News 

Horsham District Council has issued a Notice of Uncontested Election for the Election of a Parish Councillor Southwater South Ward of Southwater Parish Council. As only one valid nomination was received by the close of nominations on Friday 13 February 2026, no contest was required.

Explaining the precept. At its Full Council meeting on 21 January 2026, Southwater Parish Council approved its budget and precept for 2026–27. This includes an increase in the Parish Council’s share of council tax, which for a Band D household is 58p per week.

Horsham District Council has announced an election for one Parish Councillor in the Southwater South Ward. If the election is contested, voting will take place on Thursday 12 March 2026.

The next Southwater Councillor Surgery is taking place face to face on Saturday 10th January 2026 from 10:00AM in the Parish Chamber at Beeson House.

Southwater now has 14 public-access defibrillators and we’ve created a new interactive map showing each location,

Your Councils are Changing – Potential Assets for Southwater Parish Council to take over – Survey summary

Thank you to those members of the public that attended our Councillor Surgery on Saturday 10th January 2026. A number of issues were discussed and as promised please see below an update on those items.

We are recruiting for a new Apprentice Business Support Officer based at Beeson House.

Southwater Parish Council is aware of a number of comments and questions on social media about Easteds Barn. This update is intended to share the facts, explain the process, provide reassurance, and outline what happens next.

Southwater Parish Council has received the resignation of Councillor Graham Turnwell. There is now a councillor vacancy in Southwater Parish Council.

View the Planning Committee Meeting Agenda for 7th January 2026.

At an Extraordinary Council Meeting on 17 December 2025, Southwater Parish Council resolved to proceed with a “Full Review” of the Southwater Neighbourhood Plan, including housing allocations.

In partnership with Santa and Southwater Parish Council, our Neighbourhood Wardens Bettina and Dom have once again coordinated a special delivery of surprise gifts for a number of well-deserving children from Southwater Junior & Infant Academies and Castlewood Primary School. Operation Jingle Bells has now been running for several years, continuing a valued tradition of spreading festive cheer within the community.

Please note that the Parish Council office will be closed from Monday, 22nd December 2025, and will reopen on Monday, 5th January 2026 as usual.

West Sussex County Council’s Public Health team is offering one-off grants of up to £5,000 to support adult mental health and reduce the risk of suicide.

The Government is consulting on local government reorganisation for Sussex & Brighton.  This is your opportunity to share your views on how local councils could be structured in the future in our area. 

Horsham District Council’s draft Annual Plan is now open for consultation. The Council is inviting feedback on the draft of its new Annual Plan for 2026/27 and is encouraging as many residents and businesses as possible to share their views.

As part of ongoing Cost of Living support and the Household Support Fund (HSF7), West Sussex Libraries will be offering free Essential Toiletries Kits and free Essential Period Product Packs for residents to collect.

Southwater Parish Council is pleased to announce that the Council has unanimously voted to extend the contract of our Neighbourhood Wardens.

Southwater Parish Council wishes to update residents on the outcome of our recent formal complaint to the Planning Inspectorate, regarding the appeal decision that granted outline permission for up to 800 dwellings at Horsham Golf Club (Ref: APP/Z3825/W/24/3355546).