Additional money will be spent to improve parks and play areas across the borough to encourage people of all ages to lead more active lives and boost their health and wellbeing, in particular Brooklands Park and the town’s green gaps.

Wellbeing hubs to help residents to get and stay healthier will be supported by work to tackle food poverty in the borough. The council’s successful targeted Proactive scheme, which was launched during the pandemic, will be extended - focusing on identifying and providing practical or financial support to those households who are most in need of urgent support.

A large-scale bike and electric bike rental scheme to transform the way people travel around the town will continue to be rolled out, encouraging an increase in those willing to swap four wheels for two.

There will be investment in the delivery of major projects to regenerate rundown parts of the town centre and to refurbish the Buckingham Road and High Street car parks, as well as funding for repairs for Worthing Lido, the pier and its Southern Pavilion.

The cost of using multi-storey car parks will be cut to help shoppers visiting the town centre, while increased street-cleaning to tackle graffiti will make their stay more enjoyable.

Councillors agreed to set Worthing’s share of council tax at £252.36 for 2022/23 - a 2% rise on last year which equates to an extra 9p a week for a Band D household.

Cllr Kevin Jenkins, the Leader of Worthing Borough Council, said:

“Coming out of the pandemic, this budget has a strong focus on people, on the health of our residents and the health of our town. It helps those struggling across the borough, using local taxpayers’ money wisely, whilst remaining prudent with our limited reserves.

“For an extra 9p per week, someone living in a Band D household will see investment in our green spaces, our key infrastructure and across all our services for the community.” 

To view the budget papers and watch the meeting visit https://democracy.adur-worthing.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=158&MId=1625.