You can:

• Explore their business pages https://www.horsham.gov.uk/business
• Sign up to their business e-newsletter to stay up-to-date on the latest advice and support to help you start, manage and grown your business https://www.horsham.gov.uk/email-newsletters
• Engage with Start or Grow Your Own Business – a page of resources specifically for start ups Start or grow your own business | Horsham District Council
• Browse the Business Funding page, for links to local grants and other funding opportunities www.horsham.gov.uk/business/business-funding
• Join in with Business Training Programmes Business Training Programme | Horsham District Council
• Find useful resources and information to help your business to become more sustainable and unlock a host of business benefits www.horsham.gov.uk/business/net-zero-business
• Utilise the newly revised planning pre-application service to support your business on the path to submitting a successful application www.horsham.gov.uk/planning/planning-applications/pre-application-planning-advice
• Horsham District Wellbeing offers free services to help manage your stress, stay healthy and keep you and your business moving forward. To find out more, contact them on 01403 215111 or visit Horsham District Wellbeing / Provided by West Sussex County Council and Horsham District Council
• Here in Pulborough you can also engage with the Enterprising Horsham

 What is Enterprising Horsham?

 Horsham District Council has released a new Enterprising Horsham Economic Prospectus aimed at boosting local prosperity, supporting businesses and strengthening skills across the District.

 The strategy sets out five priorities:

• greener growth
• business support
• vibrant places
• investment attraction
• improved training pathways

 Initial actions include:

•  a Green Business Strategy
• refreshed business support
• sector‑specific plans
• skills group to help residents access better jobs.

The plans aim to keep Horsham competitive, resilient and attractive for businesses and communities.

Pulborough‑Focused Rural Benefits

Pulborough’s rural economy is set to benefit from Horsham District Council’s new Enterprising Horsham Economic Prospectus, which places strong emphasis on supporting villages, land‑based industries and local enterprise.

The Prospectus recognises the importance of rural communities like Pulborough, where small businesses, farms, creative industries and visitor‑economy operators form a vital part of the local economy.

Planned actions — including sector‑specific support for land‑based businesses, improved access to training, and a renewed focus on strengthening high streets and village centres — are expected to help rural enterprises adapt and grow.

For Pulborough, the strategy could mean better business advice, stronger links with training providers, more support for sustainable practices, and improved visibility for local producers and visitor attractions.

The Council says the Prospectus will help ensure rural communities remain vibrant, resilient and central to Horsham District’s future prosperity.

Click here to read the full prospectus.

Rural businesses benefit from sustainability grants

Beyond short‑term economic support, HDC is investing in long‑term resilience through the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) and Green LEAP grants. Several Pulborough‑area businesses have already benefited.

Architectural Plants, one of the area’s largest employers, installed 86 solar panels and battery storage with REPF support. The upgrade now powers irrigation pumps and laboratory facilities, cutting carbon emissions and reducing energy bills. The improvements also strengthen the business’s AP Homegrown apprenticeship programme, which provides training for young people entering horticulture.

Nearby, Jacob’s Bagels used REPF funding to install solar panels, achieving a reduction of more than 1.5 tonnes of carbon emissions. The bakery reports lower operating costs and improved long‑term sustainability.

Skills, innovation, and business engagement

HDC’s business engagement team continues to visit Pulborough employers to understand local challenges and connect them with funding, training, and apprenticeships. Officers have supported land‑based businesses, hospitality venues, and micro‑enterprises seeking advice on licensing, premises, and business rates.

The Council’s Net Zero Business Hub and climate network provide ongoing guidance for companies working towards carbon reduction targets.

A growing support ecosystem

Taken together, these measures form a multi‑layered support system for Pulborough’s business community. From crisis response to long‑term sustainability planning, HDC’s approach aims to help local enterprises survive economic shocks, reduce costs, and invest in greener, more resilient operations.

Local businesses can find more information on grants, training, and support via the Enterprising Horsham portal.

For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK, keeping up with these changes while managing everyday operations can be difficult.

With over 5.4 million SMEs in the UK making up 99% of all businesses, these organisations are vital to the economy. However, they face unique IT challenges that can impact growth, security, and efficiency.

1. Ransomware Attacks

Ransomware remains one of the most disruptive threats, encrypting systems and demanding payment for restoration. UK SMEs are particularly vulnerable due to limited cyber‑resilience planning.

How to reduce the risk

• Maintain offline, immutable backups.
• Apply security patches promptly.
• Train staff to spot phishing attempts.
• Implement endpoint detection and response (EDR).

