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Southwater Parish Council is the first Parish Council in Sussex to be awarded the Gold Award under the Local Council Award Scheme (LCAS). Local Council Award Scheme Southwater Parish Council is delighted to announce that it has been awarded the Gold Award under the Local Council Award Scheme (LCAS) – the highest level of accreditation a council can achieve from the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) . Southwater Parish Council is the first Parish council to achieve this level of accreditation in Sussex. What is the Local Council Award Scheme (LCAS)? The Local Council Award Scheme (LCAS) is an accreditation program developed by the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) to recognize and celebrate the achievements of parish and town councils in England. It provides a structured framework that allows councils to demonstrate adherence to sector standards, be evaluated by their peers, and establish conditions conducive to ongoing improvement. What does the Gold Award mean? The Gold Award is the highest level within the LCAS, signifying a council's excellence in governance, community engagement, and service delivery. Achieving this award demonstrates a council's commitment to continuous improvement and its role as a leader in the local government sector. The Council acknowledges that while reaching Gold is a significant milestone, the work does not stop here. As NALC noted, the award recognises councils that “continuously seek opportunities to improve and develop even further. Southwater Parish Council remains committed to learning, growing, and raising standards to ensure the best outcomes for the community, which is ever more important with the pending changes of Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution. Please follow this link for our press release. Official certificate

Agendas and Meeting minutes from Health & Safety Committee Council meetings from Southwater Parish Council. Health & Safety Committee Agendas No Live Streams, public access or minutes due to the Confidentiality of items to be discussed. 2026 2025

DofE is open to young people aged 14-24. Each young person builds their own DofE programmes, picking their own activities and choosing which cause to volunteer for – in order to achieve a Bronze, Silver or Gold DofE Award. The DofE is run in schools, youth clubs, hospitals, fostering agencies, prisons, sports clubs and more, all over the UK and internationally. The Duke of Edinburgh Award The Living Legacy Fund The Living Legacy Fund Application Form Once you have completed the application form, please send it to us via email on enquiry@southwater-pc.gov.uk . Thank you.

Local authorities are already required to make their constitution documents available for inspection at their offices under section 9P of the Local Government Act 2000. Local authorities must also, under the code, publish their constitution on their website. Constitution Local authorities are already required to make their constitution documents available for inspection at their offices under section 9P of the Local Government Act 2000. Local authorities must also, under the code, publish their constitution on their website. Return to Annual Transparency

The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a tool to help deliver infrastructure to support the development of the area. Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) What is CIL? The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a tool to help deliver infrastructure to support the development of the area. The levy is charged on new development that creates either 100sqm of new gross internal area floorspace or (a) new dwelling(s) of any size. Development of this nature will usually require planning permission from the local planning authority, the Planning Inspectorate or the Secretary of State on appeal, however the levy also applies to developments granted consent through local planning orders or Neighbourhood Development Orders. The levy may also be payable on permitted development. The Parish Council receives any CIL from Horsham District Council on a backdated 6 month period. The monies are allowed to accrue and to be spent on community projects within the Parish of Southwater that would not normally be covered by the precept. Importantly, the levy can be used to increase the capacity of existing infrastructure or to repair failing existing infrastructure if that is necessary to support development. Put simply, Horsham District Council (HDC) collects CIL from developers of new properties and owners of existing properties which are extended or modified, increasing the dwelling in size. HDC and West Sussex County Council (WSCC) retain the bulk of these funds, but 15% (Capped at £100 per dwelling) is passed directly to the Parish/Town Council where the development takes place. If the Parish has a "made" Neighbourhood Plan, the amount rises to 25% (uncapped). In summary, Parish Councils are responsible for spending the CIL it receives (the neighbourhood portion) in line with the CIL regulations, to support the development of the Parish, or any part of that area by funding:- a) the provision, improvement, replacement, operation or maintenance of infrastructure; or b) anything else that is concerned with addressing the demands that development places on an area. For more information on CIL please visit the Horsham District Website here . UPDATE (23rd June 2021): The Southwater Neighbourhood Plan (SNP) has now been made and adopted by Horsham District Council. Only once a plan is ‘made’ does the increased percentage of CIL apply combined with the removal of the CIL cap . Please also see Southwater Infrastructure Delivery Plan Briefing Note for more information. CIL Receipts and Payments Receipts of CIL by Southwater Parish Council are listed in the accounts as CIL Receipts and are an earmarked reserve until they are spent. If they are not spent within 5 years of receipt they may be refundable to HDC. Below are the receipts and payments that have been received by Southwater Parish Council to date. Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Report - Updated 12 December 2025 Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Report - Updated 24 June 2025 Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Report - Updated 31 January 2025 Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Report - Updated 18 April 2024 Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Report - Updated 14 April 2023 Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Report - Updated 19 August 2022 Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Report - Updated 22 April 2021 Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Report - Updated 28 April 2020

