Horsham District

Local government district in West Sussex, England

Non-metropolitan district in England

Horsham District

Non-metropolitan district

Carfax in Horsham, the district's main town

Horsham shown within West Sussex

Sovereign state| United Kingdom
Constituent country| England
Region| South East England
Non-metropolitan county| West Sussex
Status| Non-metropolitan district
Admin HQ| Horsham
Incorporated| 1 April 1974
Government

• Body| Horsham District Council
• MPs| Andrew Griffith
John Milne
Area

• Total

| 204.73 sq mi (530.26 km2)
• Rank| 74th (of 296)
Population

(2022)

• Total

| 148,696
• Rank| 147th (of 296)
• Density| 730/sq mi (280/km2)
Ethnicity (2021)

[1]

• Ethnic groups|

List

* 93.6% White
* 2.7% Asian
* 2.1% Mixed
* 0.9% Black
* 0.6% other

Religion (2021)

[1]

• Religion|

List

* 49.3% Christianity
* 42.1% no religion
* 6.1% not stated
* 0.9% Islam
* 0.6% Hinduism
* 0.4% other
* 0.4% Buddhism
* 0.2% Judaism
* 0.1% Sikhism

Time zone| UTC0 (GMT)
• Summer (DST)| UTC+1 (BST)

Horsham is a local government district in West Sussex, England. It is named after the town of Horsham, which is its largest settlement and where the council is based. The district also includes the surrounding rural area and contains many villages, the largest of which are Southwater and Billingshurst. The district includes part of the South Downs National Park and part of the designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty of High Weald. At the 2021 census the district had a population of 147,487.

The neighbouring districts are Crawley, Mid Sussex, Brighton and Hove, Adur, Arun, Chichester, Waverley and Mole Valley.

## History

[edit]

Horsham itself had been an ancient borough from the thirteenth century, but lost its borough status in the 1830s.[2] The town had been made a local government district in 1875, which became Horsham Urban District in 1894.[3][4]

The modern district was formed on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972 as one of seven districts within West Sussex. The new district covered the whole area of three former districts, which were all abolished at the same time:[5]

* Chanctonbury Rural District
* Horsham Rural District
* Horsham Urban District

The new district was named Horsham, after its largest settlement.[6]

## Governance

[edit]

Horsham District Council

Type
Type|

Non-metropolitan district

Leadership

Chair

Nigel Emery,
Liberal Democrat
since 8 May 2024[7]

Leader

Martin Boffey,
Liberal Democrat
since 24 May 2023

Chief Executive

Jane Eaton
since April 2022

Structure
Seats| 48 councillors

Political groups

Administration (27)
Liberal Democrats (27)
Other parties (21)
Conservative (12)
Green (9)
Elections

Voting system

| First-past-the-post

Last election

| 4 May 2023

Next election

| 6 May 2027
Meeting place
Parkside, Chart Way, Horsham, RH12 1RL
Website
www.horsham.gov.uk

Horsham District Council provides district-level services. County-level services are provided by West Sussex County Council.[8] Much of the district is covered by civil parishes, which form a third tier of local government for their areas.[9]

In the parts of the district within the South Downs National Park, town planning is the responsibility of the South Downs National Park Authority. The district council appoints one of its councillors to serve on the 27-person National Park Authority.[10]

### Political control

[edit]

The council has been under Liberal Democrat majority control since the 2023 election.[11]

The first elections to the council were held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until the new arrangements came into effect on 1 April 1974. Political control of the council since 1974 has been as follows:[12]

Party in control | Years

|

| Independent | 1974–1976
| Conservative | 1976–1995
| Liberal Democrats | 1995–1999
| Conservative | 1999–2003
| No overall control | 2003–2007
| Conservative | 2007–2023
| Liberal Democrats | 2023–present

### Leadership

[edit]

The leaders of the council since 2001 have been:

