Current situation

Dorking is currently unparished. None of the local representative groups has statutory status and they cannot raise funds via Council Tax. Nor are they bound by the Nolan standards on conduct in public life.

Proposed change

The initial round of consultation generated a small response but respondents were clearly in favour of forming a Civil Parish, so Mole Valley decided to put the proposal for a Parish Council to residents in the second consultation. The proposal is to create a new Parish Council with 14 councillors; there would be two wards corresponding to the boundaries of the current District Council wards. 

Issues to consider

• Representation
  • Currently Dorking has 6 District Councillors and 2 County Councillors who both cover wider areas. Under a Unitary council this will be cut to 2.
  • They provide support for residents, not just in their dealings with the Councils but also with other local service providers, such as police, health, housing associations, water companies, etc.
  • Will this allow residents (especially the disadvantaged and vulnerable in our area) to continue to get the same levels of support?
  • Could you trust a Unitary Council to protect our area from more intensive development?
• Assets in the community
  • Local community assets include the allotments at Coldharbour Lane, Ranmore & St Pauls; the Meadowbank Recreation Ground and King George V playing fields; open spaces in Cotmandene, Deepdene Gardens, Community Orchard, Glory Woods and The Nower; Goodwyns Community Centre, Hampstead & Mayflower Day Centres, Malthouse Youth Centre, Pippbrook House; Dorking Caves, Dorking Halls, Dorking Library, Meadowbank Bandstand, various statues, The Green Room, Dorking Cemetery, South St War Memorial, Meadowbank Soft Play & Café, Men’s Shed, South Street toilets.
  • As well as the Sports Centre, there are various sports facilities managed by local clubs – Meadowbank Football Ground, Pippbrook Bowling Club, Pixham Lane Sports Ground, Ranmore BMX course and Dorking Golf Club;
  • Many of these are too large and complex for a Parish Council to take on, but it would be able to consider whether it could manage some of them more effectively to meet local needs, rather than by a remote Unitary Council covering half a million people.
• Discretionary Services
  • These include support for local charities, such as Citizens Advice.
  • A Parish Council would be able to reflect any demand by local residents to support additional community activities and prioritise delivery by local suppliers who know the area. 
  • A Parish Council would also control the Neighbourhood element of any Community Infrastructure Levy raised on new developments, ensuring that these funds are spent on local priorities.
• Cost
  • The Parish Council would be funded by a charge raised as part of the Council Tax and initial estimates are that this is likely to start at between £20 and £80 per year

Local Liberal Democrats believe that, especially under a more remote Unitary Council, communities would generally benefit from having elected, accountable Parish Councils. 

We also note that all other English Unitary Councils outside major urban areas have ensured they have Civil Parishes across their entire area.  

Given small response to the initial consultation, it is really important that the views of as many electors as possible are considered. So we encourage all residents to review the arguments on both sides and reply to the consultation. 

Give us your views