The Councils received a request for the matter to be referred to JOSC in June this year. (names and incorrect information have been removed from this press release, Inside Publications apologises for releasing incorrect information to all those concerned).

After considering whether to refer the matter back to the decision makers for reconsideration or to Full Council meetings of both Councils, members of the committee voted to take no further action.

The agreement involves SDR Group managing the Windsor House building with up to 44 local homeless residents staying there in individual rooms while long-term accommodation is found for them.

Adur & Worthing Councils have a statutory duty under the Homeless Reduction Act  to find somewhere for homeless residents to stay. 

The Councils are currently supporting more than 250 single people in temporary accommodation, but a lack of such property in the area means many of those residents are having to be put up in B&Bs, sometimes as much as £90-£190 per person per night. The Councils are currently also having to accommodate 62% of people from Worthing that require accommodation out of the area, with the figure rising to 91% for Adur residents.  

The Councils estimate that the arrangement with SDR Group, which is still subject to planning permission, could reduce their bill for temporary accommodation over the next 10 years by £2.5m.