Community help is welcomed in light of council cutbacks

Councillors at the joint strategic committee of Adur and Worthing councils on Thursday praised recent projects which saw residents gather to plant barren-looking flowerbeds.

As they heard about budget cuts of at least 10 per cent following the government spending review, such community projects were praised for providing services the council were forced to cut.

Councillor Tom Wye said: “We are going to have to find new ways of doing things.

“I spent one Sunday doing just that, helping planting plants. The community are going to have to take charge of some of the work.”

Debate about flowerbeds was sparked by a question from newly-announced UKIP member Charles James.

He highlighted concern about cuts to the grounds maintenance budget, and compared flowers in one of Worthing’s French twin towns to the ‘barren’ flowerbeds he saw in the town.

He said: “On a recent trip to France, I noticed their wonderful flowerbeds. I am very concerned we have barren flowerbeds, lawns and verges.

“We are a seaside town and try to attract visitors for local businesses and I like to see flowers and well-kept open spaces. How are the budget cuts going to affect that?”

For the full story, see the Worthing Herald, out Thursday, July 11.