Welcome To Horley Town Council

The Parish of Horley was created in 1894. Following a variety of successive local government re-organisations, the Parish Council eventually became a Town Council and changed its name in 1974. It is a busy council, and its complement of seven councillors has increased gradually over the years to its present strength of eighteen. Eighteen councillors are elected every 4 years.

Town Councillors do not receive any payment and offer their time voluntarily for the benefit of the community. The Chairman (and Town Mayor) is appointed by the 18 councillors at the Annual General Meeting in May and usually serves for a period of one year.

Local Government

Local Government in England is conducted through different levels of organisation. Horley Town Council is closest to the local community and represents the first of the three tiers of Local Government, which comprise Parish and Town Councils; Borough or District Councils and County Councils. The Town Council liaises constantly not only with its larger neighbours, Reigate & Banstead Borough Council and with Surrey County Council and but also with many other voluntary and official bodies. Hence all three organisations have different responsibilities but enjoy close working relationships. Each body of local government is run independently and is controlled by its own set of democratically elected councillors.

Town Councils Functions and Responsibilities

The duties of the Town Council are quite varied. It has many powers which are granted by Act of Parliament. The Council responds to many consultation papers and lobbies other bodies on important matters on behalf of local residents and businesses. Town Councillors are also appointed to represent the Council on various local groups and organisations. The Town Council ensures that local views are made known at Borough and County Council. For instance the Planning & Development Committee is a statutory consultee on planning applications. A fuller explanation is available in the committee section of this site.

The Town Council has specific responsibility for:

Horley AllotmentsAllotments

The former Parish Council purchased the site of just over two acres at the corner of Sangers Drive and Church Road comprising 62 plots in 1957. Plot hire is just £10.00 per annum. If interested in renting an allotment and cultivating produce or flowers then contact the Town Council for further information.

Albert Rooms

The Albert Rooms In Albert Road, the property was purchased by the Town Council in 1985, and comprises a hall, a small suite of offices, a garden and a car park. The hall is hired to the general public for functions or weekly classes and and The Citizens Advice Bureau also uses the offices. Hirers include Kidzone (after school club), Country Dancing, Jo Jingles (pre-school music group), pilates, kickboxing and art classes.

Click here for further information on fees and facilities.

Court Lodge Playing Fields

At the playing fields, there are four football pitches and a children’s playground, a cricket field and a basketball practice square. The football pitches are hired to local league teams on a regular weekly basis, but they are also available to book on a casual basis. Male and female changing facilities are provided. Contact Council for rates and availability.

Click here for further information on Pitch Hire.

Emelyn MeadowsEmlyn Meadows

This beautiful eleven-acre strip of meadow and woodland, bordered by the Burstow Stream, was purchased in 1978. This ensured that it was preserved for the use of local people as an informal recreation area. It continues to be a very popular spot for leisure and dog walking.

Michael Crescent Playground

Michael Crescent PlaygroundThis one-acre site in southwest Horley was purchased by the Town Council in 1975. There is a children’s playground and an open area of grass with facilities for five-a-side football. It is the home of 1st Horley Scouts who occupy the old squash court, built during the war by Canadian forces.

A23 Horley Recreation Ground

From its own resources, Horley Parish Council purchased the freehold of this prime site on the Brighton Road in 1924. It paid for the construction of the bowling green in 1964, for three hard tennis courts in 1974, the children’s playground in 1987, the Ornamental Gardens in 1988 and the skate park in 2002. Apart from free tennis and other facilities described, there is a large grassed area where children can play and adults relax or walk their dogs.

Recreation Ground Skate Ramp      Recreation Grounds

War Memorial

Adjacent to the A23 Recreation Ground this is, arguably, the most attractive and best maintained war memorial monument and garden in the Borough. The striking gates were designed by a pupil of local Oakwood School. The monument is illuminated during the Winter months and is a perfect setting for the Royal British Legion’s Annual Service of Remembrance.

The War Memorial      War Memorial Gates

The Council Offices

These are leased from the Surrey County Council. The Council Chamber is used predominantly for meetings of the Town Council and its Committees, but is also available for small conferences or meetings. Eight parking spaces in front of the Council Offices are leased to people who work locally. The garage is let to the Borough Council’s Horley Day Centre for the storage of its proud new minibus called “Gladys”.