Useful resource:

National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) ransomware guidance: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/ransomware/home

2. Phishing and Social Engineering

Attackers increasingly target people rather than systems. Phishing emails, fake invoices, and impersonation scams continue to rise.

How to reduce the risk

• Provide regular staff training.
• Use multi‑factor authentication (MFA).
• Deploy email filtering and anti‑spoofing controls (SPF, DKIM, DMARC).

Useful resource:

NCSC phishing guidance: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/phishing

3. Data Breaches and Poor Data Handling

Misconfigured systems, weak access controls, and accidental data leaks can lead to GDPR violations and reputational damage.

How to reduce the risk

• Enforce least‑privilege access.
• Encrypt sensitive data.
• Conduct regular data audits.
• Train staff on GDPR responsibilities.

Useful resource:

Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) data protection guidance: For organisations | ICO 

4. Weak Passwords and Credential Theft

Compromised passwords remain a leading cause of breaches. Attackers often use stolen credentials purchased on the dark web.

How to reduce the risk

• Require MFA for all accounts.
• Use password managers.
• Enforce strong password policies.
• Monitor for compromised credentials.

Useful resource:

NCSC password guidance: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/passwords

5. Outdated or Unpatched Software

Unpatched systems create easy entry points for attackers. Many high‑profile breaches exploit known vulnerabilities.

How to reduce the risk

• Enable automatic updates where possible.
• Maintain an asset inventory.
• Prioritise patching based on risk.

Useful resource:

NCSC vulnerability management guidance: Cyber security advice for small to medium sized organisations | National Cyber Security Centre - NCSC.GOV.UK

6. Insider Threats (Accidental or Malicious)

Employees, contractors, or volunteers can unintentionally expose systems—or deliberately misuse access.

How to reduce the risk

• Implement role‑based access controls.
• Monitor unusual account activity.
• Provide clear policies and training.
• Foster a positive, transparent culture.

Useful resource:  Reducing data exfiltration by malicious insiders | National Cyber Security Centre - NCSC.GOV.UK

7. Supply Chain and Third‑Party Risks

A business is only as secure as its suppliers. Attackers increasingly target smaller vendors to reach larger organisations.

How to reduce the risk

• Vet suppliers’ security practices.
• Include cyber clauses in contracts.
• Monitor third‑party access.
• Require MFA and secure file‑sharing.

Useful resource:

NCSC supply chain security guidance:  Supply chain security guidance | National Cyber Security Centre - NCSC.GOV.UK

8. Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attacks

DDoS attacks overwhelm websites or online services, causing downtime and financial loss.

How to reduce the risk

• Use DDoS protection services (often included in cloud hosting).
• Implement rate‑limiting and traffic filtering.
• Prepare an incident response plan.

Useful resource:

NCSC DDoS guidance:  Denial of Service (DoS) guidance | National Cyber Security Centre - NCSC.GOV.UK

9. Cloud Misconfigurations

As more UK organisations move to Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and cloud hosting, misconfigurations have become a major cause of breaches.

How to reduce the risk

• Use secure default configurations.
• Enable logging and monitoring.
• Review access permissions regularly.
• Follow cloud provider security baselines.

Useful resource:

NCSC cloud security guidance: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/cloud

10. Lack of Incident Response Planning

Many organisations still lack a clear plan for responding to cyber incidents, leading to slower recovery and greater damage.

How to reduce the risk

• Create an incident response plan.
• Test it annually.
• Assign clear roles and responsibilities.
• Maintain contact details for key partners (IT support, hosting provider, insurers).

Useful resource:

NCSC incident management guidance:  Incident management | National Cyber Security Centre - NCSC.GOV.UK

Building a More Resilient Digital Future

Cyber threats will continue to evolve, but UK businesses can significantly reduce their risk by investing in people, processes, and secure technology. The most resilient organisations are those that:

• Treat cybersecurity as a leadership priority
• Build a culture of awareness and accountability
• Use trusted frameworks such as Cyber Essentials and ISO 27001
• Review and update their defences regularly

For many community‑based organisations, the first step is simply starting the conversation—openly, transparently, and with a commitment to continuous improvement.

Achieving net zero isn’t just a national ambition—it’s a local opportunity. Horsham District Council (HDC) has set clear climate goals and provides a wealth of guidance to help organisations reduce emissions, cut costs, and build resilience.

