Thriving together: shaping the future of the places we call home

How you can get involved

You'll be able to take part online and in person - sharing ideas, connecting with others, and developing solutions to the challenges we face. Your input will help shape our proposals on devolution, which we'll submit to the government in September. This isn't just about informing devolution, it will also guide how we support our communities and work with partners and funders to take forward solutions to the ideas developed.

We're developing digital and in-person tools to support these conversations - tools that will also be used for other important work, like shaping Worthing's seafront, planning Adur's future, and strengthening engagement in our neighbourhoods. We'll support groups using creative methods to involve people to make sure our participation is inclusive. 

Supporting stronger communities

Beyond devolution, this approach to engagement will help people and partners connect, collaborate, and bring ideas to life. We're investing in resources - including digital tools and training - to support communities in tackling shared challenges and finding solutions together into the future.

By building this together, we're staying true to our core principles:

• Participative: Bringing people together to shape the future in creative ways.
• Adaptive: Trying new ways to make participation easier, creative and more accessible.
• Resilient: Creating a lasting legacy as we move towards a new form of local government.

We believe the best ideas come from working together. This programme is about bringing people into the conversation - whether online or in person - so that everyone has a voice in shaping the future of Adur and Worthing. The support we are building will leave a lasting legacy, helping communities and organisations collaborate more effectively for years to come.

Cllr Jeremy Gardner, leader of Adur District Council, said:

"Our communities are at the heart of everything we do, and this is a real opportunity for local people, businesses, and organisations to shape the future of our district. By working together, we can create a thriving, inclusive, and sustainable place that reflects the unique strengths of our area. Devolution must be rooted in what matters most to our residents, and we are committed to ensuring their voices are heard and acted upon."

Cllr Sophie Cox, leader of Worthing Borough Council, said:

"This is an exciting moment for Worthing. We want a future that works for everyone, where people feel connected to their communities and have a say in shaping them. Whether it's developing our seafront, strengthening our local economy, or creating opportunities for all, we are committed to an approach that puts people first. We encourage everyone to take part and help shape the place we all call home. It's also important that we have a variety of different ways that people can engage and contribute and I look forward to seeing the next steps very soon."

Next steps

We're making it easy for everyone to get involved. Watch this space as we launch a programme of participation for you to get involved in and have your say! In the meantime, we will be holding sessions with our voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations and business partners in March.

The future of our places in Adur (Shoreham-by-Sea, Southwick, Fishersgate, Lancing and Sompting) and Worthing (Broadwater, Durrington, Findon Valley, Goring, Offington, Salvington, Tarring and Worthing town centre) starts with us - all of us.

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