District-Wide Community Governance Review
Horsham District Council has launched a Community Governance Review in February 2026, to consider all the parishes within the District. The review can consider one or more of the following options:
- Creating, altering, merging or abolishing parishes
- The naming of parishes and the style of new parishes and the creation of parish councils
- The electoral arrangements for parishes (for instance, the ordinary year of election, the number of councillors to be elected to the council and parish warding)
- Grouping parishes under a common parish council or de-grouping parishes
- Other types of arrangements including parish meetings
The Community Governance Review (CGR) process
A Community Governance Review is a legal process where the council will consult with those living in the area, and other interested parties, on the most suitable ways of representing the people in the area. This means making sure that those living in the area, and other interested groups, have a say in how their local communities are represented.
The purpose of a CGR is to ensure that these arrangements continue to be effective and efficient, and that they reflect the interests and identity of local communities. The review process gives you the chance to provide your view on how you would like to be governed.
| Action | Date |
|---|---|
| Report to Governance Committee to approve the Terms of Reference for the review. | 18 February 2026 |
| Undertake formal consultation with local electors and other interested bodies in accordance with Section 93 of the Local Government and public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (6 weeks) | May - June 2026 |
| Governance Committee considers consultation outcomes and produces draft recommendations | July 2026 |
| Undertake formal consultation with local electors and other interested bodies in accordance with Section 93 of the Local Government and public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (6 weeks) | August - September 2026 |
| Governance Committee considers consultation outcomes and produces final recommendations | October 2026 |
| Full Council meeting, to approve reorganisation order(s), if required | October/November 2026 |
| Effective date of any change to parish boundaries, and electoral arrangements | 1 April 2027, or other date as detailed in the reorganisation order |
| Elections to take place to elect councillor, based on any agreed changes | 1 May 2027 |
We are required to take into account:
- the impact of existing community governance arrangements on community cohesion; and
- the size, population and boundaries of any local community or proposed parish or town council.
Government guidance indicates when undertaking such a review that criteria include:
- a sense of civic pride and civic values;
- a strong, inclusive community and voluntary sector;
- a sense of place – with a positive feeling for people and local distinctiveness;
- effective engagement with the local community at neighbourhood level
- strong leadership;
- the ability of local authorities to deliver quality services economically and efficiently; and
- an area that is of a size that is viable as an administrative unit of local government.
Horsham District Council is responsible for conducting the Review within its electoral area. The Governance Committee will undertake the Review and set the terms of reference. This committee will be responsible for undertaking the communication and consultation strategy, as well as making draft and final recommendations. Following the initial consultation, draft recommendations will be produced, and further consulted upon. This will enable the committee to form their final recommendations.
The Governance Committee will approve the final recommendations. If there are to be any changes to any parishes, a Community Governance Order would then need to be created. Full Council would need to approve the making of an order.
The meetings of the Governance Committee are open to the public and all documentation is available online - https://horsham.moderngov.co.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CId=243&Year=0. All meetings are available to view on our YouTube page - https://www.youtube.com/@horshamdistrictcouncil/streams
Legislation requires Community Governance Reviews to be completed within 12 months of the terms of reference being formally published. For this review the 12-month period will run from February 2026 and it is anticipated that the Governance Committee will approve a final recommendation in October 2026. Should there be changes to any parishes, the Community Governance Order would be made in October/November 2026.
Yes. Meetings of the Governance Committee are open to the public. The meetings will also be livestreamed on our YouTube page - https://www.youtube.com/@horshamdistrictcouncil/streams
No. District ward boundaries are reviewed by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE).
This Community Governance Review does not have the power to change any district ward boundaries, nor do it have the power to look at county divisions, or parliamentary constituencies.