Council plans major capital investment programme to deliver improved infrastructure and facilities for Horsham District
25 Jan 2019
At a Horsham District Council Cabinet meeting on 24 January, councillors confirmed that the Council, for the next financial year (2019/20), will be in a position to maintain all its services and deliver a £19.8 million capital programme while the level of council tax proposed will mean it continues to be the lowest in West Sussex and in the lowest 25% of all councils nationally.
The Council plans to continue to deliver savings and income generation through a combination of measures including; service reviews, improved procurement, income generation, and other efficiency measures. While the immediate measures focus on 2019/20, ideas have been extended into 2020/21. These measures include looking for new sources of income and reviewing the workforce.
It was recommended to full Council that the level of Council Tax for 2019/20 is increased by £3.93 a year from £145.60 to £149.53 for an average (Band D) rated property.
The Cabinet agreed a capital investment programme that will include a broad range of initiatives ranging from:
- Completion of the multi-million pound redevelopment of Piries Place in Horsham Town Centre to include a new modern and larger car park
- Provision of more temporary housing accommodation for homeless households
- Funds to support the delivery of more affordable rented homes
- Improvements to Warnham Local Nature Reserve
- A new skate park in Horsham Park
- Finalisation of the new £12.3 million leisure centre, The Bridge, at Broadbridge Heath.
“At a time when the pressure on local authority finances remains as great as ever, it is commendable that as a result of prudent financial planning over a number of years, the Council is delivering as strong a budget as this, while still delivering its services and investing in major projects that make our District one of the best places to live in the country.
“With councils facing reduced Government financial support and in a period with a high degree of national economic and political uncertainty, we have maintained our sound financial position.
We shall be working to continue to deliver our plans to maintain this position through a combination of measures such as income generation, service and productivity reviews, and better procurement.
Leader of the Council, Cllr Ray Dawe
The proposals were supported by the Finance and Assets Policy Development Advisory Group and will be recommended to full Council on 13 February 2019.