Information about local community groups and projects they worked on in collaboration with Southwater Parish Council. Community Neighbourhood Wardens Southwater Ghyll CIO DofE Living Legacy Fund Southwater Community Police Office Southwater Youth Project Southwater Village Hall Southwater Community Responders Southwater Community Partnership

On the 23rd June 2021, Horsham District Council voted to 'make' the Southwater Neighbourhood Plan. Accordingly the Southwater Neighbourhood Plan now forms part of the development plan for the area and is being used to help determine planning applications. Southwater Neighbourhood Plan A0 Policies Map (as Made) BACK

Horsham District Council is the planning authority for the area. Southwater Parish Council is a statutory consultee in relation to all planning applications, whether this be a small extension or a major development within the parish boundaries. Planning Planning Commitee Minutes & Agendas SPC's Planning Policy Satement Horsham District Council is the planning authority for the area. Southwater Parish Council is a statutory consultee in relation to all planning applications, whether this be a small extension or a major development within the parish boundaries. Planning regulations have changed, allowing a greater amount of permitted development (development where planning permission is not required providing appropriate criteria are met). For further information as to whether such permission is required see Horsham Planning Portal . When a Parish Councillor is issued with a planning application, they may make contact with the applicant and neighbouring properties to gauge their opinions and to look at the plans on site. There is no legal requirement for them to do so, nor is there a legal requirement for the applicant to allow the Councillor on site, although this can be helpful when assessing and discussing the application. Should the Parish Councillor visit the site, then they will produce identification stating that they are indeed a Parish Councillor, this can be verified by contact the parish office on 01403 733202. The Parish Council's Planning Committee deals with planning matters. The committee follows a formal protocol in considering applications and is expected to focus its comments on ‘material considerations’ as defined by relevant policy frameworks (national, district and the Southwater Neighbourhood Plan and Parish Design Statement). If an applicant or resident wishes to speak for or against an application, they may do so at the Parish Council's Planning Committee meeting. This will require prior notification and registration with the Parish office. Once a recommendation is made, this is notified to the District Council's planning department within two working days. Please look at the 'Useful Links' for further information. Useful Links: Horsham Planning Portal Horsham District Council Website Government Website Planning Permission Southwater Neighbourhood Plan Southwater Parish Design Statement 2011

Southwater Neighbourhood Wardens monthly reports - available in accessible PDF form.. Neighbourhood Wardens Monthly Reports 2026 2025 2024 2023

Details of the Play Area at Roman Lane in Southwater. Roman Lane Play Area Roman Lane Play Area Roman Lane Play Area Roman Lane Play Area Roman Lane Play Area 1/6 Location: Roman Lane Play Area Roman Lane Southwater West Sussex RH13 9AF The Roman Lane Art Project

Expenditure at the Council Exceeding the above amount. Expenditure Exceeding £500 The Local Government Transparency Code 2015 (the code) came into effect on 1 April 2015. The code is issued by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government in exercise of powers under section 2 of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980, and replaces any previous codes issued in relation to authorities in England under those powers. The code does not replace or supersede the existing framework for access to and re-use of public sector information provided by the: Freedom of Information Act 2000 (as amended by the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012) Environmental Information Regulations 2004 Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2005 Infrastructure for Spatial Information in the European Community regulations 2009 Sections 25 and 26 of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 which provides rights for persons to inspect a local authority’s accounting records and supporting documentation, and to make copies of them. The code requires local authorities in England to publish expenditure exceeding £500 quarterly as a minimum. However this detail is shown bi-monthly in line with F&GP frequency. Documents organised by financial years: 2025-2026: AUG - SEPT 2025-26 2024-2025 2021-2022 Forthcoming months will be available here JUN - JUL 2025-26 2023-2024 2020-2021 OCT - NOV 2025-26 APRIL - MAY 2025-26 2022-2023 2019-2020 Return to Quarterly Transparency

Monthly newsletters written by Southwater Parish Council to share useful local information including details of events, groups and contacts. Newsletters Episodes Published in Southwater News Magazine: June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 December 2025/ January 2026 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 July-August 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 December 2024/January 2025 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 July/August 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 December 2023/January 2024 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 July/August 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 December 2022/January 2023 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 July/August 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022

