The end for Horsham District Council?

April 2025 Newsletter

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

HDOPF April 25 Henfield

Henfield public meeting, 1st April 2025 at Henfield Leisure Centre

The HDOPF Chairman, David Searle opened the meeting by thanking those present and attending online via Zoom. David also thanked Ascot Care for sponsoring the event.

Lagin Riecker, Registered Manager, Ascot Care gave a brief presentation about the family run business and the type of at home care they offered. Lagin remained at the meeting and enjoyed speaking one to one with attendees. Lagin may be contacted on 01403 218811 or email lagin.riecker@ascotcare.com.

HDC Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources and Deputy Leader, Cllr Mark Baynham - the end for our Horsham District Council?

Cllr Mark Baynham

Mark is the Horsham District Council (HDC) Councillor for Billingshurst Ward (Lib Dem), Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources and Deputy Leader. Mark told us about his previous police career in the Metropolitan Police and gave an explanation on how our Council Tax is spent.

Although Horsham District Council collects all your Council Tax, it only keeps 7.5%. The remainder is split between West Sussex County Council (77.6%), Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner (11.5%), and Parish & Neighbourhood Councils (3.4%).

From that 7.5%, HDC pays for our local services like emergency council services, household rubbish and recycling collection, our parks, open spaces and play areas, wellbeing services, leisure and culture facilities, housing and housing benefits, planning services, parking, supporting the local economy and voluntary groups, such as Age UK, who will receive a grant of £50,000 this year.

But all this will almost certainly change!

The end of Horsham District Council? The Government has proposed that local County Councils, including Sussex are to consider joining together to become a ‘Mayoral Combined Authority’.

Mark gave a brief overview of what is proposed and how it may affect the residents of Horsham District. West Sussex County Council, Brighton and Hove City Council and East Sussex County Council have told the Government they agree that this should happen and they want become one single combined Mayoral strategic authority to cover the whole existing area of Sussex. The Government has agreed to progress this proposal.

Becoming a strategic authority with an elected Mayor, there will be an election for the Mayor position probably in May 2026. Such Mayors have legal powers and be responsible for strategic infrastructure development, the regional economy and major transport issues. Like the Mayors of London and Birmingham authorities.

Sir Sadiq Khan - Mayor of London

The proposal also includes reorganisation of local government. In our area this means Horsham District Council and West Sussex County Council would cease to exist and new councils, called local Unitary Authorities covering all their main services would take their place.

The Government has said the new Unitary Authority councils must provide council services for a minimum of 500,000 local residents. This means the new Unitary Authority would cover at least three of the current local district council areas (including Horsham district). Which areas these would be combined into isn’t yet decided (Horsham combined with Crawley?) It is likely this new Unitary Authority council would be elected in May 2027 and start on 1 April 2028.

Existing town councils (which we don't currently have i.e. for Horsham town) and our local district parish councils will remain. When a new local Unitary Authority is set up in this way it is usual to transfer some council services that are currently covered locally by the town and parish councils. These services and facilities may include parks, open spaces, war memorials, public toilets, playgrounds, community halls and community libraries.

The only unparished area in our district is the Horsham town centre and HDC will shortly be holding a referendum with the residents of those areas to decide if the three Horsham Neighbourhood Councils covering the town centre (Denne, Forest, Trafalgar) (which do not currently have any powers or provide services or own facilities like parish councils), should become Horsham Town Council.

Some people think a Horsham Town Council isn’t needed, but moving to a much larger area unitary council means the future and ownership of facilities such as our green spaces, parks, the bandstands, the War Memorial, Hills Farm Cemetery, The Capitol theatre, the Museum, its community halls, Horsham Park, Warnham Local Nature Reserve, Chesworth Farm or its allotments, will be decided by a large County unitary authority probably not based in our area. A Town Council for Horsham could take over running and protecting these services and facilities.

Many questions were of course asked. Why have the current County Councils so readily agreed to merge? How much will this cost and how much will it save? Who will stand and speak up for the Horsham District? What will this mean for Planning? What about the Local Plan? What influence will our new local Councillors have to protect the interests of Horsham district residents? Could the Mayor decide to sell off our green spaces such as Horsham Park?

Mark was understandably, unable to answer many of the questions as its early days and a great deal is unknown, but he gave us his candid opinion.

Mark said that HDC will keep us all up to date with the progress in their newsletters.

