URL: https://democracy.adur-worthing.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1447

Decision Maker: Joint Strategic Committee

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose:

Content: Before the Committee was a report by the Chief Executive, copies of which had been circulated to all Members and a copy of which is attached to the signed copy of these minutes as Item 9.   The Fair, Green & Local Plan had guided the work of the councils effectively over the previous year, with project delivery a key focus. Successes were outlined in the report to the Committee, It was important to note that improved governance and project management had strengthened the councils’ ability to deliver.   Over the preceding year, both councils had been engaged in the local government reorganisation process, working with other West Sussex local authorities. The practical programme of transition work to the new unitary councils was expected to intensify following the decision by the Secretary of State regarding unitary boundaries expected in October 2026. The Fair, Green & Local LGR mission was in place to help coordinate the councils’ work in this area.   The councils had taken a proactive approach to the opportunities of LGR. A cross-party working group was convened over a number of months to consider the future of neighbourhood governance, reporting to Full Councils in March 2026. Broader engagement was also undertaken with community leaders through the ‘Thriving Together’ mission, bringing out a set of “People’s Priorities”, and creating a valuable platform for future developments.   These people’s priorities had shaped Fair, Green & Local, and the report set out the intention of both councils to focus further on the issues that matter most to our communities - moving ‘from talk to action’. The report recommended that the Thriving Together mission had evolved into ‘Pride in Place’, marrying participation with practical community action. The revised mission provided for a continuation of community participation work through the development of new inclusive engagement plans, while re-allocating neighbourhood team projects from other missions under Pride in Place.       Decision:   1.    That the revision of the Thriving Together mission to Pride in Place be approved   2.    That the proposed actions and re-allocations of projects to the revised mission block be approved.   3.    That the rapid development of the West Sussex Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) programme currently underway be noted, which is expected to require an increased level of local resourcing. This is expected to require a rebalancing of effort in the coming 18 months, and this will be set out in more detail at the next update in December 2026.   4.    That the significant progress with actions across the FGL delivery plan be noted, along with the additional steps taken to further strengthen programme governance and risk management.   5.    That the Corporate Plan be referred to Adur District and Worthing Borough Councils for Members to note and endorse the updates, including the evolution of Thriving Together into Pride and Place and the re-allocation of related actions to this newly named mission area.     Call In: The call-in deadline for decisions will be 5.00pm on 18 September 2026. Decisions for Council are not subject to call-in

Date of Decision: September 8, 2026