Worthing Borough Council Agrees Council Tax Rise

Councillors have approved Worthing Borough Council’s 2025/26 budget and a council tax rise of 2.99% - the equivalent of 15 pence per week extra for the average Band D home. The Council announced that it had been granted exceptional financial support (EFS), which will help the council manage the challenges it faces and work towards a more sustainable financial position.

The council is continuing to face pressures from a reduction in grant funding and record numbers of local Worthing residents facing homelessness coming to the council for help, as well as people needing supported accommodation who have been placed in Worthing by other authorities.

However, it says it remains committed to its priorities and continues to make significant progress towards achieving them.

Among new projects planned, new facilities will be developed at West Durrington and Hill Barn Recreation Ground, working with residents to shape the plans. Work will also begin this year on a “transformative” project at Homefield Park to update the facilities there.

Community Infrastructure Levy funds from developers will be invested to help local community projects to grow and the council will light the beacon in support of celebrations for the 80th anniversary of VE Day in May.

Later this year the council say they will begin work with the community to create a blueprint to safeguard the pier, the lido and other key heritage sites along the coastline, to ensure future generations can continue to enjoy these assets for the next 25 years and beyond.

Cllr Sophie Cox, the leader of Worthing Borough Council, said: “We know that our residents are still being hit hard with the cost of living and we are determined to put our residents first by protecting essential services, investing in our communities and delivering innovative and sustainable solutions to the challenges we face.

“Despite the financial pressures we are continuing to see, we are making progress in regenerating our town centre, building more affordable homes and leading the way on environmental projects that will secure a greener future for us all."