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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.

RESPONSIBILITIES The County is responsible for roads, pathways, transport, education, waste disposal, Fire and Police services, while the District looks after refuse collection, street sweeping and planning. The town has the more down to earth functions providing seats, litterbins, bus shelters, some street lighting. The Town Council is also responsible for allotments, the Cemetery and the War Memorial. It also 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. Town Councillors are more hands-on for their community and can be seen out and about carrying out activities like litter picking and bulb/tree planting and delivering Newsletters.

The Town Council has it own premises where the public can come for help and advice. (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 are in 2007. However, the Government is once again looking at re-organisation of Local Government, which may 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 2007 for the District Council changes might 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!

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 over the last year with a number of marriages taking place. Fees to hire the rooms for meetings and for weddings are available from the Town Council.

Whilst every care has been taken in compiling this publication and the statements contained herein are believed to be correct, the publishers and promoters cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies. Reproduction of any part of this publication in any format, without permission, is strictly forbidden. This Guide to Haywards Heath Town is written by the Town Clerk for the Council and it is hoped that it will prove useful to local residents, visitors and to those who might be contemplating moving to the Town. Thanks are expressed to the advertisers whose participation has made it possible to produce this Guide. It is hoped that you will support them, thereby helping to promote the Town. Acknowledgments to: The Town Clerk Carole M. Preston, Photographs - Carole M Preston