Letter: Would a Guildford Town Council Simply Be a GBC Version 2.0?

Published on: 9 Jan, 2026
Updated on: 8 Jan, 2026

From David Uzzell

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

How ironic. Guildford Borough Council (GBC) is concerned that the town wards of the borough are not represented by a parish council and ought to be, in the light of the establishment of the new West Surrey Unitary Authority.

The purpose of parish councils is to bring local democracy to a genuinely local area – a role they have fulfilled in rural areas since 1894.

In 1978 the residents of Friary Ward, at the request of GBC, undertook a survey to support an application to establish a parish council under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1972 – an initiative actively encouraged by the government of the day (politicians rely on people having no memory).

The then Policy and Resources Committee of GBC stated that it “considered it desirable that affected local residents be canvassed”. Just under one-third of all households were surveyed, of whom 72 per cent supported the proposal.

Despite this, the committee rejected the application by twelve votes to one, citing two objections: that a parish council would have the power to levy a precept (an addition to council tax to fund its operation and services) and, as a matter of principle, parish councils were unsuitable for urban areas – an argument that directly contradicted the intent of the legislation.

If parish councils are to be established in an urban area, should they not be comparable in scale to the existing 18 rural parish councils, which have an average population of around 3,230? Creating one urban parish council for some 75,000 people contradicts the intended purpose.

GBC states that “If created, the new parish council … would have a strong connection to local communities, provide local services, and aim to bridge any gap between residents and the new, much larger, West Surrey Unitary Authority.” Yet GBC itself currently lacks a strong connection to local communities, so on what basis can it claim the new council will achieve this?

Could GBC please provide details?

It is also claimed the new parish council could provide local services. The currently legislation is very restrictive concerning what services parish councils can provide. What local services are envisioned, and if these are important why hasn’t the present council provided them? More details please.

If parish councils are to be created, should not every ward have one and not simply re-badge GBC as a parish council. This would truly strengthen democracy at the local level and fulfil the true purpose of a parish council?

Guildford Borough Council is to make the final decision, but does consultation merely involve asking residents, as in 1978, only to proceed with whatever the council considers desirable if the residents’ response is considered the “wrong” one?

This sounds like GBC version 2.0. Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose.

Responses to Letter: Would a Guildford Town Council Simply Be a GBC Version 2.0?

Anthony Mallard Reply

January 9, 2026 at 2:33 pm

The articles by David Uzzell and Bernard Quoroll clearly set out the position of what would be, in effect, a parish council masquerading under the appearance of a town council.

It is to be deeply regretted that democracy is to be distanced from the electorate, by the present central government, for little if any real gain. Indeed, it is believed by some to cost more than the present arrangements.

Nevertheless, to replace representation within borough and county councils locally by a Guildford Town Council will not achieve the outcome the promoters of the initiative seek to attain. It will have little beyond limited consultative powers and there will be, at a time of financial hardship, additional costs to local residents.

Sad, though it be that a significant historic element of Guildford shall cease to exist it is pie in the sky to think the current proposal will replace it.