WHAT THIS MEANS FOR GODALMING IN THE FUTURE

As councils become larger, strong local councils help ensure towns like Godalming continue to have a clear and visible voice.

Local Government Reorganisation will create larger unitary councils covering wider geographical areas.

As councils increase in size, town and parish councils often play a more prominent role in representing local communities and supporting local services.

Godalming Town Council is carefully considering how it can continue to serve the town effectively within this new structure.

What Will Not Change

Godalming Town Council will continue to:

• Remain an elected local authority
• Set its own town council precept
• Manage its existing assets and services
• Represent the interests of Godalming residents

Town and parish councils are not abolished as part of Local Government Reorganisation.

They remain an established part of local democracy.

Why Town Councils Become More Important Under Larger Authorities

When councils cover larger areas, they must balance priorities across many towns and communities.

Town councils can help ensure that local needs remain visible by:

• Focusing specifically on their own community
• Providing detailed local knowledge
• Responding quickly to neighbourhood issues
• Maintaining a visible and accessible local presence

This is not a new role — but it can become more significant when decision-making shifts to a wider geographical level.

Experience from other parts of the country already operating under a unitary system show that, as discretional services come under budgetary pressure, the unitary authority initiates discussions with towns and parishes to take over responsibility of local assets and services, sometimes with financial incentives.

Supporting Communities Locally

The Surrey Association of Local Councils has highlighted how town and parish councils can support communities during and after Local Government Reorganisation.

This includes helping to:

• Protect valued community assets
• Deliver neighbourhood-level services
• Support voluntary and charitable organisations
• Strengthen local democratic representation

You can read the Surrey Association of Local Councils’ Report – Strong Vibrant Communites here.

What This Could Mean in Practice

Looking ahead, Godalming Town Council will continue to:

• Manage local open spaces and community buildings
• Support voluntary organisations and community initiatives
• Deliver local events and activities
• Represent local priorities within the new West Surrey authority

Where appropriate, the Council may also consider whether additional responsibilities or assets could be managed locally.

Any such proposals would be:

• Carefully evaluated
• Subject to financial assessment
• Discussed publicly with residents

 Financial Responsibility

If future proposals involve:

• Significant capital investment
• Long-term borrowing
• Additional ongoing costs

Residents would be fully consulted before any decisions are made.

The Council’s approach is to balance local stewardship with financial responsibility and long-term sustainability.

 A Long-Term Perspective

Local government structures may change.

The role of a town council — representing and supporting its community — remains consistent.

Godalming Town Council’s focus is not expansion for its own sake, but ensuring that:

• Local priorities remain visible
• Community assets are well managed
• Decisions affecting Godalming benefit from local knowledge

The Council will continue to adapt thoughtfully as the wider system of local government evolves.

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