Decision details

Before the Committee was a report by the Chief Executive copies of which had been circulated to all Members and a copy of which is attached to the signed copy of these minutes as Item 10.

The report before members outlined the strategic approach to implementing the economic principles which were first developed by Worthing Borough Council and then developed through the new financial strategy which supported both Councils.

It informed the Councils’ Members of funding of £150,000.00 for each authority, from the Pooled Business Rates (PBR), distributed by West Sussex County Council. This funding was ring-fenced for economic/regeneration projects. The report signalled the rationale for the economic approach outlined within and how it complimented the Adur and Worthing business support programme.

The report also outlined the preparatory work being done to explore the opportunities presented by devolution and the key principles which Adur and Worthing would be advocating for, as part of the process of implementation.

Decision:

1)    That the Business Support Programme and wider economic ambitions were supported by the projects be noted;

2)    The creation of a budget of £300,000.00 across Adur District Council and Worthing Borough Council for the specific purposes as outlined in section 4 of this report be noted;

3)    That authority be delegated to the Assistant Director for Place & Economy, in consultation with the Executive Member for Regeneration (Worthing) and Executive Member for Regeneration & Strategic Planning (Adur), the authority to approve and award associated contracts, subject to compliant procurement procedures and ensuring that the overall programme is within the authorised budget

4)    That authority be delegated to the Assistant Director for Place & Economy to approve an engagement plan targeting businesses, which would complement emerging devolution opportunities.

Call In: The call-in deadline for decisions will be 5.00pm on 18 March 2025