Adur's budget to help its communities to thrive
Released: Friday, 02 February 2024
Prudent planning and considered decision-making means Adur District Council is on track to end the year under budget - leaving extra funds available to use supporting the community.
Not only have we resolved a forecast £960,000 shortfall in our budget for 2024/25, we now expect to have an additional £300,000 to enable us to invest in services because of savings from new, innovative ways of working.
The council's cabinet last night (1st February 2024) backed plans to increase council tax by a below-inflation 2.99% for the next financial year. This is the equivalent of less than 19p per week extra for someone living in the average Band D home.
We are not immune from the continued impact of inflation on everyday life. Not only has the cost of our services increased but there has been increasing demand for them because the community has needed them more than ever.
Despite this, we have been able to find the resources to support those most in need across Sompting, Lancing, Shoreham, Southwick and Fishersgate.
That will continue next year, with increased funding for the housing service to help residents needing to be found somewhere to live.
There will also be more investment in economic development to encourage business growth and regeneration across the district.
We will improve facilities for residents, including creating a new sports pavilion for Buckingham Park in Shoreham, revitalising the Shadwells Road play area in Lancing and helping redevelop Southwick FC's old ground for use by the community.
We've also set aside £100,000 to improve other park buildings and £50,000 to spend on new play area equipment.
More than £10m will be spent improving council homes managed by Adur Homes, including replacing double-glazed windows, doors, repairing roofs and walls and fitting new kitchens and bathrooms for its tenants.
We will also continue to work hard on pioneering projects to restore the Adur Valley estuary and our coastline into havens for wildlife and biodiversity while protecting the greenbelt.
Cllr Neil Parkin, the leader of Adur District Council, said:
“Thanks to our careful, well thought-out approach, we have the funds to help our communities to thrive, not just survive.
“Being innovative in the way we work with and for our communities will allow us to focus our resources where our residents most want and need them, all at a cost of less than 19 pence a week extra for the average household.”
The draft budget agreed by the cabinet will now be considered for approval at Adur's Full Council at its meeting at The Shoreham Centre at 7pm on 22nd February 2024.
See:
(PR24-017)
Page last updated: 16 April 2024