Councillor | Party | From | To

|
|
|

Liz Kitchen[13][14] |  | Conservative | 2001 | 22 Apr 2009
Robert Nye[14][15] |  | Conservative | 22 Apr 2009 | 14 Dec 2011
Ray Dawe[16][17] |  | Conservative | 22 Feb 2012 | 26 May 2021
Paul Clarke[18][19] |  | Conservative | 26 May 2021 | 3 Dec 2021
Jonathan Chowen[20][21] |  | Conservative | 3 Dec 2021 | Jan 2023
Claire Vickers[22][23][11] |  | Conservative | 2 Feb 2023 | May 2023
Martin Boffey[24][25] |  | Liberal Democrats | 24 May 2023 |

### Composition

[edit]

Following the 2023 election and two by-elections in February 2024 the composition of the council was:[26]

Party  | Councillors

|

| Liberal Democrats | 27
| Conservative | 12
| Green | 9
Total  | 48

The next election is due in 2027.

### Elections

[edit]

Map of the current ward boundaries

See also: Horsham District Council elections

Since the last boundary changes in 2019 the council has comprised 48 councillors representing 22 wards, with each ward electing one, two or three councillors. Elections are held every four years.[27]

### Premises

[edit]

Park House, North Street: One of the council's former offices.

The council is based at Parkside on Chart Way in Horsham, a modern office building shared with West Sussex County Council; the district council moved into the building in 2015.[28] Previously the council was based across several buildings, including Park House, an eighteenth century house on North Street which had served as the headquarters of the old Horsham Urban District Council since 1928.[29]

## Towns and parishes

[edit]

High Street in Billingshurst

The central part of the Horsham urban area, roughly corresponding to the pre-1974 Horsham Urban District, is an unparished area.[9] The rest of the district is divided into civil parishes. None of the parishes has been formally designated a town by its parish council, although Billingshurst, Henfield, Pulborough and Steyning are post towns.

Within the Horsham District are the following civil parishes:

Parish | Type | Area (Hectare) | Population (2001) | Pop Density /Hectare

|
|
|
|

Amberley | Parish Council | 1179.37 | 533 | 0.45
Ashington | Parish Council | 805.15 | 2351 | 2.91
Ashurst | Parish Council | 1009.41 | 226 | 0.22
Billingshurst | Parish Council | 3219.31 | 6531 | 2.03
Bramber | Parish Council | 719.06 | 757 | 1.05
Broadbridge Heath | Parish Council | 215.64 | 3021 | 14.01
Coldwaltham | Parish Council | 893.13 | 845 | 0.95
Colgate | Parish Council | 2243.67 | 1119 | 0.50
Cowfold | Parish Council | 1925.57 | 1864 | 0.97
Henfield | Parish Council | 1734.75 | 5012 | 2.89
Horsham | Unparished | 1170.63 | 23698 | 20.24
Itchingfield | Parish Council | 1091.06 | 1477 | 1.35
Lower Beeding | Parish Council | 1845.06 | 1001 | 0.54
North Horsham | Parish Council | 1094.77 | 21348 | 19.50
Nuthurst | Parish Council | 1696.76 | 1711 | 1.00
Parham | Parish Council | 1586.23 | 214 | 0.13
Pulborough | Parish Council | 2098.31 | 4685 | 2.23
Rudgwick | Parish Council | 2468.98 | 2791 | 1.13
Rusper | Parish Council | 2588.56 | 1389 | 0.54
Shermanbury | Parish Council | 775.15 | 454 | 0.59
Shipley | Parish Council | 3125.60 | 1075 | 0.34
Slinfold | Parish Council | 1694.81 | 1647 | 0.97
Southwater | Parish Council | 1400.20 | 10025 | 7.16
Steyning | Parish Council | 1574.09 | 5812 | 3.69
Storrington and Sullington | Parish Council | 1199.69 | 6074 | 5.06
Thakeham | Parish Council | 1170.63 | 1794 | 1.53
Upper Beeding | Parish Council | 1877.48 | 3798 | 2.02
Warnham | Parish Council | 1980.21 | 1958 | 0.99
Washington | Parish Council | 1275.90 | 1930 | 1.51
West Chiltington | Parish Council | 1732.54 | 3315 | 1.91
West Grinstead | Parish Council | 2583.65 | 2934 | 1.14
Wiston | Parish Council | 1359.67 | 221 | 0.16
Woodmancote | Parish Council | 848.72 | 478 | 0.56
Horsham | Total | 53096.21 | 122088 | 2.30

