In response to the Government’s suggestion yesterday (18 December) that local councils may not have the capacity to hold local elections in May 2026 as well as delivering vital reforms as part of the Local Government Reorganisation programme, Leader of Horsham District Council Cllr Martin Boffey commented:
It is most definitely not the case that as a council we would struggle with capacity to hold elections and manage the demands of Local Government Reorganisation. It is the statutory responsibility of District and Borough Councils in West Sussex, not the County Council, to conduct elections and Horsham District Council stands 100% ready to carry out this duty for our residents.
On behalf of Horsham District Council, I deeply regret the implication from the Minister for Local Government yesterday that Councils might be unable to meet this important obligation. The right to vote is precious and I would like to reassure residents it is something that Horsham District Council and its leadership take very seriously. We will not let them down in this regard and if they are denied the opportunity to vote it will not be through the actions or inactions of this Council.