For businesses across the District, now is the moment to align with this direction of travel and demonstrate leadership in sustainability.

Why Net Zero Matters for Local Businesses

Reaching net zero means reducing greenhouse gas emissions as far as possible and balancing any remaining emissions through removal or offsetting. HDC defines this clearly in its climate documentation, emphasising that both direct and indirect emissions must be addressed.

For businesses, the benefits are tangible:

• Lower energy and fuel costs
• Greater resilience to future regulation
• Enhanced reputation with customers and partners
• Improved ability to attract investment and talent
• Contribution to a healthier, more sustainable local economy

Steps To Net Zero

Step 1: Understand Your Carbon Footprint

Before taking action, businesses need a clear picture of their emissions. Horsham District Council conducts an annual carbon audit of its own operations—an approach that businesses can mirror. In 2023/24, the Council’s audit identified emissions from buildings, fleet, water, waste, and procured goods and services.

Businesses can follow the same structure:

• Direct emissions: energy use in buildings, company vehicles
• Indirect emissions: purchased goods and services, waste, business travel, leased spaces

Useful starting point:

HDC’s overview of emissions and reduction targets

• Reducing the Council’s carbon emissions – Find out how they are doing it Reducing the Council's carbon emissions | Horsham District Council

Step 2: Improve Energy Efficiency in Buildings

Buildings are one of the largest carbon hotspots identified in the Council’s Climate Action Strategy.

Actions businesses can take:

• Switch to LED lighting
• Improve insulation and glazing
• Install smart meters and energy‑management systems
• Consider heat pumps or hybrid heating solutions
• Review energy tariffs and explore renewable electricity contracts

These measures often deliver immediate cost savings as well as carbon reductions.

Step 3: Rethink Transport and Logistics

Transport is another major emissions source across the District. The Council has already reduced its own direct emissions by electrifying parts of its fleet and switching to cleaner fuels.

Businesses can:

• Transition to electric or hybrid vehicles
• Encourage active travel (cycling, walking)
• Introduce car‑sharing schemes
• Optimise delivery routes
• Reduce unnecessary business travel through digital meetings

Step 4: Reduce Waste and Improve Resource Efficiency

The Climate Action Strategy highlights waste and circular economy principles as key system interventions.

Practical steps:

• Conduct a waste audit
• Reduce single‑use materials
• Reuse packaging and materials where possible
• Improve recycling facilities
• Work with suppliers to minimise waste in the supply chain

Step 5: Review Procurement and Supply Chains

Indirect emissions—those from purchased goods and services—make up a significant proportion of the Council’s own footprint. In 2019/20, procured goods and services accounted for nearly half of its total emissions.

Businesses can:

• Choose suppliers with strong sustainability credentials
• Request environmental data from vendors
• Prioritise local suppliers to reduce transport emissions
• Build sustainability criteria into procurement policies

Step 6: Explore Offsetting (Responsibly)

HDC’s Carbon Reduction Plan acknowledges that some emissions will remain and will require offsetting.

Businesses should:

• Prioritise reduction first
• Use high‑quality, verified offset schemes
• Consider local nature‑based solutions where possible

Step 7: Engage Staff and Customers

Behaviour change is one of the Council’s core “enablers” for climate action.

Ideas include:

• Staff training on sustainability
• Incentives for low‑carbon commuting
• Visible sustainability commitments in marketing
• Customer engagement campaigns

Step 8: Align with HDC’s Climate Action Strategy

The Council’s Climate Action Strategy provides a comprehensive roadmap for the District to reach net zero and climate resilience by 2050. It outlines enablers (governance, finance, education) and system interventions (buildings, transport, energy, waste, land use).

Businesses can use the Strategy to:

• Benchmark their own plans
• Identify partnership opportunities
• Understand local priorities and expectations

Further Information from HDC

Here are the most relevant HDC resources for businesses:

• Reducing the Council's carbon emissions | Horsham District Council

Overview of targets, emissions data, and reduction progress

• Climate Action Strategy

The District’s roadmap to net zero and climate resilience.

Horsham District's Climate Action Strategy

• Carbon Reduction Plan (2024–2030)

Detailed actions and pathways for reducing direct and indirect emissions

Horsham-Carbon-Audit.pdf

Final Thoughts

Businesses across Horsham District have a vital role to play in shaping a low‑carbon future. By taking practical steps—aligned with the Council’s strategy and supported by local resources—organisations can reduce costs, strengthen their reputation, and contribute to a thriving, sustainable District.