## Education

[edit]

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (January 2014)

|

The Rikkyo School in England, a Japanese boarding school, is located in the Rudgwick community in Horsham District.[30]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b UK Census (2021). "2021 Census Area Profile – Horsham Local Authority (E07000227)". Nomis. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
2. ^ Hudson, T. P., ed. (1986). A History of the County of Sussex: Volume 6 Part 2. London: Victoria County History. pp. 189–190. Retrieved 28 January 2024.189-190&rft.pub=Victoria+County+History&rft.date=1986&rft_id=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/sussex/vol6/pt2/pp189-190&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Horsham+District" class="Z3988">
3. ^ "No. 24227". The London Gazette. 13 July 1875. p. 3564.
4. ^ Local Government Act 1894
5. ^ "The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Definition) Order 1972", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 1972/2039, retrieved 31 May 2023
6. ^ "The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Names) Order 1973", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 1973/551, retrieved 31 May 2023
7. ^ Dunn, Karen (9 May 2024). "Horsham District Council has announced its new chairman". Sussex World. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
8. ^ "Local Government Act 1972", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 1972 c. 70, retrieved 31 May 2023
9. ^ a b "Election Maps". Ordnance Survey. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
10. ^ "Members". South Downs National Park Authority. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
11. ^ a b Luck, Flaminia (5 May 2023). "Sussex election results 2023: Tories lose Wealden for first time in 25 years". BBC News. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
12. ^ "Compositions Calculator". The Elections Centre. University of Exeter. Retrieved 26 November 2024. (Put "Horsham" in search box to see specific results.)
13. ^ "Former Tory leader 'absolutely appalled' by her party's treatment of their vice chairman". Sussex World. 27 February 2014. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
14. ^ a b "Council minutes, 22 April 2009" (PDF). Horsham District Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 August 2012. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
15. ^ "Horsham council leader steps down". The Argus. 14 December 2011. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
16. ^ "Council minutes, 22 February 2012" (PDF). Horsham District Council. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
17. ^ Powling, Joshua (19 May 2021). "Horsham District Council leader to stand down". Sussex World. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
18. ^ "Council minutes, 26 May 2021". Horsham District Council. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
19. ^ Powling, Joshua (12 November 2021). "Sudden resignation of Horsham District Council leader". Sussex World. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
20. ^ "Council minutes, 3 December 2021". Horsham District Council. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
21. ^ Powling, Joshua (10 January 2023). "Third Conservative council leader quits at Horsham District Council within last 20 months". Sussex Express. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
22. ^ "Council minutes, 2 February 2023". Horsham District Council. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
23. ^ Dunn, Karen (3 February 2023). "Conservative Claire Vickers elected as new leader of Horsham District Council three months before elections". Sussex World. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
24. ^ "Council minutes, 24 May 2023". Horsham District Council. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
25. ^ "Horsham's new council leader unveils his Lib Dem administration and its priorities". SussexWorld. 25 May 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
26. ^ "Local elections 2023: live council results for England". The Guardian.
27. ^ "The Horsham (Electoral Changes) Order 2017", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 2017/1065, retrieved 28 January 2024
28. ^ Coe, Anna (21 March 2015). "Horsham District Council starts office sharing move". Sussex World. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
29. ^ Historic England. "Horsham Park (Grade II*) (1353938)". National Heritage List for England.
30. ^ "INFORMATION IN ENGLISH." (Archive) Rikkyo School in England. Retrieved 8 January 2014. "Guildford Road,Rudgwick,W-Sussex RH12 3BE ENGLAND"

## External links

[edit]

* West Sussex portal

* [1]

