This week, the Adur Council held three meetings: the Adur Licensing Committee on Monday, 10 June 2024, the Joint Strategic Sub-Committee (Worthing) on Tuesday, 11 June 2024, and the Joint Strategic Sub-Committee (Adur) on Thursday, 13 June 2024.

Key Points from the Joint Strategic Sub-Committee (Worthing)

Colonnade House Sustainability and Accessibility Improvements

One of the most significant discussions during the Joint Strategic Sub-Committee (Worthing) meeting was the approval of a project to deliver sustainability and accessibility improvements at Colonnade House. This project is supported by a significant grant from Arts Council England.

The council agreed to take on the project management and delivery responsibility for these improvements, which include various sustainability measures to reduce the building's carbon footprint and enhance accessibility. The total project cost is £508,000, with £46,000 coming from a previously acquired government grant.

Councillor Rita Garner, Cabinet Lead for Culture, Leisure and Well-being, expressed her gratitude:

The achievement of this grant not only makes these improvements possible but signals Arts Council England's recognition of our role along the Sussex coast.

This project aligns with the council's broader goals of fostering vibrant and sustainable communities and enhancing local cultural assets.

Business Support Program

Another key topic was the council's plans to support businesses in Worthing for the 2024-25 period. The council, in partnership with Adur District, has launched a business support program that will run until December 2025. This program includes consultancy support in areas such as start-up support, innovation, leadership and management, and sustainability. The support will be delivered by FreedomWorks, University of Brighton, and Clean Growth UK.

The program also includes grants aligned with these themes, with a total value of £500,000 funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Section 106 contributions¹.

Other Meetings

Adur Licensing Committee

The Adur Licensing Committee meeting scheduled for Monday, 10 June 2024, was cancelled.

Joint Strategic Sub-Committee (Adur)

The Joint Strategic Sub-Committee (Adur) met on Thursday, 13 June 2024. Unfortunately, no video broadcast of this meeting was available, so we cannot provide a detailed summary of the discussions and decisions made.

Implications and Patterns

The discussions at the Joint Strategic Sub-Committee (Worthing) highlight the council's ongoing commitment to sustainability, accessibility, and business support. The approval of the Colonnade House improvements project is a significant step towards enhancing local cultural assets and reducing the carbon footprint of council properties. This aligns with the council's broader goals of fostering vibrant and sustainable communities.

The launch of the business support program demonstrates the council's dedication to supporting local businesses and fostering economic growth. By providing consultancy support and grants, the council aims to help businesses innovate, grow, and contribute to the local economy.

Stay tuned for next week's update.

Adur Council Weekly Update: 8 June 2024

This week, the Adur Council held two meetings: the Adur Planning Committee on Monday, 3 June 2024, and the Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee on Thursday, 6 June 2024.

Key Points from the Adur Planning Committee

Mariners Point Flood Defenses

The meeting began with a public question from Steve Stefton of the Mariners Point Resident Association, highlighting ongoing issues with inadequate flood defenses. Stefton requested a site meeting with councillors, residents, and the Environment Agency to address these concerns. He emphasized the urgency, citing recent preventable flooding incidents and the lack of a proper flood evacuation plan.

Stefton stated:

The flood defense wall at Surrey Hard is too low, especially taking account of global warming, and the river substantially overtopped the Surrey Hard defense wall and its associated gaps in April. — Steve Stefton

The committee agreed to pass the concerns to the relevant officers and the Environment Agency for further action.

Houseboat Planning Application

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the retrospective planning application for a houseboat at River Close. The applicant withdrew the application, believing planning permission was not required. However, the committee still had to consider enforcement action due to the houseboat's impact on the local area.

Gary Peck, a planning officer, explained:

In effect, the committee still would need to go through the same process of considering whether the houseboat as constructed is acceptable, and if it is not, then it would follow that we'd be looking at enforcement action. — Gary Peck

The committee decided to issue an enforcement notice to remove the unauthorized development, citing its overbearing nature and non-compliance with the council's houseboat guidance.

