As Sussex moves closer to devolution and a possible overhaul of how local government is structured, Adur & Worthing Councils are trying a new approach to shaping their future.
Under the banner of Thriving Together, they’ve launched an ambitious engagement programme that invites residents, businesses, councillors, and local organisations to co-design the future of their places.
Intended not to be a top-down consultation on a fixed plan, the councils are asking:
👉 “What do you wish we could do - together - to make Adur and Worthing better places to live?”
🧭 A participatory approach
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A new online platform invites people to share ideas using the prompt “I wish we could…”
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Everyone can suggest ideas, respond to others, and join in-person events to build a shared picture of priorities - from neighbourhood concerns to regional ambitions.
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These ideas will directly inform Adur & Worthing’s Local Government Reorganisation Plan, which will be submitted to government in September 2025 as part of Sussex’s wider devolution journey.
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The councils are also recruiting and supporting community facilitators, including councillors and young people, to help host conversations and broaden participation.
💡 What is the big idea?
Adur & Worthing are expected to join a new unitary authority by 2028, and this is a rare moment to shape what that authority should stand for - from climate action and fair economies to neighbourhood investment and local democracy.
This experiment is a new type of civic design process - testing digital tools, supporting creative engagement, and anchoring policy in local hopes and ideas.
Would this approach work everywhere?
🔗 To find out more: https://participate.adur-worthing.gov.uk
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