed for development by Worthing Borough Council with a mixture of homes, restaurants and retail and public space improvements favoured.

Ten Right Now projects that prove Worthing is on the up.

Right Now - Plans for two new beachside restaurants underway.

Right Now - New Discover Worthing Visitor website launched

Right Now - Windsor Lawns Refurbishment nears completion with additional gym equipment.

Right Now - Worthing status as Kite Surf centre on South Coast strengthens as town now home to two British Kite Surfing Accredited schools

Right Now - Worthing beach awarded  Keep Britain Tidy Seaside Award 2017

Right Now - Worthing Theatres’ smash-hit Summer of Circus programme of events draws big audiences

Right Now - Work begins on new £45m homes plan for Aquarena site.

Right Now -  Major £850,000 project to improve Brooklands Pleasure Park about to get under way.

Right Now - Worthing launches Donkey Bikes, the county's first pay-and-go hire bike scheme

Right Now - Worthing’s spectacular Highdown Gardens wins public support for Lottery bid

And a bonus Right Now - Worthing now has one of the largest, most spectacular outdoor artwork in the UK.

Leader Welcomes 600 Homes Plan for Lancing

The leader of Adur District Council has today welcomed the announcement of a deal with CALA Homes to build 600 new houses at New Monks Farm.

The 600 form a large part of the council’s new housing provision in its emerging Local Plan and helps the authority meet its government target for house building.

New Marks Farm Development Ltd, a subsidiary of Brighton and Hove Albion football club, has entered into a contract with CALA Homes (South East) Ltd for the development on the Lancing site.

A total of 180 (30 per cent) will be designated affordable.

Adur leader Cllr Neil Parkin said:” I am very pleased this contract has been signed as it will provide much-needed new homes in the area.

“I am also very pleased that CALA Homes has been chosen as the company has a strong reputation for building quality homes.

Our Stories; Your Councils

Ten people who sum up the innovative and varied work of Adur & Worthing Councils will share their stories in a bid to inform the public about what they do.

As part of a pioneering new move, the team of staff will give weekly updates on the Councils' main social media platforms and website, giving an insight into the daily life of a public servant.

From managing a host of cultural venues to dealing with the street community or helping solve residents' problems, every aspect of the local authorities will be covered by the group.

The aim is to give the public a chance to hear first hand the day-to-day challenges faced by those delivering a range of services across Adur and Worthing and to help grow understanding of the roles and functions of Councils.

Each of the ten will regularly write posts which will appear on the Adur & Worthing Councils website and be publicised on the Councils' social media sites.

Mike Gilson, the Councils' Head of Communications, said: "We want to show the human face of the Councils to help explain to citizens what we do.

“The breadth and depth of what we do often goes unrecognised. I think we picked a brilliant group to help tell our stories."

The full list is as follows:

·         Amanda O'Reilly, Head of Culture

·         Paul Willis, Waste Strategy Manager

·         Tammy Waine, Families and Wellbeing Officer

·         Graham Cherrett, Senior Foreshore Inspector

·         Anthony Read, Community Park Ranger

·         Matt Orton, Customer Contact Centre Officer

·         Judy Fox, Visitor Experience and Marketing Officer

·         Gary Prescod, Head Gardener at Highdown Gardens

·         Jo Clarke, Communities and Third Sector Lead

·         Sophie Whitehouse, Lead for Early Help and Wellbeing.

Photo: Eight of the Adur & Worthing Councils team who will be blogging about their roles, from left, Senior Foreshore Inspector Graham Cherrett, Visitor Experience and Marketing Officer Judy Fox, Customer Contact Centre Officer Matt Orton, Communities and Third Sector Lead Jo Clarke, Waste Strategy Manager Paul Willis, Lead for Early Help and Wellbeing Sophie Whitehouse, Head Gardener at Highdown Gardens Gary Prescod, and Families and Wellbeing Officer Tammy Waine

GRANTS can be a low risk form of finance

What are grants? A grant is an investment in your business, but unlike a traditional investment, a grant does not need to be re paid. Grants are often viewed as: cash in kind, a subsidy, or even a gift in kind.

They are ‘opportunistic’ but may not fund certain types of projects, types or stages of business, but if you are eligible to apply, it is free money. 

Most grants are matched funded, meaning the business is also required to contribute to the overall cost of the project.

Publicly funded schemes are designed to encourage new and growing businesses. To stimulate growth and ultimately create jobs. To help achieve this the government makes available a portion of money to encourage enterprise through business grants.  

Reasons to apply for a business grant. Access to finance is important for growth and productivity. Grants will ease cash flow pressures and investment helps achieve a sustainable business.

Often grants will unleash projects your business may not otherwise afford. Unleashing a new project can help achieve growth or generate new revenue streams. Grants contribute to expansion plans - boost innovation, which in turn helps your business grow. Grants make your investment and your working capital go further. 

What sort of grants are available? Small business enabler grants tend to invest in projects like: web design, marketing materials, training & specialist consultancy support and are easy to apply for.

The Adur and Worthing Small Business Grant is still available, (at time of going press) but apply soon, as the demand is high. The grant offers a maximum matched funded contribution of £2,500, available to local micro businesses (of up to 10 employees). For example, if you want to purchase equipment that costs £1,500, you can apply for £750 from the grant fund and source the additional £750 needed from your own funds. You must be able to demonstrate how the project will impact growth, help generate revenue or improve productivity or efficiencies. 

Larger grant contributions of £10k plus, impose stricter criteria. They are often for capital Investment projects, such as: New equipment, premises & transport. The funder will ask for supporting evidence how the investment will impact growth and new employment opportunities.

There is a substantial grant designed for rural businesses wanting to diversify or make a capital investment. Available to rural businesses who trade mostly across the South Downs, from £2,500 to £75,000. This grant is a 40% matched funded contribution.

Where do I go to source a grant for my business? Business Navigator is a government funded business support service that is free and impartial for businesses to use. To find out more, call your Business Support Navigator, Ryan Davies: 0800 977 4146 E: Info@c2cbusiness.org.uk or search our web site. www.c2cbusiness.org.uk