Southwick Square Bank Conversion

The committee also approved the external alterations to a former bank in Southwick Square, which will be converted into a café. This decision is expected to revitalize the area, providing a new social space for residents and visitors.

Key Points from the Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee

Meeting Transcript Unavailable

Unfortunately, the transcript for the Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee meeting held on Thursday, 6 June 2024, is not yet available. As soon as it is, we will provide a detailed summary of the discussions and decisions made.

Implications and Patterns

The discussions at the Adur Planning Committee highlight ongoing issues with flood defenses and the challenges of managing developments along the riverbank. The decision to enforce the removal of the unauthorized houseboat development underscores the council's commitment to maintaining the character and safety of the area.

The approval of the Southwick Square bank conversion into a café is a positive step towards enhancing local amenities and supporting community engagement. This aligns with the council's broader goals of fostering vibrant and sustainable communities.

Stay tuned for next week's update.

Adur Council Weekly Update: 1 June 2024

This week, the Adur Council held one meeting: the Joint Audit and Governance Committee on Tuesday, 28 May 2024.

Key Points from the Joint Audit and Governance Committee

Statement of Accounts 2022-23

The committee discussed the status of the 2022-23 accounts and the external audit position. Emma Thomas, an officer, provided an update on the national backlog of external audits due to the pandemic, resourcing issues, and increased audit regulation requirements. This backlog has led to delays in completing audits for many councils, including Adur and Worthing.

Emma Thomas explained:

Initially there will be a reset which means that any statements up to the 2022-23 year that are not completed, if the audit is not completed by the 30th September 2024 they will not be fully completed and the audits will get a disclaimed opinion. — Emma Thomas

This means that if the audits are not completed by the deadline, they will receive a disclaimed opinion, which could impact the council's financial standing and borrowing capabilities.

Audit Planning Reports for 2023-24

Kevin Souter and Afewe Dardini from Ernst & Young presented the audit planning reports for the 2023-24 financial year. They highlighted several audit risks, including the risk of management override and the valuation of land and buildings. The audit fees for 2023-24 have significantly increased due to new audit standards and additional work required.

Afewe Dardini noted:

Our audit risks are presented on page 22 to 23 and 78 to 79 respectively. We have similar audit risks to the last year we audited.

The committee also discussed the impact of internal audits on the external audit process and the need for better coordination between the two.

Internal Audit Annual Reports

Sam Lowe from Mazars presented the internal audit annual reports. The reports highlighted several areas where internal controls need improvement, including discretionary housing payments and plan maintenance. The committee expressed concerns about the implementation of audit recommendations, with 62 recommendations still not implemented.

Sam Lowe stated:

It's a question of the management updates and particularly, I suppose, beyond that the supporting evidence to allow us to do additional testing to verify that update.

The committee has requested a detailed breakdown of these recommendations and the reasons for delays in implementation.

Annual Governance Statements

The committee reviewed and approved the annual governance statements for 2023-24. These statements outline the council's governance arrangements and assess their adequacy. The committee noted the importance of keeping policies and procedures up to date, particularly in light of new procurement regulations coming into force in October 2024.

Parish Council Appointments

The committee approved the nominations from Lansing Parish Council and Sompting Parish Council for their representatives to be appointed to the Joint Audit and Governance Committee. Councillor Liz Hayward from Lansing and Councillor Tim Hicks from Sompting will serve as co-opted members for 2024-25.

Code of Conduct Complaints

The monitoring officer reported a decrease in code of conduct complaints over the past year, with only five complaints received. This improvement is attributed to regular training and better understanding of the code of conduct among councillors.

The committee's discussions this week highlight the ongoing challenges in managing audit processes and maintaining robust governance frameworks. The focus on addressing audit backlogs and improving internal controls will be crucial in ensuring the council's financial health and accountability.

Stay tuned for next week's update.