Introduction
Horsham District Council is a local government authority responsible for delivering public services, supporting communities, managing development and promoting economic and environmental wellbeing across Horsham District in West Sussex, England.
History and Background
Horsham District Council was formed in April 1974 following the reorganization of local government in England.
The new authority brought together Horsham Urban District Council, Chanctonbury Rural District Council and Horsham Rural District Council. This created a single district council responsible for Horsham town and the surrounding rural communities.
The Council marked its 50th anniversary in 2024, celebrating five decades of public service, community development and local democratic representation.
Horsham District Council operates within a two-tier local government system. It provides district-level services, while West Sussex County Council manages responsibilities such as education, social care, highways, libraries and fire and rescue services.
Mission and Purpose
Horsham District Council exists to provide high-quality services that meet the needs of residents, businesses and communities across the district.
Its Council Plan for 2023–2027 establishes four principal themes:
- Supporting local people and communities.
- Inspiring greener futures.
- Building a thriving economy.
- Always listening, learning and improving.
The Council prepares an Annual Plan alongside its annual budget to identify the actions and resources required to deliver these long-term priorities.
Its 2026–2027 Annual Plan continues the Council’s commitment to helping residents during difficult periods, improving community wellbeing, supporting business, strengthening local high streets, reducing carbon emissions and involving communities in decision-making.
Governance and Structure
Horsham District Council is made up of 48 elected councillors who represent communities across the district.
The Council operates a Cabinet Executive Model. Full Council determines the overall policy framework, approves the budget and Council Tax, adopts strategic plans and appoints the Leader of the Council.
The Leader appoints Cabinet members, who are responsible for different areas of the Council’s work.
The Council’s committees include:
- Audit Committee.
- Communities and Place Policy and Scrutiny Committee.
- Employment Committee.
- Finance and Performance Policy and Scrutiny Committee.
- Governance Committee.
- Licensing committees.
- Planning Committee.
- Standards Committee.
Policy and scrutiny committees review Cabinet decisions, monitor performance and examine the delivery of Council services.
Management Structure
The Chief Executive serves as the Council’s Head of Paid Service and is responsible for directing organizational resources.
The Senior Leadership Team also includes:
- Director of Place.
- Director of Resources and Chief Finance Officer.
- Director of Communities.
The Council’s specialist service areas include strategic planning, development management, property, economic development, finance, digital services, legal and democratic services, human resources, leisure, culture, environmental health, licensing, waste management, housing, sustainability and green spaces.
Statutory officers support lawful, accountable and financially responsible decision-making. These include the Monitoring Officer, Section 151 Chief Finance Officer and Chief Internal Auditor.
Transparency and Accountability
Horsham District Council follows a Local Code of Corporate Governance based on principles developed by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy and the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives.
Its governance principles include:
- Acting with integrity and according to the rule of law.
- Maintaining openness and engaging residents.
- Defining sustainable economic, social and environmental outcomes.
- Planning appropriate interventions.
- Developing leadership and organizational capacity.
- Managing risk, performance and public finances.
- Maintaining accountability through reporting and audit.
Council meetings are generally open to the public and streamed online. Agendas, reports, decisions and meeting minutes are published through the Council’s democratic information systems.
Funding Mechanisms
Horsham District Council finances its services through several sources, including:
- Council Tax.
- Retained business rates.
- Government grants.
- Service fees and charges.
- Investment and property income.
- Contributions from other public agencies.
- Planning and development-related funding.
- Specific programme grants.
Council Tax accounts for approximately 22% of the Council’s income. Horsham District Council collects the full Council Tax bill but retains only a small proportion, with the majority distributed to West Sussex County Council, Sussex Police and parish or neighbourhood councils.
The Council approved a total budget of £55.1 million for 2026–2027.
The approved budget includes expenditure on waste and recycling, housing, leisure, culture, planning, environmental services, parking, economic development and community support.
Capital Investment
For 2026–2027, the Council approved a balanced budget that included a £1.6 million revenue surplus contributing to a two-year capital programme worth approximately £35 million.
Planned investment includes:
- Home repairs and housing-enabling grants.
- Disabled Facilities Grants.
- Refurbishment of The Capitol theatre.
- Improvements to the Rec Rooms.
- Replacement waste-collection vehicles.
- A new community centre for Highwood.
- Infrastructure and community facilities in Billingshurst.
These investments are intended to improve public services, community infrastructure and residents’ quality of life.
Funding and Grants
Horsham District Council provides several funding opportunities for voluntary organizations, charities, community groups, social enterprises and other eligible local bodies.
Its principal grant schemes include:
- Horsham District Council Community Grant.
- Horsham District Community Lottery Fund.
- Community Climate Fund.
- Nature Recovery Award.
- Volunteer Support Funding and Training.
- Section 106 funding.
Funding is limited and applicants are encouraged to speak with the Council’s Grants and Funding Officer before submitting an application.
Horsham District Council Community Grant
The Community Grant supports local voluntary, charitable, community and not-for-profit organizations delivering projects that improve the quality of life of Horsham District residents.
Applicants must be based in Horsham District or deliver activities that directly benefit district residents.
Organizations must be properly constituted and maintain their own bank account with at least two unrelated signatories.
The Council lists grant awards at levels of up to £5,000 and up to £15,000, although typical awards are usually below these maximum amounts.
The grant programme operates through four annual rounds:
- 1–30 April.
- 1–30 June.
- 1–30 September.
- 2–31 January.
Applications should demonstrate community need, measurable outcomes, value for money and alignment with Council priorities.
Horsham District Community Lottery Fund
The Horsham District Community Lottery Fund provides grants of up to £1,500 for eligible local community projects.
Funding is generated through the weekly Horsham District Community Lottery. Organizations registered as approved “Good Causes” may apply.
