Adur District Council ‘determined to build back better’

Adur District Council is ‘determined to build back better’ was the message from leader Neil Parkin as the budget and council tax for 2021/22 was approved.
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During a meeting of the full council on Thursday (February 18), the council set a balanced budget and raised its portion of the council tax bill by just over £6 for Band D homes.

The 1.98 per cent rise means that, from April, Band D bills will be £311.40 for the year – an increase of £6.03.

Band C bills will rise by £5.36 from £271.44 to £276.80.

The Shoreham CentreThe Shoreham Centre
The Shoreham Centre
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This has, of course, been a horrible year for residents and the council alike and Mr Parkin lauded the efforts of staff and officers to keep things going and provide help to those in need during the pandemic.

Looking to the challenges ahead, he added: “We are determined to build back better, to develop and realise opportunities for economic development now and to ensure we build back greener and create economic development opportunities for the future.

“This should mean more investment, more jobs, more training, more opportunities to learn – essential for all our residents in what is likely to be troubled economic times.”

The budget includes grants to community groups and charities, upgrades to playgrounds and parks, and support for leisure facilities and town centre improvements.

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Nearly £20 million will be set aside to improve the council’s housing stock over the next three years.

Labour leader Lee Cowen added his own praise for staff, officers and the community, adding: “This pandemic has created a steep learning curve with many lessons.

“Perhaps the most important thing it’s taught us is that we have to be far more in touch with our communities than we’ve ever been before.”

He was not happy with the council tax rise, calling it a ‘regressive and unfair’ tax and asking why it was increased ‘over and above inflation’ year on year.

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He added: “Of all years, this was the year to freeze council tax when financial hardship and real poverty is growing.”

It was an idea Mr Parkin dismissed as ‘an election gimmick’.

Mr Cowen tabled two amendments to the budget – but both were voted down.

The first called for an audit and quality impact assessment of the district’s Houses in Multiple Occupation due to concerns over waste collection.

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The second called for a food waste collection to be introduced in the district.

The budget and council tax were agreed by 17 votes to five.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Parkin said: “We cannot escape the difficult truth that the pandemic has affected the council’s bottom line, which is why we have taken the difficult decision to increase the Adur portion of the council tax.

“This will help us continue to provide residents with more than 150 services, all delivered to a high level.

“We know that the next 12 months will continue to be challenging. But I’m confident if we continue to work together Adur will bounce back stronger from this pandemic.”