GALLERY
West Surrey Unitary - Your New Council
Local government is changing! In May 2027, Surrey County Council and Waverley Borough Council will disappear, to be replaced in this area by one Unitary
Council of West Surrey. This council will take over responsibilities in all areas of local government: social services, children’s services, highways, planning, social
housing, refuse collection and disposal, and others. The new ward will be composed of the communities of Brook, Churt, Dockenfield, Elstead, Frensham,
Hindhead, Thursley, Tilford and the houses and smaller settlements in between. I know the area well, having lived here for over 35 years, and already
representing part of it at Waverley Borough Council. The election on 7 May 2026 will elect two ‘shadow’ councillors for each ward in West Surrey. They
will work in tandem with existing councils and prepare for a complete transfer a year later.
Campaigns and Issues
- Local Government Reorganisation. We must get this right and keep crucial services going throughout the process. As a local resident who knows the area well,
I will do my level best to ensure that local concerns are not lost in the process. In particular, our excellent Parish Councils will stay, and I will make sure that they
are not overlooked, and support them to be given more powers.
- We have been told to amalgamate with other councils which have piled up massive debts, unlike Waverley whose money has always been well managed. The danger is that local people will have to assume part of other councils’ debts, and I will fight that as hard as I can.
- The government have imposed massive, unrealistic housing targets on this part of Surrey. As I have been doing as a Borough Councillor, I will fight against inappropriate development - recognising that some extra housing is necessary so that more local people, especially young ones, can live in the places they
want. However, once rural land is lost, it can never come back.
- Highways have always been a problem. I will oppose any cuts in highways investment so that our roads can become fit for purpose again.
- The skies over our heads are too noisy. I have opposed Farnborough Airport’s expansion plans and will campaign for better regulation to keep disturbance to a minimum.
Litter on the A3 - The Council are doing their job but would it not be better just to stop littering!