* v
* t
* e

Settlements in Horsham District

Towns|

* Horsham
* Steyning

Villages and hamlets|

* Adversane
* Amberley
* Annington
* Ashington
* Ashurst
* Barns Green
* Billingshurst
* Bines Green
* Blackstone
* Botolphs
* Bramber
* Broadbridge Heath
* Broadford Bridge
* Brooks Green
* Buncton
* Codmore Hill
* Coldwaltham
* Colgate
* Coneyhurst
* Coolham
* Cootham
* Copsale
* Cowfold
* Crabtree
* Dial Post
* Dragon's Green
* Edburton
* Faygate
* Five Oaks
* Gay Street
* Graylands
* Greatham
* Hardham
* Heath Common
* Henfield
* Itchingfield
* Kilnwood Vale
* Kingsfold
* Lambs Green
* Littlehaven
* Littleworth
* Lower Beeding
* Mannings Heath
* Maplehurst
* Marehill
* Monk's Gate
* North Heath
* North Stoke
* Nutbourne
* Nuthurst
* Old Holbrook
* Parham
* Partridge Green
* Pulborough
* Rackham
* Rock
* Roffey
* Rowhook
* Rudgwick
* Rusper
* Shermanbury
* Shipley
* Slinfold
* Small Dole
* Southwater
* Storrington
* Sullington
* Thakeham
* The Haven
* Tisman's Common
* Upper Beeding
* Warminghurst
* Warnham
* Washington
* Watersfield
* West Chiltington
* West Chiltington Common
* West Grinstead
* Wiggonholt
* Wineham
* Wiston
* Woodmancote

Civil parishes|

* List of civil parishes in Horsham district

* v
* t
* e

Ceremonial county of West Sussex

West Sussex Portal

Boroughs or districts|

* Adur District
* Arun District
* Chichester District
* Crawley Borough
* Horsham District
* Mid Sussex District
* Worthing Borough

Major settlements
(cities in italics)|

* Arundel
* Bognor Regis
* Burgess Hill
* Chichester
* Crawley
* East Grinstead
* Haywards Heath
* Horsham
* Lancing
* Littlehampton
* Midhurst
* Petworth
* Rustington
* Selsey
* Shoreham-by-Sea
* Southwater
* Southwick
* Steyning
* Storrington
* Worthing
See also: List of civil parishes in West Sussex

Rivers|

* Adur
* Arun
* Lavant
* Mole
* Ouse
* Rother

Topics|

* Places
* Population of major settlements
* Parliamentary constituencies
* Schools
* Geography
* South Downs
* South Downs National Park
* Weald
* SSSIs
* Grade I listed buildings
* Grade II* listed buildings
* History
* Museums
* Lord Lieutenants
* High Sheriffs

* v
* t
* e

Districts of South East England

Berkshire|

* Bracknell Forest
* Reading
* Slough
* West Berkshire
* Windsor and Maidenhead
* Wokingham

Buckinghamshire|

* Buckinghamshire
* Milton Keynes

East Sussex|

* Brighton and Hove
* Eastbourne
* Hastings
* Lewes
* Rother
* Wealden

Hampshire|

* Basingstoke and Deane
* East Hampshire
* Eastleigh
* Fareham
* Gosport
* Hart
* Havant
* New Forest
* Portsmouth
* Rushmoor
* Southampton
* Test Valley
* Winchester

Isle of Wight|

* Isle of Wight

Kent|

* Ashford
* Canterbury
* Dartford
* Dover
* Folkestone and Hythe
* Gravesham
* Maidstone
* Medway
* Sevenoaks
* Swale
* Thanet
* Tonbridge and Malling
* Tunbridge Wells

Oxfordshire|

* Cherwell
* Oxford
* South Oxfordshire
* Vale of White Horse
* West Oxfordshire

Surrey|

* Elmbridge
* Epsom and Ewell
* Guildford
* Mole Valley
* Reigate and Banstead
* Runnymede
* Spelthorne
* Surrey Heath
* Tandridge
* Waverley
* Woking

West Sussex|

* Adur
* Arun
* Chichester
* Crawley
* Horsham
* Mid Sussex
* Worthing

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF

National|

* United States
* Israel

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template