The meeting on 19 December 2024 will include the council's response to recommendations from several committees. This includes recommendations for the adoption of a new gambling policy and the regulation of businesses offering services like cosmetic piercing. The meeting will also provide the council with an update on the treasury management of the authority.

Joint Mid Year Treasury Management Review 2024/25

A report on the Joint Mid Year Treasury Management Review 2024/25 was to be provided to the council after the meeting of the Joint Strategic Committee on 10 December 2024.

Regulation of Cosmetic Piercing and Skin Colouring Businesses

A report of the Joint Audit & Governance Committee meeting on 19 November 2024 asked the council to consider adopting new byelaws regulating businesses offering acupuncture, tattooing, cosmetic piercing, electrolysis and semi-permanent skin colouring.

The byelaws would cover practices that involved needles.

The byelaws would need to be confirmed by the Secretary of State for Health¹ before coming into effect.

Proposal to continue the Council Tax Support Scheme for Adur District Council and Worthing Borough Council in respect of 2025/26

The council will consider whether to continue the Council Tax Support scheme in its current form for the 2025/26 financial year.

The report on the matter described the scheme's role in the council's response to poverty, saying:

The Scheme formed an important part of the Councils’ ambition to become the fairest coastal towns by supporting people who are living on the lowest incomes.

The report goes on to describe how this ambition is also supported by the council's Proactive programme.

It should be noted that whilst the Councils were both experiencing budgetary pressures, the scheme is one way in which the Councils are responding to the enduring impacts of poverty. The Proactive programme had been one response to this, focusing early help and support for residents experiencing vulnerabilities.

Gambling Act 2005 - Review of Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy

The council were asked to consider adopting a new gambling policy which had been the subject of consultation with stakeholders including MP Beccy Cooper.

The new policy contains a commitment to introduce a challenge 25 policy for gambling premises.

Responding to concerns about the lack of monitoring of online gambling, the report noted that the council's licensing department had nothing to do with online gambling at all, but that:

If new legislation was passed by the government and it contained any relevance to our policy regarding advertising of online gambling, the policy would be reviewed, amended accordingly and brought back to committee.

The meeting considered whether the phrase gambling is a recognised medical addiction should be included in the policy, opting instead to amend a different paragraph to include the phrase excessive gambling and addiction.

Grafton Multi-Storey Car Park - Structural Repairs

The council received an update on the structural repairs to the Grafton Multi-Storey Car Park.

Commerce Way Roof Covering

An update was provided on the roof covering at Commerce Way.

Temporary Accommodation Contract Award

The council noted the award of several contracts to provide temporary accommodation in Brighton, Bognor and Worthing.

Release of Worthing s106 funds to NHS

The council noted the release of funds to the NHS. Section 106 (S106) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 allows local authorities to enter into legally binding agreements with developers.

These agreements are often used to secure financial contributions from developers towards local infrastructure and services, such as affordable housing, schools, or healthcare facilities.