Proposal for New West Surrey Parish Council Poised To Be Approved

Published on: 4 Sep, 2026
Updated on: 7 Sep, 2026

Residents backed moves to make Englefield Green a parish council. Google

By Chris Caulfield

local democracy reporter

While the vexed question as to whether Guildford should have a town council remains undecided, a Surrey village could get its own parish council after a proposal was overwhelmingly backed by residents in a consultation.

Englefield Green, which has its own special committee at Runnymede Borough Council, could be turned into its own local authority pending final approval by West Surrey Council.

The plans were backed by more than 80 per cent of those who took part in the council’s survey but there was still opposition from some within the borough against the idea.

Cllr Carl Mann

Speaking against the plans was the leader of Reform group, Cllr Carl Mann (Ottershaw).

He said his group could not support the bid, despite the clear majority of those who responded to the consultation.

He told the meeting on Tuesday (September 1): “We are currently undertaking the biggest reorganisation of local government in Surrey for decades.

“We are moving to unitary authorities with the intention of simplifying local government, reducing duplication, and delivering services more efficiently.

“Yet at precisely the same time, we are being asked to create another permanent tier of local government, another council, another administration, another set of elections, and importantly, another charge on residents’ council tax bills.”

He said there was only a response rate of 10.5 per cent and questioned whether that was sufficient enough to create what he called a new permanent tax raising authority.

However, he was unable to persuade the rest of the chamber.

Cllr Chris Howorth

Cllr Chris Howorth (Virginia Water), group leader of the Conservatives, had previously been against the creation of new parish councils but said it was hard to look past the strength of residents’ views.

He said: “This was 81.8 per cent of the electorate who voted were in favour of creating a parish.

“I cannot, in good conscience, do anything but support their expressed desire to have a parish council.

“It’s a major step forward for localism.”

The proposals were brought forwards by the community. They will require approval by West Surrey Council, but the intention is to have 14 serving councillors and an initial budget of £84,650 with the ability to generate money through additional taxes.

Cllr Mike Smith

It will be responsible for allotments in Englefield Green but is expected to take on additional responsibilities as it becomes more imbedded.

Cllr Mike Smith (Liberal Democrats, New Haw) added: “Parishes grow to fill the gaps left by the higher tiers where they are unable or unwilling to deliver services that the local community continue to want and value citing things such as grass cutting or cemetery maintenance, to income generating projects such as music festivals.”