Horsham District Council will be sending a book offering congratulations to their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge following the birth of their son.

The Council is arranging for a commemorative book to be displayed for the people of the Horsham District to sign at Swan Walk Shopping Centre in Horsham from Wednesday 24 July 2013 until Wednesday 31 July.

The book will also be displayed at the Storrington Help Point in Storrington from Thursday 1 August 2013 for one week.  It will then be sent to Kensington Palace to the new parents.

For more information about the book welcoming the royal baby, contact Horsham District Council by emailing press@horsham.gov.uk or call 01403 215571.

Sussex Building Control, the local authority building control service for Horsham District Council and Crawley Borough Council, has produced three new guides for homeowners to help with their building work.

These guides are free to pick up from Horsham District Council’s offices at Park North in North Street, Horsham, from local parish council offices, and libraries across the District.

Alternatively, to get a copy of the guides email info@sussexbuildingcontrol.org, call 01403 215151 and quote ref HDNautumn13 or visit the website (www.sussexbuildingcontrol.org).

Finding an architect

Unless you have a good working knowledge of building construction, the current planning laws and building regulations, you should seek professional advice from an architect before you begin planning your home improvement project.

Do I need planning permission? How so I submit a Building Regulations application? How do I find an architect?

Pick up this new guide to find out more.

Does my work need building regulations?

Building regulations are a set of standards – put in place by the Government – to ensure that building work is carried out safely and correctly. If you build in accordance with the regulations, your home will be safe and comfortable for your family to live in.

Pick up this new guide to find out more about the work that is and isn’t covered by building regulations – including conservatories, porches, detached garages, carports, sheds and summerhouses.

Finding a builder

Your architect will normally be able to recommend a builder and some may have a preferred list of builders who they use for specific types of work. Always ask for your architect’s advice before starting your research.

This free guide has information on what to do before you begin a project, what to ask your builder before you make a decision and well as other things to consider.

Anyone with an interest in Horsham town centre is invited to join Cllr Helena Croft, Horsham District Council’s Cabinet Member for Horsham Town, at the next drop in surgery being run at Horsham Museum on Thursday 23 May 2013.

Local businesses, organisations and residents are invited to attend the surgeries and share their views on the town centre with the Cabinet Member.

Cllr Croft is leading on developing Horsham District Council’s strategy and actions to build on Horsham town’s success as a place in which time is truly well spent.  If anyone has thoughts and ideas on how the ‘Horsham Experience’ can be improved, priorities for its management or would like to volunteer to get involved with the Council’s projects and initiatives in partnership with others then they are invited to come along.

The next surgery will take place on Thursday 23 May 2013 from 11:30am – 1:30pm in the Hurst Room in Horsham Museum and Art Gallery, The Causeway, Horsham.

Surgery dates for 2013 are as follows:

• Thursday 23 May 2013
• Thursday 25 July 2013
• Thursday 26 September 2013
• Thursday 28 November 2013

These surgeries fall on the fourth Thursday every other month. Anyone can drop in to the sessions on the day on a first come, first served basis.

Ten minute appointments can also be requested by contacting Stacey Dickson at Horsham District Council by emailing leisure@horsham.gov.uk or call 01403 215263.

A video of Cllr Helena Croft inviting people to the Horsham town centre surgeries can be viewed on Horsham District Council’s YouTube page (www.youtube.com/horshamdc).