1st February, 2010

It's Official: - Adur & Worthing Council's partnership is suffering a lack of momentum according to a recent Audit Commission report.

The Audit report which was not available for the scrutiny committee review was a late presentation at last week's joint meeting of the two councils' Governance and Audit committees and outlined the significant service delivery challenges.

The successful delivery of the integrated refuse and recycling services which first began back in 2002/3 by the then Lib Dem administration in Worthing was recognised as a good example of effective partnership working demonstrating improved service outcomes and reduced costs for residents, however the report went on to say that this was in part due to officers being able to focus on one key project over a longer period.  It is far more challenging to provide shared services and address transformation across all services at the same time.

Both councils have now recognised that the timescales for change were far too ambitious and the target of March 2010 for service reviews to be carried out and implemented will be missed. 

Alan Rice, Lib Dem Shadow Cabinet Member for Resources, said, "The easy win on refuse and recycling was not a quick one - it took many with all eyes on this one key project.  As the report says now the task becomes more difficult as officers have to tackle several areas at once.  I trust front line services and hence our residents will not suffer as a result."