The code requires that local authorities must publish the following information about their counter fraud work. Fraud The code requires that local authorities must publish the following information about their counter fraud work: Number of occasions they use powers under the Prevention of Social Housing Fraud) Power to Require Information) (England) Regulations 2014, or similar powers. Total number (absolute and full time equivalent) of employees undertaking investigations and prosecutions of fraud. Total number (absolute and full time equivalent) of professionally accredited counter fraud specialists. Total amount spent by the authority on the investigation and prosecution of fraud. Total number of fraud cases investigated. No fraud events to report. Return to Annual Transparency

Everything you need to know about Southwater Parish Council and its councillors. The Council Your Parish Council Councillors Staff Policies Your Parish Council Councillors Committees and Reps Policies Forthcoming Meeting Dates Powers and Duties Staff Job Listings and Vacancies Civility and Respect

On the 23rd June 2021, Horsham District Council voted to 'make' the Southwater Neighbourhood Plan. Accordingly the Southwater Neighbourhood Plan now forms part of the development plan for the area and is being used to help determine planning applications. Southwater Neighbourhood Plan (Made) Click here for the Southwater Neighbourhood Plan Map BACK

Details on Section 106 Projects and Funding, and the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). Section 106 Section 106 Projects Section 106 Funding and Community Infrastructure Levy The principle that development should be subject to a charge or levy has been an aspect of English planning since the inception of the ‘1947 planning system’ of the post war era. Important legislative moments in this regard include the Town and Country Planning Act’s Development Charge (1947), the Land Commission Act (1967), the Community Land Act (1975), the Development Land Tax Act (1976), the Town and Country Planning Act (1990) and the Planning Act (2008). Each of these Acts has had a bearing on the process by which the contributions the development industry makes are exacted and invested. It is important to remember that the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) provides the policy context on which developer contributions can be sought. Currently, there are two mechanisms by which developer contributions are secured. These are: Planning obligations The Local Planning Authority (LPA) negotiate obligatory contributions with developers on a case-by-case basis to mitigate the impacts of the development. These are secured by ‘section 106 agreements’ (S106). Community Infrastructure Levy The Planning Act 2008 and subsequent CIL regulations provide the legislative basis for the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). This is a locally determined fixed charge each square metre of new development. CIL is optional and Horsham District Council have chosen to adopt CIL. In Horsham District, developer contributions are currently secured via both S106 and CIL. There is currently a range of S106 monies available to the area and Parish of Southwater, which Southwater Parish Council monitors and where possible will put forward projects or lobby the appropriate organisation, for example, lobbing West Sussex County Council to spend a S106 balance relating to improvements to highways in Southwater. These monies can only be spent on specific infrastructure or facilities as set out in the respective S106 and in most cases have to be applied for via Horsham District Council. Examples of what the monies have historically been available for or can be spent on include: Commuted Sums for the maintenance of play areas and/or open spaces transferred to the Parish Council. Provision or improvement of open space and recreation facilities including Skate park in Bens Field, Stakers Lane. Provision or improvement of the changing facilities, replacement of windows and refurbishments and alterations to the upper floors at The Ghyll. Provision of outdoor sports in particular to be used for the acquisition of land for or enhancements to outdoor sports pitches. Provision, retention, or improvement of community/leisure facilities. Public artwork. Provision or improvement of community/leisure facilities. Provision of indoor and outdoor sports facilities and enhancements to the main hall at The Ghyll. Each separate Section 106 agreement relating to a development will specify exactly how much funding is available and held by the developer or HDC to which Southwater Parish Council has to apply for with the appropriate project that meets the criteria. For information on Section 106 Agreements and Funds relating to Planning Applications please visit Horsham District's Planning Portal . More information can be found here: Horsham Planning Documents S106 Projects

Annual Reports from the Neighbourhood Wardens of Southwater Parish Council since 2021 Neighbourhood Wardens Annual Reports 2024-25 Annual Report 2024-25 2023-24 Annual Report 2023-24 2022-23 Annual Report 2022-23 2021-22 Annual R eport 2021-22 2020-21 Annual Report 2020-21 2019-20 Annual Report 2019-20 Annual Report photos 2019-20

The Southwater Parish Council Business Plan is reviewed yearly and updated to reflect the ongoing requirements of the village. Business Plan See below for the most recent version of the Southwater Parish Council Business Plan covering 2025-2030. Please send completed Feedback Forms to enquiry@southwater-pc.gov.uk Business Plan Feedback Form

