Community Governance in North Holmwood

North and Mid Holmwood are currently not parished and are part of the Holmwoods & Beare Green ward. However they also have strong links to Dorking.  Nearby Holmwood Parish Council is centred on South Holmwood. Neither Dorking nor North Holmwood has a Parish Council with statutory status and the ability to raise funds via Council Tax.

Some issues to consider in replying to the consultation:

• Representation
  • Currently North and Mid Holmwood have 3 District Councillors (whose Ward also covers Chart Downs, South Holmwood, Beare Green and Coldharbour) and 1 County Councillor covering Dorking South and the Holmwoods.   
  • Under the Unitary Council the area will have 2 (or possibly 3) Councillors who would cover the existing Ward, plus the rural Dorking Hills area, stretching from Ockley and Wallis Wood to Westcott.
  • 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 call on similar levels of support?
• Assets in the community
  • Local facilities include the King George V playing fields, the Bentsbrook allotments, Holmwoods Park and the Inholms Clay Pit, Stanecroft Care Home.
  • Nearby in Dorking community assets include various allotments; the Meadowbank Recreation Ground; various open spaces; Community and Day Centres, the Malthouse Youth Centre, Pippbrook House;, Dorking Halls, Dorking Library, the war memorial statues and public loos.
  • 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.
  • Would you wish control of their future to be decided by a remote Council covering half a million people? Could you trust it to protect them against renewed pressure for more housing?
• Discretionary Services
  • These include support for local charities, such as the Community Centre and Citizens Advice.
  • Several rural bus services also rely on grants from the County Council;
  • 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.
• Town or Parish Council
  • Do you want North Holmwood and Mid Holmwood to have their own Parish Council (perhaps linked to Chart Downs) funded by a precept raised as part of Council Tax?
  • If the Council decides to introduce Town and Parish Councils throughout the area, would you prefer North & Mid Holmwood to form its own Council (perhaps linked to Chart Downs), to be included in a Dorking Council, or to form a Council alongside South Holmwood?