Community Governance in Givons Grove

Givons Grove is currently not parished. Neither the local Estate Association nor Leatherhead Residents’ Association has statutory status and neither can raise funds via Council Tax.

Some issues to consider in replying to the consultation:

• Representation
  • Givon’s Grove currently has 4 elected councillors – 3 District Councillors covering Leatherhead South and one County councillor who covers the Dorking Hills area but not the town of Leatherhead.
  • Under a Unitary Council this will fall to 2 (or possibly 3) covering the Rural East of Mole Valley stretching from Headley in the North to Charlwood and Hookwood in the South. Most of this area already has Parish Councils.
  • 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.
  • Would you like to elect Parish Councillors so that disadvantaged and vulnerable residents in our area can continue to call on a similar level of support?
• Assets in the community
  • Local community assets in Leatherhead include the Barnett Wood Lane and Highlands Road allotments; recreation grounds at Fortyfoot & Kingston Road and the Red House Gardens playground; Fairfield Day Centre, North Leatherhead Communty Centre, Bridge Youth Club; Leatherhead Library, The Mansion, North St War Memorial, Beeches Care Home; Mansion House gardens, Park Gardens and the Riverside walk.
  • As well as the Leisure Centre, there are various sports facilities managed by clubs – Gymnastics, Cricket, Football and Padel.
  • Would you wish control of their future to be decided by a remote Council covering half a million people?
• Discretionary Services
  • These include the Fairfield Day Centre, the employment hub in the Swan Centre and support for local charities, such as the Community Hub and Citizens Advice.
  • A Town or 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.
• Parish or Town Council
  • Do you want Leatherhead to have its own Town Council funded by a precept raised as part of Council Tax?
  • If this goes ahead, would you prefer Givons Grove to form part of a Leatherhead Town Council or would you prefer it to join up with a more rural Parish Council such as Mickleham?