WHAT THIS MEANS FOR RESIDENTS

Local Government Reorganisation will change how local government is structured in Surrey, but it does not mean services will suddenly stop or disappear.

The main change is where decisions are made and how services are organised.

 What will change in practical terms?

From April 2027, the current two-tier system will end.

Instead of Surrey County Council and Waverley Borough Council, a single West Surrey Unitary Authority will be responsible for the majority of local government services.

In practical terms this means:

• One council delivering most local services
• One group of councillors responsible for those services
• One organisation serving a much larger population and geographical area

This represents a significant change in how local government operates across the area.

Will services continue?

Services will continue to be provided by Surrey County Council and Waverley Borough Council throughout the transition period, which runs from May 2026 to 31 March 2027.

From 1 April 2027, responsibility for those services will transfer to the new Unitary Authority.

For residents, most day-to-day services are expected to continue operating in broadly the same way in the early stages. The main difference will be which council manages those services. It is hoped that residents will notice little or no change in the services they receive.

However, experience in other parts of the country that have moved to unitary councils shows that larger authorities often need to prioritise statutory services, meaning that discretionary services are often reduced or removed.

DECISIONS WILL BE MADE ACROSS A LARGER AREA

At present, decisions affecting Godalming are made by two councils:

• Surrey County Council –services such as highways, education and social care.
• Waverley Borough Council –services such as planning, waste collection, housing and local amenities.

From April 2027 these responsibilities will sit within the West Surrey Unitary Authority, which will serve many towns and communities across a much larger area.

Councillors will represent larger electoral divisions, and decisions affecting Godalming will be taken within a council responsible for a significantly larger population.

GODALMING’S INFLUENCE WILL FORM PART OF A WIDER AUTHORITY

Godalming currently represents around 18% of the population of Waverley Borough, giving the town a strong voice in borough-level decision making..

Within the new Unitary Authority, Godalming will be one community within a council serving several hundred thousand residents.

Residents will still elect councillors, but decisions will increasingly be taken across a wider geography. This means the influence of individual towns will inevitably be more diluted than under the current system.

GODALMING TOWN COUNCIL WILL REMAIN THE TOWN’S LOCAL VOICE

Town and parish councils are not abolished as part of local government reorganisation.

Godalming Town Council will continue to:

• Represent the interests of the town and its residents
• Manage local facilities and community assets
• Support community initiatives and organisations
• Set a local town council precept
• Work with other councils and organisations on matters affecting Godalming

As decision-making moves to a larger authority, the Town Council’s role as Godalming’s local advocate becomes even more important.

WHY HAVING A TOWN COUNCIL MATTERS

Communities with a town or parish council are better placed to protect local services, manage community facilities and ensure their voice is heard within larger unitary authorities.

Not all areas within the new authority will have a town or parish council.

Godalming does.

This means the town will continue to have a dedicated local council focused entirely on Godalming, able to respond directly to the needs of residents and invest in the town’s future.

Across Surrey, town and parish councils already support a wide range of local services and community initiatives including parks, events, community facilities and environmental projects.  However, the mix of services they each provide varies considerably, reflecting local priorities and decision-making.

A LOCAL EXAMPLE: SUPPORTING YOUNG PEOPLE IN GODALMING

When youth services were reduced locally, Godalming Town Council consulted residents about how the town could respond.

Following strong community support, the Council raised its precept, secured funding and opened a dedicated youth centre at Broadwater in 2022, alongside a mobile youth service supporting young people across the parish.

The service provides safe places for young people to meet, learn new skills and access support, helping to reduce anti-social behaviour while supporting vulnerable young people.

This is an example of how a local council can respond directly to the needs of its community.

LOOKING AHEAD

Local Government Reorganisation will change the structure of local government in Surrey and the scale at which decisions are made.

Godalming Town Council will continue to play an important role in:

• representing the interests of the town
• supporting community life
• protecting local facilities and services
• ensuring Godalming’s voice continues to be heard.

In a larger unitary system, strong local councils will play an increasingly important role in ensuring communities like Godalming continue to shape the places where they live.

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