At meetings of the Governance Committee and full Council during November, Horsham councillors approved the creation of Horsham Parish Council. This parish council will come into being on 1 April 2026.
The first elections for the new council will be held on 7 May 2026, with 18 seats up for election.
The creation of the parish council follows an extensive two-part consultation with local residents, businesses and community groups. Some 75% of respondents supported the formation of a parish council as it would deliver improved local decision making and community representation, and there would be more opportunities for local involvement in decision making.
It was also felt that the new council should be split into nine wards and that 18 councillors would be appropriate number to represent the town.
The new council will serve over 22,000 residents, and will be responsible for representing the community, supporting local services, and taking decisions on issues that matter directly to the town.
The development of a new parish council will significantly affect how Horsham’s town centre area will be managed in the future.
The Government has recently proposed that local government is reorganised, which would mean that Horsham District Council (HDC) and West Sussex County Council (WSCC) would cease to exist.
Instead, a new Unitary Authority council would be formed which would be responsible for all the main services currently managed by HDC and WSCC.
Moving to a large Unitary Authority would mean the future of facilities such as the current Horsham District Council managed bandstands, the War Memorial, Hills Farm Cemetery, the Museum and Art Gallery, its community halls, Horsham Park, and its allotments would be decided by a large organisation possibly not based in the Horsham area.
Councillor James Brookes, Horsham District Council Chair of the Governance Committee said:
This is an important step in ensuring that local decision-making takes place at the most appropriate level.
The creation of Horsham Parish Council will give the community in the town a stronger voice.
We will have a dedicated body focused solely on the needs, identity, and overall wellbeing of the people who live and work here.
Find out more on our Community Governance Review webpage.