Adur's budget ensures a fairer and greener future for all
Released: Friday, 21 February 2025
Delivering projects that bring the community together and supporting those struggling with cost of living pressures, while introducing measures that help reduce carbon emissions will ensure a fairer, greener Adur for everyone.
We are continuing to face pressure from inflation and increasing demand for services, but a focus on careful financial management has enabled the delivery of a balanced budget as well as guaranteeing a range of important service improvements, delivery of community-based projects and support for some of the most vulnerable residents.
Councillors last night (20th February 2025) approved our 2025/26 budget and a Council Tax rise of 2.99% - the equivalent of less than 19 pence per week extra for the average Band D home.
We remain committed to supporting those most in need. Last year our Proactive team contacted hundreds of households to encourage them to claim Pension Credit and supported pensioners who were just missing out on eligibility for Winter Fuel Payments with free supermarket vouchers worth £200. With extra government funding secured, the Proactive service will continue its work in reaching the least well off.
Another 68 new council homes will be completed over the next year in Southwick and Lancing for Adur residents in need of somewhere to live, helping residents into permanent homes and allowing the council to spend less on more expensive short-term accommodation for them.
We are also continuing to improve facilities that bring communities together, including at Southwick Community Centre, and Eastbrook Manor in Fishersgate, as well as finalised plans for a new community football facility in Southwick that will support the health of children, young people and adults.
We will begin working with the community on the development of the Adur Local Plan, looking at how to best support the economy, provide much needed homes and defend and enhance the environment - making Adur an even better place to live.
Support for the Sussex Bay project and its partner groups to restore marine life on our coast and in the Adur estuary will continue. We will also make progress towards our 2030 carbon neutral target by rolling out electric waste collection trucks and using less polluting fuel.
We will continue to lobby for fairer funding for the area from the government. Adur receives less funding than nearby authorities to prevent people from becoming homeless despite the area experiencing a surge in residents needing help, so officers and councillors will lobby the government for extra financial support.
The budget also sets out how we will make services more sustainable by increasing some fees and charges, including planning advice and the collection of green waste, so that they are funded by those who use them. The increases have been calculated to ensure that they remain affordable for those who want and need to use them.
Cllr Jeremy Gardner, the leader of Adur District Council, said:
“Following the May 2024 election, we promised to use taxpayer's money wisely, ensuring services that are value for money for our residents.
“We have delivered this by transforming the way we work to provide the sustainable services and support our communities want and need. Over the next 12 months we will continue with our ambitious programme of investment that will help the district become fairer and greener for all.”
To read the budget report in full or listen back to the meeting, please see:
Photo: The Shoreham Centre
(PR25-012)
Page last updated: 21 February 2025