Who is responsible for what in Lancing?

Lancing Parish Council, Adur District Council and West Sussex County Council all have different responsibilities in Lancing. More information can be found below.

Council Responsibilities

How Your Tax Contribution is Spent

The primary source of income for most Parish Councils come from the Precept, which is a local tax collected by the District Council on behalf of the Parish Council.

This money is required to run the Council and pay to maintain and improve the facilities, activities and services that local Parish Councils provide and is normally the operational cost difference between expected expenditure and income in any one year. The Council also prudently holds an amount of money in reserve for either future planned projects and/or unexpected events.

The Precept for 2025/26 is currently £382,752.00. This equates to £56.44 per household per year.

So what do residents get for their £56.44 a year?

Here are a few things:

• Access to a Local Councillor: Lancing Parish Councillors are members of the local community and live within easy reach. They are readily contactable and committed to assisting residents directly or signposting them to the appropriate authority or service.
• Annual Residents Meeting: Held each May, the Annual Resident’s Meeting offers an important opportunity for residents to hear about the Council’s activities, raise questions and engage in local decision making.
• The Right to Attend Any Council Meeting: Meetings of the Council and its Committees are open to the public (except regarding confidential matters). Time is reserved during every meeting for residents to ask questions and make statements on any item on the agenda of that meeting.
• Grant Aid: The Council makes annual provision for Grant Aid (currently £10,000) for which local groups and charities which aim to support the residents of Lancing can apply. Applications are considered twice a year.
• Council Staff: The Council employs a dedicated team of 12 experienced, trained, and qualified staff members including the Clerk/CEO, office staff, grounds maintenance team, and caretakers. Together, they help ensure smooth day-to-day operations and high quality services.
• Parish Hall: Located on South Street, the Parish Hall is owned and maintained by Lancing Parish Council and serves as a central hub for community life. The building houses the Council’s administrative team as well as the Beachside Montessori Nursery. The Parish Hall offers a variety of rooms available for hire, suitable for private functions, community activities, and local events. Facilities include the spacious Jubilee Hall, two meeting rooms and the Community Hub – a welcoming space run by dedicated volunteers three mornings a week. The space is hirable and is used by organisations to offer support, activities and services for local residents. The Community Hub plays a vital role in bringing people together and fostering a strong sense of community.
• Christmas Tree and Lights: Lancing Parish Council is responsible for the Christmas Tree and Christmas Lights along North Road and South Street.
• Noticeboards and Clock: The five noticeboards are located at the Parish Hall, the old Post Office in North Road, Beach Green, The Broadway and Shopsdam for displaying local information and events, and is regularly updated. The clock is located on the old Post Office in North Road.
• Widewater Nature Reserve: Lancing Parish Council owns and helps maintain Widewater Lagoon Nature Reserve (in conjunction with World of Widewater), and oversees the management of the area.
• Recreation Grounds & Play Areas: Lancing Parish Council owns and maintains four recreation grounds within the parish: Beach Green, Monks Recreation Ground, Crowshaw Recreation Ground and Orient Road Recreation Ground. Each of these valued green spaces features a dedicated children’s play area, all of which are maintained to a high standard by the Council. Grass cutting is carried out regularly, with an average of28 cuts per year, ensuring the grounds remain clean, safe and welcoming. Beach Green is home to a well-used skate park, popular with young people and visitors alike, while Monks Recreation Ground features a basketball hoop and serves as a lively centre for youth engagement. A local group WBCC, operates a youth hub on site, offering a range of activities throughout the day designed to support and inspire young people in the community.
• Pocket Gardens: Situated along South Street, Headborough Garden and Wencelling Garden are pocket parks that offer a peaceful environments. These well-maintained green spaces provide an ideal setting for quiet reflection, a brief respite during the day, or a leisurely visit to the planting and natural charm. Though modest in scale, both gardens contribute significantly to the character and calm of the local area.
• Allotments: Residents of Lancing can enjoy growing their won fruits and vegetables at the Council-managed allotments located on Orient Road in East Lancing. There are currently around 30 plots which are rented out. The Council runs a waiting list system for when new plots become available. TO be added to the list of to check availability, please email admin@lancingparishcouncil.gov.uk or call our office on 01903 753355.
• Beach Huts: The Council manages approximately 290 beach hut plots from Beach Green to Widewater, which generates valuable income for the community. In addition, four beach huts located near the bandstand are available for public hire on a daily basis, offering both residents and non-residents of Lancing a relaxing seaside experience.
• War Memorial and Memorial Seats: Lancing Parish Council maintains the War Memorial located outside the Parish Hall, as well as surrounding flower beds. The Council also provides and maintains a range of public seating across the parish, strategically placed in recreation grounds, pocket gardens, and children’s play areas. In addition, a number of memorial benches have been installed in cherished locations throughout the parish – most notably along the seafront from Widewater to Beach Green, as well as within recreation grounds and pocket gardens. These benches serve as lasting tributes to loved ones and offer peaceful places for reflection.