Proposals must contribute to Council priorities such as:
- Supporting people affected by the cost-of-living crisis.
- Helping residents live longer and more active lives.
- Improving access to affordable housing and community services.
- Strengthening local partnerships.
- Creating inclusive and resilient communities.
The Lottery Fund follows the same four annual funding rounds as the Council’s Community Grant.
Community Climate Fund
The Community Climate Fund supports local nonprofit organizations delivering projects that reduce carbon emissions and create lasting community benefits.
Funding priorities include:
- Reducing carbon emissions and other climate-warming gases.
- Reducing energy consumption.
- Installing low-carbon or renewable-energy systems.
- Conserving water and reducing flood risks.
- Preventing waste and increasing reuse and recycling.
- Improving biodiversity and wildlife habitats.
- Supporting walking, cycling and public transport.
The programme offers Grassroots Grants of up to £1,000 and Small Grants of up to £5,000.
Projects costing between £5,000 and £10,000 may receive funding equivalent to 50% of the total project cost, up to the maximum grant limit.
Since the Community Climate Fund was launched in 2020, approximately 50 community groups have benefited, and more than £190,000 has been awarded.
Nature Recovery Award
The Nature Recovery Award supports practical projects that expand, connect and improve wildlife habitats across Horsham District.
Landowners and community groups may seek grants of up to £5,000 for eligible biodiversity and nature-recovery projects.
The award operates alongside the Wilder Horsham District partnership and supports the creation of stronger ecological networks throughout the local landscape.
Section 106 Funding
Section 106 funding is generated through planning agreements with property developers.
Where available, these contributions may support infrastructure, open spaces, community facilities, recreational provision and other measures needed to address the impact of new development.
Eligibility and availability depend on the specific planning agreement and the geographic area for which funds were secured.
Voluntary-Sector Support
The Council’s Voluntary Sector Support team works with charities, volunteers and community organizations throughout the district.
Its services include:
- Helping residents find volunteering opportunities.
- Helping organizations recruit volunteers.
- Supporting new community groups.
- Providing mentoring and peer support.
- Sharing grant and funding opportunities.
- Delivering training courses and events.
- Publishing information and sector updates.
The Council also operates the Horsham District Community Lottery to generate additional income for participating charities and local causes.
Major Programs and Services
Housing and Community Support
Horsham District Council provides housing advice, homelessness-prevention assistance, housing benefits and support for people experiencing financial hardship.
It also administers home-repair funding, housing-enabling grants and Disabled Facilities Grants that help eligible residents adapt their homes and live more independently.
Planning and Development
The Council acts as the local planning authority for Horsham District.
It processes planning applications, prepares local development policies, protects heritage assets and plans for housing, employment, infrastructure and environmental needs.
The emerging Horsham District 2045 Local Plan will guide development and land use through 2045 and beyond.
Waste, Recycling and Environmental Services
The Council manages household waste collection, recycling and other environmental services.
Its responsibilities also include street cleaning, environmental health, food-safety regulation, pest control, licensing and measures addressing pollution and nuisance.
Climate Action
Horsham District Council aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions from its own operations by 2030 and across the wider district by 2050.
Its climate activities include:
- Supporting renewable energy.
- Improving building energy efficiency.
- Encouraging sustainable transport.
- Reducing waste.
- Protecting biodiversity.
- Strengthening resilience to climate change.
- Working with businesses, parish councils, students and community groups.
The Council’s Community Climate Fund helps translate these strategic goals into locally led projects.
Economic Development
The Council supports local businesses, employment, town centres and high streets.
Its economic-development activities include business advice, skills support, investment promotion, market-town initiatives and partnerships intended to make Horsham District an attractive place to establish and grow a business.
Leisure, Culture and Wellbeing
Horsham District Council supports leisure centres, parks, open spaces, cultural venues, community events and sports-development programmes.
The Council manages or supports facilities such as The Capitol theatre, Horsham Museum and community recreation spaces.
These services contribute to residents’ physical health, cultural participation, social connections and overall quality of life.
Impact and Examples of Work Funded
The Community Climate Fund has supported projects involving community gardens, energy-efficient village halls, community fridges, repair cafés, youth clubs and sports facilities.
Examples include:
- Solar-panel installations at community facilities.
- Water-saving equipment for allotments.
- Repair cafés that prevent usable items from entering landfill.
- Energy-efficient LED lighting at sports clubs.
- Recycling stations and green-roof projects.
- Projects encouraging cycling, walking and sustainable travel.
These initiatives help community organizations reduce operating costs while improving environmental performance.
People’s Budget
The Council launched the People’s Budget in 2024 with a £100,000 funding pot for projects supporting children and people under 25.
Community members voted on how the funding should be distributed.
Successful projects included:
- A children’s parade organized by Happy Accidents.
- An outdoor youth activity zone developed by 4 The Youth.
- Scout camping and equipment facilities.
- A mobile toy library operated by Horsham Matters.
- A mobile events and operations hub.
- Educational trips for schoolchildren.
- Equipment supporting young wheelchair users.
- Free play sessions and wellbeing packages for young families.
The programme demonstrated a participatory approach to grant-making by involving residents directly in funding decisions.
Conclusion
Horsham District Council is a democratically governed local authority providing essential services and strategic leadership across Horsham District in West Sussex.
Since its formation in 1974, the Council has supported residents through housing, planning, waste collection, environmental protection, leisure, culture, business development and community services.
Its Community Grant, Community Climate Fund, Lottery Fund, Nature Recovery Award and other funding mechanisms enable voluntary organizations and community groups to deliver projects aligned with local priorities.
Through its Council Plan and Annual Plan, Horsham District Council aims to support local people, build a thriving economy, create a greener future and improve public participation in local decision-making.
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