Letter: All Significant Decisions Will Be Taken by the New West Surrey Council in Future

Published on: 8 Jan, 2026
Updated on: 8 Jan, 2026

From Bernard Quoroll

former local authority CEO

In response to: Borough Council Launches Second Stage of Town Council Consultation

Chippenham Town Council in unitary Wiltshire, serving a population roughly half the size of Guildford has an annual precept of £321.68 for a band D property (£32 per month). (Its town clerk is paid in the range £105k – £110k. Five other employees are paid more than 50k).

Quoting just the possible precept in a start-up year is to mislead by omission.

Town councils do have their uses in running very local services but to say that such a body would “aim to bridge any gap between residents and the new, much larger, West Surrey unitary authority” is incredible, in the literal meaning of that word.

All significant decisions affecting the town will in future be taken by the West Surrey Council, a vast majority of whose elected councillors will not live in Guildford and who (despite what they might say) will be more concerned to look after their own electors.

Believing otherwise is an expectation for hope to triumph over experience. Guildford’s residents deserve better than half truths and platitudes.

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