Local Government services in Haywards Heath are shared between three authorities, West Sussex County Council, Mid Sussex District Council and Haywards Heath Town Council. Each authority has a different elected body, though some Councillors serve on more than one Council. The District has 10 Councillors who look after Haywards Heath, the County has just three and the Town has 16. This number could change for the 2011 elections as a review of the wards and their boundaries is to be undertaken. Bolnore Village has expressed a wish to have its own ward and this may have a knock-on affect on the boundaries of the other wards.

RESPONSIBILITIES The County is responsible for amongst other things roads, pathways, transport, education, waste disposal, Fire and Police services, libraries and social care, while the District looks after refuse collection, street sweeping, planning and building control, environmental health, leisure provision and council tax collection. The town has the more down to earth functions such as providing seats, litterbins, bus shelters, some street lighting. The Town Council is also responsible for allotments, the Cemetery and the War Memorial and provides all the flowers beds, hanging/pole baskets and the Christmas Lights displays. As the Council nearest to the people it tries to foster community spirit by holding festivals at which all local groups and organisations can get involved. The Town Council has it own premises where the public can come for help and advice. Within the Town Hall it hires out rooms for meetings, marriages and civil partnerships. (See Town Hall section)

ELECTIONS County, District and Town elections take place every four years. The District and the Town elections take place on the same day in the same year, while the County elections come mid way between. The next District and Town elections are in 2011. Over the years the Government has been looking at re-organisation of Local Government, which may eventually result in an amalgamation of a number of District Councils to make one larger authority. Or indeed Districts may disappear and County Councils may become the Unitary Authority. So although elections may take place in 2011 for the District Council any changes on the Local Government front could result in further elections one or two years later. At the time of writing no one really knows, as once again things are moving very slowly and may well grind to a halt! It will rather depend how and when a new government will review the situation.

COUNCIL MEETINGS The Town Council has approximately 40 meetings throughout the year, usually held on Monday evenings. At present there are three Committees, Environment & General Purposes Committee, a Planning Committee and a Policy & Finance Committee, as well as the Meeting of the Full Council. All meetings are open to the public and press and take place at 7.30 p.m. Residents are encouraged to attend meetings and may if they register, speak to members for up to 3 minutes on any subject on the Agenda prior to the start of the meeting.

THE TOWN HALL The Town Hall in Boltro Road was purpose built and opened in October 1990 and due to extensive use was extended in 2002 The reception and information desk, administration offices and the Council Chamber are on the ground floor. Upstairs, which can be accessed by a lift or stairs, are rooms of varying sizes that can be hired out to members of the public and local groups and societies. Three of the rooms can be opened up to make one large function room suitable for celebratory functions such as wedding receptions. There is also a large kitchen suitable for catering for up to 100.

In 2005 the Council was granted a licence to hold Civil Weddings at the Town Hall. These take place in the Jubilee Room upstairs or downstairs in the Council Chamber. The venue has proved popular with the number of marriages taking place increasing each year. Fees to hire the rooms for meetings and for weddings are available from the Town Council office.