Council & Democracy

Midhurst Town Council is one of three authorities responsible for local services which can be the cause of some confusion . The principal authorities for the area are:

Chichester District Council provides services for nearly 110,000 people in an area that stretches from Midhurst to the sea and from Westbourne in the west to Bury in the east. Its responsibilities include waste collection, planning and building control, leisure, sport and tourism, licensing, car parking, and public safety, and collecting council tax on behalf of the County and Parish Councils.

West Sussex County Council provides services for 750,000 people in an area, which stretches along the coastal plain from Emsworth to Shoreham with its northern boundary stretching from Haslemere to East Grinstead. It is responsible for libraries, highways, social services, education, fire and rescue amongst other things.

Midhurst Town Council is the first and closest tier of local government to the town's residents. Its fifteen members are elected by the public and serve a four year term . The Councillors are unpaid and give their time and expertise to ensure that the local area is represented and its views made known to principal authorities .

There are also projects and services carried out by the Town Council including :

• Management of the cemetery
• Management of the recreation area and skate park
• Street flower displays
• Christmas Street Party
• North Street Christmas lights
• Public seating around the town
• Production of the Midhurst Matters newsletter
• Providing some of the town's street lighting and public seating

In partnership with other local authorities and groups the Town Council is involved in:

• Maintaining South Pond and St Ann's Hill
• Outreach Youth Worker project
• Local Action Team – crime reduction forum
• Enjoy Midhurst Tourist Guide
• Financing the CCTV cameras in the town
• The Economic Partnership

The Town Council is also consulted on major issues in the town for example:

• All planning applications
• Redevelopment of the Grange Centre
• Highway schemes
• Recent remodelling of the 'bus station

and has representatives on the boards of :

• Midhurst Town Trust
• George Ognell Poor Charity
• Pest House Charity
• Citizens' Advice Bureau
• Cowdray Heritage Project

All of the Town Council meetings and those of its Committees are open to the public. Agendas for the meetings are displayed on the Town Council notice board and this site. If you want to come along to a meeting and speak on a specific matter please contact the Clerk who can advise you and arrange for the meeting chairman to call upon you to speak.