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 in Worplesdon parish, with three tiers of council: parish, borough and county. The area a parish councillor covered was much smaller than a borough councillors’ 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: eg museum, the Lido, parks that GBC currently look after. Local amenities should hopefully be better maintained after by those who live in the area.

Many parish councils are party-free; ie 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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