Minutes and Agendas for extraordinary council meetings. Extraordinary Council Meetings An extraordinary meeting of a parish council may be called at any time by the chairman of the council. Extraordinary Council Meetings can be found under their specific meeting name. YouTube Live Streams of Council Meetings Available here: Southwater Parish Council - YouTube

Everything you need to know about climate change and the actions we can take as a community to mitigate the effects of climate change and improve life for everyone within our Parish. Our Parish, Our Climate Welcome to our page where you can find everything related to climate change and the actions we can take as a community to mitigate the effects of climate change and improve life for everyone within our Parish. Please browse around below amongst our resources and check out SPC's climate action plan. News Click here for environment and climate related news from the parish and the district. Climate Action Plan Southwater Parish Council's climate action plan has been launched. Useful Resources A collection of useful and interesting resources to help the environment. Sustainability in Southwater What can you do in Southwater? Where and what can you recycle in the area? And more...

To view our land and buildings register please click here, Land and Buildings Register. Local Authority Land To view our land and buildings register please click here Land and Buildings Register The code requires that local authorities must publish details of all land and building assets including: All service and office properties occupied or controlled by user bodies, both freehold and leasehold Any properties occupied or run under Private Finance Initiative contracts Garages unless rented as part of a housing tenancy agreement Surplus, sublet or vacant properties Undeveloped land Serviced or temporary offices where contractual or actual occupation exceeds three months All future commitments, for example under an agreement to lease, from when the contractual commitment is made For each land or building asset, the following information must be published together in one place: Unique Property Reference Number Unique asset identity Name of the building/land or both Street number(s) Post town United Kingdom postcode Map reference – either Ordnance Survey or ISO 6709 Whether the local authority owns the freehold or a lease for the asset and for whichever category applies, the local authority must list all the characteristics that apply from the options given below: For freehold assets: Occupied by the local authority Ground leasehold Leasehold Licence Vacant For leasehold assets: Occupied by the local authority Ground leasehold Sub leasehold Licence For other assets: Free text description e.g. Rights of way, access, etc. Return to Annual Transparency

The Council recognises the importance of ‘play and recreation’ and we are fortunate to have eight playgrounds within our Parish Boundary. Find a Play Area The Council recognises the importance of ‘play and recreation’ and we are fortunate to have eight playgrounds within our Parish Boundary. The Play Areas are maintained and inspected by our Play Area Inspectors and an independent inspection from Zurich. The Council manages and maintains 7 play areas in the Parish. 5 play areas have recently undergone refurbishment (Cornflower Way, Eversfield. Larkspur Way, Nutham Lane and Warren Drive). Map Key Yellow swing icon mark play areas we manage Brown swing icon marks play areas managed by other organisations A Google Map has been embedded on this page and is a 3rd party provided service and may not be fully accessible. If you require further help with getting location information please contact us. Cornflower Play Area Read More Eversfield Play Area Read More Nutham Lane Play Area Read More The Ghyll Play Area Read More Downs Link Play Area Read More Larkspur Way Play Area Read More Roman Lane Play Area Read More Warren Drive Play Area Read More

Quarterly and Annual Transparency Data for Southwater Parish Council Transparency The Local Government Transparency Code 2015 (the code) came into effect on 1 April 2015. The code is issued by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government in exercise of powers under section 2 of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980, and replaces any previous codes issued in relation to authorities in England under those powers. The code does not replace or supersede the existing framework for access to and re-use of public sector information provided by the: Freedom of Information Act 2000 (as amended by the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012) Environmental Information Regulations 2004 Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2005 Infrastructure for Spatial Information in the European Community regulations 2009 Sections 25 and 26 of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 which provides rights for persons to inspect a local authority’s accounting records and supporting documentation, and to make copies of them. The code requires local authorities in England to publish the following information: Quarterly Annually Return to Finance & Transparency

Multi Use Games Area in Southwater available for the public. MUGA (Church Lane) MUGA (Church Lane) Address: Off Church Lane Southwater Horsham West Sussex RH13 9BT

Southwater has two skate parks are available for public use: Ben's Field, Stakers Lane - which was rebuilt in July 2023 and a smaller skate park off Church Lane. Skate Parks Take a look below at our Skate Parks. The beloved and renowned "Southwater Skatepark" at Ben's Field, Stakers Lane has been in the process of being rebuilt and finally opened after a much anticipated wait on 31 July 2023. Southwater Skatepark - May 2024 Map Key Orange skateboard icon marks the skate parks we manage. A Google Map has been embedded on this page and is a 3rd party provided service and may not be fully accessible. If you require further help with getting location information please contact us. Church Lane Address : Off Church Lane Southwater Horsham West Sussex RH13 9BT Southwater Skatepark Address : Ben's Field, Stakers Lane (Downs Link) Southwater Horsham West Sussex RH13 9UN

