Council discusses growth plan

Adur and Worthing councils chief executive Alex Bailey and director for the economy Scott Marshall were on hand to answer questions of Worthing and Adur Chamber of Commerce members at the Denton Lounge on Worthing seafront last Friday.

They presented the councils’ Surf’s Up plan, which details a series of commitments to deliver key projects in the area and improve its service.

Chamber chief executive Tina Tilley said the talk was well received.

She said: “The Denton Lounge was a superb venue to see the sunrise over the pier in a lovely setting.

“It set the scene for a motivational talk from the chief executive and director for the economy on the Surf’s Up programme and how businesses can help to support this strong move to regenerate the cultural offer in the local area.”

Mrs Tilley said the talk was well received by the businesses but believed action was long overdue.

“The room was behind the ideas but now we need to see some of these things happening. Some action is long overdue.”

The Surf’s Up report sets out a series of ambitious plans for the next two years.

From setting time scales for progressing schemes at Worthing’s Teville Gate and the Adur Civic Centre, to investigating ultrafast broadband, the report recognises ‘now is the time for ambition’.

A commitment to regenerate 15 key sites across Adur and Worthing could create 5,000 jobs and 136,000 square metres of business space.

The report, which follows on from the earlier Catching the Wave plan, was endorsed by the councils’ Joint Strategic Committee in December, with six monthly reports to be sent to councillors on its progress.

For more information, visit the council website at www.adur-worthing.gov.uk or www.worthingandadurchamber.co.uk for more about the chamber.