A new council is set to give residents a stronger voice in shaping their community.
Horsham Parish Council will officially launch on April 1, 2026, following approval by Horsham District Council in November.
The decision comes after a lengthy consultation process and aims to improve community representation and local decision-making.
Councillor James Brookes, chairman of the governance committee at Horsham District Council, 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."
The new parish council will represent more than 22,000 residents and will be responsible for supporting local services and making decisions on issues affecting the town.
The first elections will be held on May 7, 2026, with 18 seats available.
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The move follows a two-part public consultation involving residents, businesses and community groups.
Seventy-five per cent of respondents supported the formation of a parish council.
Supporters said it would deliver improved local decision making and community representation, and there would be more opportunities for local involvement in decision making.
Councillor Brookes said: "We will have a dedicated body focused solely on the needs, identity, and overall wellbeing of the people who live and work here."
The parish council is expected to have a significant impact on how Horsham’s town centre is managed in the future.
The decision comes amid wider discussions about potential government reorganisation in the area.
Recent proposals could see Horsham District Council and West Sussex County Council replaced by a single unitary authority responsible for all current district and county services.
Such changes could mean that decisions about key community assets—including bandstands, the war memorial, Hills Farm Cemetery, the museum and art gallery, community halls, Horsham Park, and allotments—would be made by a larger body that may not be based in the Horsham area.
The new parish council would help ensure that decisions about these facilities remain as locally focused as possible.
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