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Executive recommends a Community Governance Review for Guildford Town

View of Guildford

A Community Governance Review (CGR) would make sure that those living in the area, and other interested groups, can have a say in how their local communities are represented.

The urban area of Guildford consists of ten wards with just over 52,000 electors in total. Sometimes referred to as the Guildford Town area, it is the only unparished area within the Borough. 

If the proposal for a CGR is approved by Council later this month, residents and stakeholders would be offered three options in a statutory consultation:

  • Await the formation of a new Unitary Authority
  • Establish a Neighbourhood Area Committee (NAC) for the unparished urban area of Guildford
  • Create one or more new parish councils for the unparished urban area of Guildford

Respondents would also be able to give reasons for their answers and submit alternative proposals.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Julia McShane said:

"It's really important that we find out what type of community empowerment or governance residents and stakeholders want.

"A Community Governance Review could help confirm whether there is public support for creating a Neighbourhood Area Committee or introducing a parish council for Guildford Town."

Two-phase public consultation proposed

We are proposing a two-phase approach to public consultation as part of the Community Governance Review. The first phase would be scheduled to run from 5 August to 28 September 2025.

Feedback from the initial consultation would help shape the draft recommendations, which would be presented to Council later in the year. A second phase of consultation might then follow. 

The earliest possible date for elections to any new parish council would be May 2027. A Neighbourhood Area Committee (NAC) could potentially be established sooner.

Find out more

You can read the report in full here: Community Governance Review relating to the unparished urban area of Guildford (opens new window)

The draft terms of reference (opens new window) for a Community Governance Review for the urban area of Guildford set out:

  • the process
  • timing
  • estimated costs

Published 18 July 2025.