A budget that includes more council homes, progress towards net zero, support for those most challenged by the cost of living has been agreed by Adur District Council.

Council leader Jeremy Gardner said the coming year would see:

• Our Proactive team providing more advice to residents who are challenged by the cost of living; helping more people to take up Pension Credit for example. 
• The completion of 68 new council homes and  continued improving  maintenance and repair services for residents in existing council
• As we empty bins and collect recycling our lorries will use HVO fuel rather than diesel, reducing CO2 emissions and making a significant contribution to our carbon reduction target; moving towards net zero
• We will have our first electric waste collection vehicle as we start our move towards total electrification of the waste and cleansing fleet.  
• We will procure equipment needed to introduce food waste collections from homes in 2026.
• We  want the community to see the Adur Local Plan as their plan. The plan will provide the vision and blueprint for the future of our district. How do we balance the need for more homes with our environment and our need for jobs? It is a discussion vital in itself that also means the communities in our district will join a new council with a clear plan that they want to see enacted. 
• More markets in Southwick Square
• We are improving Southwick Community Centre and Eastbrook Manor in Fishersgate
• A new community asset; football  pitch, pavilion and programme to support the health and education of children, young people and adults in Southwick
• At last, there will be new play equipment at Shadwells Road, Lancing
• The  Sussex Bay project will work  to restore marine life on our coast and in the Adur estuary. A participation lead will now engage communities. 
• A feasibility study under the Adur River Restoration Scheme is looking at the future for Pad Farm and the potential creation of new salt marsh.
• Discussion with the community on improvements to Lancing village centre
• Once the matter of where a gate should go is settled we are determined to find agreement with our friends in the Sussex Yacht Club to allow the flood wall to be completed, after years of delay.
• Major changes are coming to local government and we want to ensure local people have a say in what they want to see in a new council for our area.

The budget will see a 2.99% increase on Adur’s council tax, an increase of 19p per week on the average council tax bill. This was agreed by the council with 20 votes for, six against. While independents and a Green councillor supported the Labour administration’s budget, Conservatives voted against although they presented no amendments or opposition to the budget.

The leader’s full budget speech is here

The council’s short report on the budget is here