We need a voice in own destiny
My personal wish is for the people of Horsham town to be free to decide what is best for their town’s future.
That has been my desire for many years. Too often the current system means that our townspeople and near neighbours in the North of Horsham District find themselves being tied to unwelcome decisions put together by others and foisted on the us, without essential prior discussion with locally elected representatives and those most involved.
The town should have a realistic voice in deciding its own destiny. Too often it has no voice at all.
Horsham town’s position is sadly, extremely limited under the current Cabinet system.
Any threat that the town might become even worse off under a unitary authority seems immaterial! It has been my privilege to have been an elected HDC Councillor for many years ..... depressingly that role has become far more difficult.
It has become less rewarding, less respected and for me, uncomfortable. Being a Horsham person through and through, my passion for the town and district comes from generations of family connections.
My time on the council is about helping local people not playing politics. In recent times Horsham town has become an easy target for further major developments - without it having a realistic ability to successfully challenge unsuitable proposals. We are seeing treasured assets and green spaces threatened or lost.
Supporting infrastructure has not kept pace with the massive increase in our population. The absence of sufficient sharing of information with local members and the local community is a reminder of Horsham town’s constraints, including an inability to contribute, let alone choose what is best together with our residents and our businesses.
Sad, but not surprising, some of us are feeling that we are still being let down by a system that is not equitable. CHRISTINE COSTIN Councillor for Trafalgar Ward (Lib Dem) Horsham District Council