Community First Responder's (CFR) are volunteers who provide immediate care to those in their community who have fallen ill. The CFR's are dispatched by the South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb). Southwater Community First Responders (CFR's) CFR's are volunteers who provide immediate care to those in their community who have fallen ill. The CFR's are dispatched by the South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb). CFR's are trained to attend emergency calls received by the Ambulance Service, and give life-saving care in the minutes up to when the ambulance arrives. Training is provided by the Ambulance Service and covers Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). The aim of the group is to provide a service 24 hours a day 365 days of the year. Please visit Southwater Community Responders Facebook page for more information, or to contact them. Public Access Defibrillators in Southwater Within the Parish, there are 14 Public Access Defibrillators which may be used by anyone. To gain access to the devices, dial 999 and ask for the ambulance service who will advise you of the access code to open the cabinet. For more information and for the specific location of the defibrillators, please visit our dedicated page oin local public access defibrillators: Defibrillators Location of Public Access Defibrillators in Southwater

The structure and role of the parish council in Southwater. Your Parish Council The Parish Council came into being in 1987 upon the demise of the Horsham Rural District Council, due to Local Government re-organisation. The Parish Council is a Statutory Body, with members elected every four years and is funded through the local precept (council tax). The income and expenditure for the next financial year are calculated in the form of a draft budget. The net amount (the precept) is then added to the council tax, collected by Horsham District Council and paid to the Parish Council in two separate instalments. The Parish Council can apply for other funding such as grants and funding awards, but it does not receive funding direct from central government as, say, the County and District Councils do. The Parish Council currently operates its offices and chamber in Beeson House. There are three tiers of local government, each with different responsibilities. SPC is considered the first and local tier. Council tax paid by all Southwater residents is collected by HDC. HDC distribute Taxes and Precepts to WSCC, HDC and SPC. SPC receive the Precept from HDC in two 50% payments. The first in April and second in September. The main source of income for SPC is the precept but also receives income from various assets, grants and will look towards new income opportunities that can reduce the total precept requirement. It should be noted that some assets within the village, whether Public Open Space or Play Areas, may be operated by HDC and some by SPC. Signage is typically found at each site which will indicate which authority but where unsure direct queries to enquiry@southwater-pc.gov.uk The Parish Council has a large range of powers and therefore is actively engaged on your behalf on a variety of different activities within the community. A list of the powers and duties available to the Parish Council can be viewed here - Powers and Duties

All different ways to contact Southwater Parish Council. Contact Us Here at Southwater Parish Council we take your privacy seriously and will only use your personal information to provide the services you have requested from us. We will not pass your personal data on to any third parties. We will use the details you provide below to contact you with answers to your question. If at any point you would like us to stop contacting you or would like us to delete the information you provide us with, please let us know in writing via email to enquiry@southwater-pc.gov.uk . Address: Southwater Parish Council, Beeson House, 26 Lintot Square, Fairbank Road, Southwater, West Sussex RH13 9LA Tel: 01403 733202 Email: enquiry@southwater-pc.gov.uk Social Media Southwater Councillors Neighbourhood Wardens Other Helpful Contacts Report a Road or Environmental issue: Residents can report environmental issues including potholes. https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/make-an-enquiry-or-report-a-problem-with-a-road-or-pavement/ Litter Litter, overflowing bins, fly tipping, contact https://www.horsham.gov.uk/waste-recycling-and-bins/litter-and-street-cleaning Telephone number to call is 01403 733144 Dog Bins Contact : Report a damaged or full dog bin | Horsham District Council Telephone Number to call is 01403 733144 Anti Social Behaviour For more information or to contact the Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour team, please call 101 - See more at: https://www.horsham.gov.uk/communitysafety/community-safety/anti-social-behaviour#sthash.QslpQ0Dy.dpuf NHS NHS 111 is much more than a helpline – if you're worried about an urgent medical concern, you can call 111 to speak to a fully trained adviser Emergency Services In an emergency, dial 999 If you’ve witnessed of been the victim of crime, please report it by dialing 101 or report it online at www.sussex.police.uk/ro/report Roadworks View a table of current planned roadworks, who is doing the work and their contact details at one.network First Name Last Name Email Message Thank you for contacting us Send Get in Touch