Horsham District Council has completed a major public engagement initiative to inform the future of Horsham District’s leisure and wellbeing facilities.
As part of preparations to renew its Leisure Services contract in 2027- a significant decision made only once every 15 years - the Council launched a district-wide survey and a series of focus groups to gather views from residents, schools, youth forums, community partners, and key stakeholders.
Feedback results highlighted:
* 82% of respondents expressed a strong desire to be more physically active
* Respondents want more activities out in community settings
* High demand for infrastructure development
* Need for more collaboration and partnership working.
These results will be used to inform two new strategies: The Active Wellbeing Strategy and The Active Wellbeing Investment Strategy which 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 will continue to deliver directly and what services could be led by operator partners and community groups, with the Council offering support.
The public survey started on 29 September 2025 and ran for one month.
The community and engagement programme will now be reviewed by the Council’s Communities and Place Scrutiny Committee on 13 January with further work continuing to be undertaken before a report is considered by Cabinet Members in March.
Horsham District Council Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, Culture and Green Spaces Cllr David Skipp commented:
“We are extremely grateful to everyone who took part in our survey, your opinions really do matter and we value your engagement with us.
“Whilst we are very proud of the leisure and wellbeing services we already offer, we know there’s always room to improve to keep ahead of the curve in future sports, leisure and wellbeing offerings to meet the ever-changing needs of our communities.
“These emerging new strategies will be instrumental in helping residents of all ages and abilities lead healthier, more active lives.”
Editor notes
Horsham District Council is working with leading UK sport and active wellbeing consultancy SLC to develop two new strategies:
* The new Active Wellbeing Strategy will identify the role of the Council and its partners in supporting people to be active. It will establish the future vision, outcomes and objectives for a broader Active Wellbeing service and identify what steps the Council and its partners will need to take to deliver this.
* The new Active Wellbeing Investment Strategy will focus on the Council’s four main leisure facilities (Pavilions in the Park, The Bridge Leisure Centre, Billingshurst Leisure Centre and Steyning Leisure Centre). It will seek to identify what investment may be required to better meet local needs, to support wider health and wellbeing and to secure a sustainable future for these important community assets.