Take responsibility for Worthing's local services

However, I thought it was such an important issue that I had to offer my opinion.

I live with my wife in a Band A property in the Heene District. We are both hard-working professionals and enjoy living in Worthing.

I believe that the past five years of council tax freezes was a positive measure for everyone but not necessarily a good thing for the local economy. It would have made sense for a gradual increase year by year and not a sudden steep rise, like we are seeing this year.

The biggest and most expensive properties will see the worst rise and these homeowners are not necessarily the most well off!

The town needs to focus on what needs the most attention.

We need to be attracting some more employers to the town to increase the wages locally. This in turn will encourage families to choose Worthing to live and that will boost the local economy. We desperately need a more balanced population to prosper.

We need to breathe more life into our schools and invest in the best teachers. They will bring inspiration to our pupils, youth and in turn will lay our foundations for a strong future.

It is my view that councillors need to carefully review planning applications of firms wanting to create large retirement apartment blocks and instead encourage more family housing. I appreciate the dedication and hard work of our councillors and I must acknowledge that this is a thankless task.

The Worthing Herald revealed that the council want to create a £5 charge for the poorest residents who currently pay no council tax. I believe this is a bold, firm decision that should be encouraged. Everyone that lives in the town, should contribute. We all need to ALL take responsibility for our local services to enable them to improve...

Daniel De Conceicao Silva

Scheme Co-ordinator for Heene

Worthing Neighbourhood Watch Association

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