April 2025 Newsletter: The End of Horsham District Council?

horshamolderpeople
Apr 27
5 min read

Updated: Jun 6

The end of Horsham District Council? Really? Yes, really! Read on!

Henfield Public Meeting: April 1, 2025

The HDOPF Chairman, David Searle, opened the meeting by welcoming all attendees, whether in-person or online via Zoom. He expressed gratitude to Ascot Care for sponsoring the event.

Lagin Riecker, the Registered Manager of Ascot Care, provided a brief presentation highlighting the family-run business and the services they offer for at-home care. Lagin stayed afterwards for one-on-one discussions with the attendees. You can contact Lagin at 01403 218811 or email lagin.riecker@ascotcare.com.

HDC Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources: The End for Horsham District Council?

Cllr Mark Baynham, the Horsham District Council (HDC) Councillor for Billingshurst Ward (Lib Dem), shared insights from his previous career in the Metropolitan Police. He explained how our Council Tax is spent.

The breakdown is clear: while Horsham District Council collects all your Council Tax, it retains only 7.5%. The remainder is distributed as follows:

West Sussex County Council: 77.6%
Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner: 11.5%
Parish & Neighbourhood Councils: 3.4%

HDC uses its 7.5% to fund essential local services. These include emergency council services, waste collection, parks, open spaces, leisure facilities, housing benefits, and more. For example, Age UK will receive a grant of £50,000 this year.

A Future in Flux

The end of Horsham District Council? The Government has proposed that local County Councils, including Sussex, consider merging into a ‘Mayoral Combined Authority’. This proposal has the support of West Sussex County Council, Brighton, and Hove City Council, along with East Sussex County Council.

The goal is to create a unified Mayoral strategic authority for Sussex. If this happens, an election for a Mayor could occur in May 2026. This Mayor would have legal powers to oversee infrastructure, the economy, and transportation, similar to Mayors in London and Birmingham.

The Proposed Local Government Reorganization

This proposal also suggests the reorganization of local government. Specifically, it means that Horsham District Council and West Sussex County Council would cease to exist. Instead, new councils, known as local Unitary Authorities, would take over essential services.

The Government has mandated that these Unitary Authorities serve a minimum of 500,000 residents. This change would likely see current local districts combine into larger units. For instance, Horsham could be merged with Crawley. The new council could be elected in May 2027 and begin operating on April 1, 2028.

Existing town councils and local district parish councils will remain. However, when a new Unitary Authority is formed, it is common for some local services to transfer from town and parish councils. These services can include parks, public toilets, and community libraries.

Horsham town center is currently the only unparished area in our district. HDC plans to hold a referendum soon for residents to decide whether to form a Horsham Town Council. This council would be responsible for managing local facilities, including parks and community spaces.

Some residents might question the necessity of a Horsham Town Council. However, as the authority expands, crucial decisions about these facilities could be made by a larger body, potentially distanced from local interests. A Town Council could better manage and protect our local assets.

Key Questions Amid Uncertainty

Many critical questions emerged during the meeting. Why have the current County Councils so readily agreed to merge? How will this affect costs and savings? Who will advocate for Horsham District's specific needs? There were also concerns about planning and how local councillors could influence these changes.

Mark acknowledged that many questions remain unanswered, as it is still early in the process. However, he assured attendees that HDC will keep residents informed through newsletters.

For more details on the Sussex Council merger and the formation of a Horsham Town Council, there is a public meeting on Tuesday, April 29, at 7:30 PM at Brighton Road Baptist Church. Main speakers will include Jane Eaton, HDC Chief Executive, and Martin Boffey, Leader of HDC, along with panel members Trevor Leggo and Jonathan Chowen.

Community Highlights from Henfield

Dawn Butchers, the Secretary of the Henfield Community Partnership (HCP), along with Sue Wills, Director of HCP, spoke about the impressive activities organized through the partnership.

HCP is a nonprofit that actively facilitates community projects for Henfield residents. Founded in 2005, the partnership supports a variety of local clubs and societies. One such initiative was the formation of the Henfield Computer Club. This club emerged from a need identified in 2013 to assist residents with technology and online connectivity.

The Henfield Computer Club meets weekly, every Wednesday from 10 AM to noon, except for two weeks around Christmas. Membership costs just £5 per year, with a £2 fee per visit for members and a £3 fee for guests, which includes refreshments.

The club provides opportunities for learning about mobile devices, resolving tech issues, and making occasional home visits to assist members. They also help with online applications, such as renewing driving licenses and passports.

Every other month, a mentor or guest speaker presents topics that attract over 60 attendees. Recent topics included digital safety, utility savings, and online shopping tips.

In December 2024, the club had experienced significant growth, with 168 members and 15 mentors, marking a 20% increase from the previous year. Members come from a broad area, including Hove, Crawley, and Horsham. New members are always welcome.

Dawn and Sue received heartfelt thanks for their informative presentation. We wish them continued success with the Henfield Community Partnership and the valued Henfield Computer Club.

Updates from NHS Sussex

Laura Robertson, Director of Communications and Engagement at NHS Sussex, provided updates on essential services.

Covid Vaccinations

Bookings are now open for this year's spring COVID vaccinations on the NHS website. Eligible individuals include adults aged 75 and older, immunocompromised individuals, and those living in care homes. Vaccinations are available at Bowhunt School in North Horsham on Sundays and at select pharmacies during weekdays.

Blood Tests

Phlebotomy Services covering Horsham, Crawley, and East Surrey Hospitals have updated their process. Walk-in blood tests are no longer available. Appointments must now be booked to ensure staff availability for testing.

Patients can schedule appointments through hospitals or the NHS App. It is advisable to register online beforehand to streamline the process.

Our next public meeting is free to attend and will offer complimentary teas and coffee before it begins.

To secure your place, visit our contact page on our website or email the Forum at hdopforum@gmail.com.

10 AM, Tuesday, July 1, 2025 - Chantonbury Leisure Centre, Spierbridge Road, Storrington, RH20 4PG.

Who can attend?

Anyone aged 60 and older living in the Horsham district, or those who care for someone in that age group. Local MPs, HDC, WSCC, Neighbourhood, and Parish Councillors are also encouraged to join.

Our public meetings are held throughout the Horsham district to engage and inform.

Future Forum Public Meetings include:

September 9 - Billingshurst Parish Council Offices
September 5 - Pulborough Rother Hall. Andrew Griffith MP for Arundel and South Downs will attend to answer questions.