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Community Governance Review for the unparished urban area of Guildford - Stage 2

This was the second stage of this Community Governance Review (CGR). We were seeking views on detailed proposals for how a parish council for Guildford Town could be set up. 

This CGR proposed the creation of a new parish council for 'the unparished urban area of Guildford'. This area is the only part of our borough without a parish or town council. 

Setting up a parish council would ensure that residents across central Guildford have elected parish councillors making decisions about local, parish-level services. 

Did this consultation affect you? 

Map of boundary for Guildford Town Community Governance Review

The outcome of this CGR  affects these ten wards: 

  • Bellfields and Slyfield 
  • Burpham  
  • Castle 
  • Merrow 
  • Onslow 
  • St Nicolas 
  • Stoke 
  • Stoughton North 
  • Stoughton South 
  • Westborough 

What we consulted on 

We wanted to hear whether you agreed with our draft proposals to create a new parish council. Our draft recommendations were to: 

  • Create a parish area called 'Guildford' to cover the existing ten borough wards that are currently unparished. 
  • Form 'Guildford Parish Council' to serve the parish area. 
  • Name the ten parish wards the same as the existing ten borough wards. 
  • Elect 24 parish councillors to represent the ten wards that make up the parish area. 
  • Charge a precept (a new increase to the amount of council tax paid by each household) to pay for the running of the parish council and the services it may provide. 

Ward

Number of parish councillors to be elected 
Bellfields and Slyfield2
Burpham2
Castle3
Merrow3
Onslow3
St Nicolas1
Stoke3
Stoughton North2
Stoughton South2
Westborough3

 

Although the new council must initially be set up as a parish council, it could decide to call itself a 'town council'. It could then have a ceremonial 'Mayor of Guildford'. 

What services would the new parish council offer? 

To begin with, a new parish council would have responsibilities for things like allotments and representing the community on planning matters.  

Later it could negotiate with the new unitary authority, landowners and other partners to take on more responsibilities.  

Would my council tax increase? 

Setting up a parish council will affect council tax bills. The amount added to council tax bills to fund a parish council is called a 'precept'.  

Parish councils set their own precept each year, which pays for the running of the parish council and the services it provides.  

The precept for a new Guildford Parish Council was estimated to be between £60 and £100 for a Band D property for the first year. That's about £5 to £8.34 a month. The Order creating a parish council must include a figure for its first year precept. In the paper considered at the Extraordinary Council meeting on Monday 16 March option 3 recommended an annual precept for a Band D property of approximately £69 - £5.75 per month.

More FAQs

How people responded to the consultation 

People could complete the questionnaire online or use a printed questionnaire. Those living in the unparished urban area of Guildford received an information pack to their household. Longer responses could be submitted by email or post.

What is the deadline for this consultation? 

This consultation has now closed.

Where could people find out more information? 

We held an online event to explain more about this Community Governance Review and answer questions.  Pop-up events also took place:

  • outside the Guildhall on Sunday 16 November and Tuesday 3 February, 2026
  • at the Oak Café, St Peter's Community Church, Bellfields on Tuesday 17 February 2026
  • at the Hive on Thursday 26 February 2026

Community Governance Review brochure 

CGR brochure (PDF, 2 MB)

What was the outcome of the Community Governance Review?

We analysed questionnaire results and wrote a report with final recommendations that went to Full Council on Monday 16 March 2026.

Read the report to Full council (opens new window)

After the consultation started, the Surrey (Structural Changes) Order 2026 came into force, removing from Guildford Borough Council some of its powers relating to Community Governance Reviews, including the power to create new parish councils. As of 10 March 2026, this power rests with the West Surrey shadow authority once elected.

Option 3 was approved

We will recommend to the executive of the future West Surrey shadow authority that it creates a parish council for Guildford from 1 April 2027 (as per the draft Order at appendix 5 to the report to Full council) 

Councillors also approved the use of up to £300,000 from the Medium Term Financial Plan reserve to cover the start-up costs for the new parish council, if the West Surrey shadow authority decides to create it.

What happens next? 

  • From May 2026: We will make the above recommendations to the elected West Surrey shadow authority. If approved by them the first steps to set up a Guildford Parish Council will begin. 
  • May 2027: the earliest possible date for elections to any new parish council. 

What happened in the first phase of consultation? 

The first stage of consultation took place between Tuesday 5 August and Sunday 28 September 2025. 

More information about the first stage of consultation.