Horsham District Council is looking at how it provides leisure services for the future and wants to hear from residents to help it shape the future delivery of sport, leisure and physical activity facilities locally.
Residents, community groups and local businesses have a vital role to play in any plans to reshape the future of leisure services and the Council is welcoming their views in a new engagement survey.
The survey will form part of an overall community and partner engagement programme.
The timing is important as the Council is preparing to renew its Leisure Services contract in 2027—a major decision that only comes around every 15 years. The public survey launches on Monday 29 September and will close on Monday 27 October and you can access it via the Council website.
Two new strategies: The Active Wellbeing Strategy and The Active Wellbeing Investment Strategy are being co-designed with stakeholders, partners and residents to make sure future services reflect what our communities truly need. The two strategies will define the Council’s future role – setting out what it should continue to deliver directly and what services could be led by operator partners and community groups, with the Council offering support.
The Council is working with leading UK sport and active wellbeing agency SLC to develop the strategies.
Horsham District Council Leader Cllr Martin Boffey commented: “We’re extremely proud of the leisure and wellbeing services we already offer, but we know there’s always room to improve. These new strategies will be key to helping us support healthier, more active lifestyles for all ages and abilities in Horsham District.
Whether you’re passionate about sports, enjoy group exercise classes, or want better access to health programmes, this is your chance to influence what comes next, so do please take part in our initial survey.”
SLC Director Toby Kingsbury added: “SLC is pleased to be working alongside the Council to help shape the future of sport, leisure, and physical activity across Horsham District.
“The Council has some bold aspirations for how its services and facilities might be redesigned in the future. Improving upon the traditional leisure offering and increasing our focus on active wellbeing provides a ‘once in a generation’ opportunity to create more impactful services in support of the wider system and we’re excited to help make this happen.”