Farnham Residents Councillors Quit Waverley Coalition

Published on: 23 Feb, 2026
Updated on: 26 Feb, 2026

Waverley Borough Council Chris Caulfield

The Liberal Democrats are now running Waverley Borough Council as a minority administration following the withdrawal of the Farnham Residents Group from its coalition with the Lib Dems.

Tensions over car parking charges in Farnham, the way WBC was enforcing Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) charges and the leadership style are understood to have been major bones of contention leading to the decision.

The decision makes the Farnham Residents and Unaligned Independent Group the official opposition as Cllr Maxine Gale (Ind) is to join the group making it one member bigger than the Tories.

Cllr Kika Mirylees

This is despite Cllr Kika Mirylees’, decision to leave the Farnham Group, and but stay on the Executive Committee as an Independent. Although not part of the Lib Dem Group, it is thought likely she will support the Lib Dems in any critical vote.

Discounting absences, only if all non-Lib Dem councillors, including Cllr Mirylees, voted together could they defeat the Lib Dems.

There are 50 councillors at WBC with the groups divided thus:

24 Liberal Democrats
12 Farnham Resident (11) plus Maxine Gale
11 Conservative
2 Independents
1 Green

It was a decision by the Lib Dems to try and press through yet more parking increases in the next budget that is believed to have been the final straw for the Farnham residents.

Cllr George Murray

Cllr George Murray, leader of Farnham Residents Group, said in a statement: “For five years, we’ve been proud to help lead a bold, cross‑party coalition that broke decades of single‑party rule.

Liberal Democrat, Farnham Residents, Labour and Green councillors proved that collaboration can deliver real results for local people. And we’ve shown that when politics is built on respect and shared purpose, communities benefit.

“But over recent months, that spirit has faded. Decisions that should be shaped by all partners have increasingly been made elsewhere, with little meaningful input from Farnham Residents councillors. The open, cooperative approach that once defined this administration has been replaced by something more centralised, and far less transparent.

“And let’s be clear: our members have never been passive passengers. We’ve been fighting for the issues that matter to Farnham — from securing fairer parking support for our town, to standing alongside residents battling the injustice of the current CIL system.

“Our councillors have been working relentlessly, constructively, and with integrity. But when our voices are no longer heard, we cannot pretend the partnership is still functioning.

“Right now, we are neither fully in nor fully out of the administration. That helps no one — not us, not the Council, and certainly not residents. So we are choosing clarity. We will step away and operate as an independent, principled voice in the Chamber.

“We will support the Executive where it acts in the best interests of our communities. And we will challenge it — firmly and openly — where it does not.

“As we look ahead to the Unitary Elections, we hope all parties will rediscover the collaborative spirit that once made Waverley’s governance a model of partnership. The transition from Waverley to West Surrey must be handled with honesty, cooperation and a laser‑focus on residents’ needs.”

Waverley Lib Dems were invited to comment.