Supporting people and communities - Annual Plan 2025-2026

A fresh vision for Horsham District

Supporting people and communities

Our District is a great place to live and everyone deserves to benefit. We’ll provide help in tough times and build communities where people can flourish and have fun.

Council Plan Priorities 2023-2027

Click on each priority to see specific actions, goals and targets in our Annual Plan for 2025-2026 below.

Help people through the cost of living crisis.
Better understand the needs of our whole community to deliver services that support people to live long, active lives.
Improve access to affordable housing and community services.
Build closer ties with all our housing partners.
Improve vulnerable residents’ access to benefits.
Work with partners to ensure our District continues to be a safe place to live and work.
Create safe spaces for our children to grow and play.
Invest in local arts and leisure and foster civic pride.
Improve access to sports for under-represented groups.

Read the Annual Plan for 2024-2025

Read the Annual Plan for 2023-2024

Annual Plan 2025-2026

Help people through the cost of living crisis.
- Implement the new Council Tax Reduction Scheme.
  Action completed
Better understand the needs of our whole community to deliver services that support people to live long, active lives.
- Start to prepare for the relet of the Leisure Centres contract.
  Action completed
- Design and prepare for facilities at Highwood that support the needs of the local community.
  In Progress
  The transfer of the land from the developer is anticipated in June 2026. Upon transfer, a Planning application for the facility will be submitted.
  Budget for a hall, changing rooms and associated carpark was approved by full Council, on 8 October 2025.
- Agree an ongoing golf and leisure offer at Rookwood.
  Action completed
Improve access to affordable housing and community services.
- Deliver new affordable housing units on Council land at Duke’s Square through Horsham District Homes.
  In Progress
  Planning permission to develop nine units was approved in October 2025.
  A full business case was approved at Cabinet in March 2026.
  Appointment of consultant team under way.
- Explore and investigate providing additional housing to meet local need through a small development of energy-efficient, sustainable modular homes for homeless households moving on to permanent accommodation on land we own.
  Closed
  As an industry, developers have moved away from modular homes, making this ineffective as an option for sites earmarked for this particular type of development. Therefore, this action is closed.
- Take action to bring more long-term empty properties back into use.
  Action completed
- Consult on and draft a new three-year Housing and Homelessness Strategy.
  Action completed
Build closer ties with all our housing partners.
- Work with Saxon Weald to deliver improvements to housing provision in the District.
  Action completed
Improve vulnerable residents’ access to benefits.
- There are no new actions under this theme for 2025/26.
  Action completed
Work with partners to ensure our District continues to be a safe place to live and work.
- Consider the potential impact of the Rent Reform Bill and publicise action to ensure renters understand their new protections.
  Action completed
- Roll out the monitoring function of Awaab’s law (ensuring landlords take residents’ concerns about health and safety seriously) into the social rented sector.
  Closed
  The Renters Rights Act came into effect on 1 May 2026 Awaab's law, was an extension to the protections that were in place for the social rented sector. The Housing Ombudsman is the lead body for the enforcement of Awaab's Law, although Horsham District Council, through its communications on the Renters Rights Act continues to promote the services and support available to housing tenants.
  The Council continues to fulfil its duties under the Housing Act 2004, which involve enforcement of hazards within homes, this data is reporting directly to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
- Address any issues arising from Overview and Scrutiny’s task and finish group on battery storage.
  Action completed
Create safe spaces for our children to grow and play.
- Consult on the refurbishment of the South Holmes playground in preparation for installation in 2026.
  Action completed
- Understand the community safety needs and concerns of young people and develop a plan to address these, including the potential for an event or multiple events to engage with young people.
  Action completed
Invest in local arts and leisure and foster civic pride.
- Make improvements to the Capitol Theatre.
  Action completed
- Consult on and develop a new cultural strategy for the Horsham District.
  Closed
  With the announcement Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation, it was determined that any form of cultural strategy would need to reflect a larger geographic area and demographic, therefore this action is currently closed.
Improve access to sports for under-represented groups.
- Review and revise policies relating to planning of, and investment in outdoor leisure and play facilities to improve accessibility, especially for women and girls.
  Action completed