For more information on the merger of Sussex Councils and having new Horsham Town Council there is a public meeting on Tuesday 29th April, 7.30pm Brighton Road Baptist Church (entrance in New Street with parking opposite). Main speakers: Jane Eaton, HDC Chief Executive and Martin Boffey, Leader of HDC

Panel Members: Trevor Leggo, CEO, Sussex Association of Local Councils and Jonathan Chowen, Former Leader of HDC.

Dawn Butchers, Henfield Community Partnership (HCP) Secretary and Henfield Computer Club Mentor (HCC) and Sue Wills, Director HCP and HCC Mentor gave us a interesting and informative talk about the excellent activities organised through the Henfield Community Partnership including the very active Henfield Computer Club.

HCP is a not for profit organisation and works hard to actively facilitate a wide range of community projects of interest to Henfield residents and beyond. It has been in successful operation since 2005. It supports many varied local clubs and societies. In 2013 Action for Older People, a subgroup of HCP organised an information day which included getting connected online. It was soon realised that there was a need to form a computer club to help people with their computers, smart mobile devices and get online.

The Henfield Computer Club meet in the Garden Room at the Henfield Hall every week on a Wednesday between 10 -12pm, other than for 2 weeks over the Christmas period. The annual membership fee is only £5 and members pay £2 per visit and guests £3 which includes refreshments.

The Club offer the chance to come and learn about using mobile devices, general and specific help with computer and online problems and make occasional home visits for members i.e. to sort out printer issues. In addition, a printing service and the disposal and recycling of unused items is offered. Help is also given to members wanting to apply for online applications, renewal of driving license, attendance allowance, disabled badge, passport renewal, boarding passes, bus passes etc.

Every other month a presentation is given by a mentor or guest speaker and attracts over 60 attendees. Topics include, the NHS App, staying safe online, not overpaying for utilities, how to get a cheaper mobile phone, online shopping and digital library services.

In December 2024, the club had 168 members and 15 mentors, which was a 20% increase from the previous year. Members come from Hove, Storrington, Steyning, Wivelsfield, Horsham, Crawley, Henfield, Shermanbury, Partridge Green, Cowfold and Southwater. New members are welcome.

Dawn and Sue were thanked for their excellent presentation and we wish them every success for the future of Henfield Community Partnership and the much valued Henfield Computer Club.

Laura Robertson Director of Communications and Engagement NHS Sussex

Laura once again, brought us up to date with the latest useful NHS information and answered questions.

Laura Robertson NHS Sussex via Zoom

Covid vaccinations. Bookings are now being taken on the NHS website for this year’s spring Covid vaccinations. The eligibility criteria are the same as for spring 2024, adults aged 75 years and over; with the addition of immunocompromised people in younger age groups; older adults resident in a care home; individuals aged 6 months and over who have a weakened immune system. Vaccinations are being given at Bowhunt School in North Horsham on Sunday’s and at specific Pharmacies during weekdays. You will be given a choice of where to have the vaccination when you book.

Blood Tests. Phlebotomy Services covering Horsham, Crawley and East Surrey Hospitals have recently updated their services. The walk in service for a blood test is no longer available and patients now need to book an appointment. This is required so that they know how many appointments have been made and the amount of blood samples that they will be testing so they can make sure they have the staff available for taking & processing the samples in a timely manner. There have been times when the number of samples have been greater than the resources available to carry out the testing. The new procedure will make the service more efficient, avoid waiting in a crowded waiting area and free up car parking spaces.

You can either make an appointment for a blood test at East Surrey, Crawley or Horsham hospitals by calling 03006 134117 or online or through the NHS App. If you chose the online method, it will be necessary to register yourself first and it’s recommended that you register now to save you the anxiety when you need to book an appointment. Blood tests at your GP surgery, if available, stays as before.

Our next public meeting, is free to attend and will have complimentary teas and coffee available before the meeting starts.

You can assure your place through our contact page on our website and also request the Zoom joining information. You can also email the Forum at hdopforum@gmail.com

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

Who can attend?

Anyone aged 60+ who lives in the Horsham district or cares for someone who is. Anyone involved with, knowledgeable about, or interested in issues affecting local older people.

Our local MPs, HDC, WSCC, Neighbourhood, and Parish Councillors are valued supporters of our Forum and local older people and are always welcome. If they don't know what older people are concerned about, they must consider what can and needs to be done.

As the Forum covers the whole of the Horsham district, our enjoyable and informative public meetings are held at locations around the area.

Future Forum Public Meeting will be held at the following locations:

9th September - Billingshurst Parish Council Offices

5th September - Pulborough Rother Hall.    Andrew Griffith MP for Arundel and South Downs has kindly agreed to attend this meeting and answer questions.