Letter: I Have Always Felt Deprived Without a Town Council

Published on: 20 Sep, 2026
Updated on: 20 Sep, 2026

From Tanya Scrivener

In response to: Guildford To Have Town Council with Estimated Extra Annual Tax of £69

I grew up in Worplesdon parish, with three tiers of council: parish, borough and county.

The area a parish councillor covered was much smaller than a borough councillor’s area, so they had a better idea of all the minute activities and problems of living in that area.

I have lived in Stoughton for 34 years, and always felt deprived that we did not have the more local level of council. Yes, it will cost us a little bit more, but similar to what the villages are already paying.

In return, it will keep a closer eye on what is important to us. A town council will probably get amenities devolved to them: for example, the museum, the Lido, parks that Guildford Borough Council currently look after. Local amenities should hopefully be better maintained after by those who live in the area.

Many parish councils are party-free – i.e. councillors do not represent a political party. Committees can work together without having to toe the party line. As my Mum used to say, “There is nothing political about a pot-hole!”

Without a town council, all our services will be very vulnerable, as we will be at the mercy of West Surrey Council.

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