Business News
March 2nd, 2022Cut in short-term parking fees to lure shoppers back to town centre
Worthing is to cut some of its short-term car parking charges to attract shoppers back to the town centre.Visitors will benefit from a reduction in parking fees for the second hour of their stay at Worthing Borough Council’s three multi-storey car parks from March 28.
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February 25th, 2022
Pay rises for refuse, recycling and cleansing staff after review
A review of staff pay, terms and conditions and working environments will lead to more money for refuse, recycling and cleansing staff.Adur & Worthing Councils have been looking at the issue since October, working with staff and UNISON to ensure our teams get a fair deal.
The first phase of that review has now been completed. Although base pay was already comparable to that of other local authorities, the review recommends that every one of the jobs looked at should be moved up a grade on the Councils’ pay band scale or paid a market supplement of £2,000 a year for at least two years. The changes reflect additional responsibilities, the need for more flexible working, and in the case of market supplements the recruitment challenges for specialist roles.
Each member of staff who is being regraded will move to their new band, which includes a pay rise, on 2 March. They will then get further pay rises on 1 September this year and then on 1 April 2023 - worth a total of at least 6%.
These increases are separate to a cost-of-living salary increase which is currently being negotiated nationally for council staff.
Of the 109 posts in the Councils’ refuse, recycling and cleansing department that have been reviewed, 65 will be moved up a grade and a further 40 will get an annual market supplement of £2,000 until at least October 2023 - the equivalent of a pay rise of at least 8.1%. Four more will get both an annual market supplement of £2,000 until at least October 2023 and be moved up a grade.
An Adur & Worthing Councils’ spokesperson said: “We’re grateful to our staff and to UNISON, the recognised union, for helping us to carry out this review, which will lead to substantial pay rises for our frontline teams over the next year.
“We hope they and the unions will continue to share their ideas for how we can make the service better both for them and residents.”
Adur & Worthing Councils’ review is continuing, including work to rebalance refuse and recycling rounds to deal with the demands of new housing. Staff are being offered the opportunity to gain an HGV driving qualification while there will also continue to be discussions about ways to improve the working environment
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February 10th, 2022
Key Worthing seafront site up for grabs this summer
A key section of Worthing’s seafront is available for rent as a tourism magnet again this summer.Since 2019, the Worthing Observation Wheel (WOW) has stood on Marine Parade between Worthing Seafront Beacon and the Coastal Office at the bottom of Montague Place during the summer months.
More than 50,000 people have taken a trip on the attraction in that time, generating funds for Worthing Borough Council to invest in public services and encouraging visitors to the town.
Now the Council is inviting entertainment businesses to bid for the chance to get in on the action by taking over the site from 1 April.
It could be used as the home for a giant wheel again, a similar style of attraction or something entirely different - it’s up to operators to come forward with ideas for what they’d like to do on the site.
Worthing Borough Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, Cllr Nicky Waight, said: “The observation wheel has been an eye-catching attraction for the town centre over the last three years. It’s generated income for the Council as well as bringing more feet to the street, helping our many independent shops and businesses to survive and thrive during the pandemic.
“Marine Parade had the WOW factor again last summer and we’re excited to see who might be interested in taking over the site to help draw in the crowds this year.”
Operators interested in taking over the site should visit the Council’s dedicated webpage for more information.
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February 9th, 2022
Councils call on communities to celebrate Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
Adur & Worthing Councils have earmarked nearly £50,000 to help the community and local groups celebrate The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in style.Her Majesty will be the first British monarch to reach this milestone, having acceded to the throne at the age of 25 on 6 February 1952, 70 years ago. To recognise the landmark, the Councils are planning a series of events across the region to run in tandem with those being held nationally.
Funding will come out of reserves with £20,000 from Adur District Council and £28,500 from Worthing Borough Council to pay for the community-based festivities that culminate in a four-day bank holiday from 2-5 June.
Cllr Emma Evans, Adur District Council's Executive Member for the Environment, said: “The Jubilee will provide many opportunities for communities, local groups and schools to come together and share bonds, which is particularly important after the difficulties we have all endured during the last two years of the pandemic.
“Events such as street parties will provide neighbours with the opportunity to both recognise and build new friendships.”
Cllr Nicky Waight, Worthing Borough Council's Executive Member for Regeneration, added: “We are very excited about the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations and all the events that are planned around it.
“As well as bringing people together, the events will stimulate and support the visitor economy in both Adur and Worthing as we work in partnership with business groups, not to mention some of the projects based around green spaces that can enhance mental and physical wellbeing.”
The Councils’ planned events kick off on 11 March when civic heads from Adur and Worthing will plant an Old English Oak Tree to commemorate the event, with the likely sites being Beach House Park in Worthing and Buckingham Park in Shoreham.
As part of the Queen’s Green Canopy - a nationwide initiative to invite people, community groups and schools to plant trees and establish new woodland areas to enhance local biodiversity - new trees will be planted in Buckingham Park and Worthing’s Brooklands Park.
The Seafront Gallery, off Marine Parade in Worthing, is also set to commission a series of Platinum Jubilee-themed displays over the summer in the lead-up to The Queen’s official birthday on 2 June.
To honour Her Majesty’s birthday there are plans to host a dawn torch-lighting event at Highdown Gardens that could be linked to a lighting of the Beacon later.
There will also be a Jubilee concert and light show in Worthing’s Steyne Gardens with music from the past 70 years of The Queen’s reign on Friday 3 June, while the following day will be a second evening of film and music, including a Jubilee finale.
The final day of the celebrations, on Sunday 5 June, will feature The Big Lunch campaign, which aims to give communities the opportunity to come together to host street parties and celebrate. The Community Street Party application process is open until 15 April.
There are also celebratory events on Worthing promenade and at Adur Recreation Ground, as well as the Shoreham Vintage Fair. The Councils will hang Jubilee bunting and fly the Union flag during the celebrations.
For more information on how to get involved visit https://www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/queens-platinum-jubilee/.
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