Community Governance in Westcott
Based on the results of the initial consultation, the Community Governance Review proposes creating a Parish Council for Westcott with 9 councillors elected every four years.
Current situation
Westcott is currently not parished. The Village Association does not have statutory status and cannot raise funds via Council Tax. It is also not 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 Parish Council, 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 9 councillors.
Issues to consider
- Representation
- Westcott is currently represented by 3 District Councillors (whose Ward also includes Mickleham, Westhumble, Wotton, Abinger & Ockley) and a County Councillor who covers the whole Dorking Hills area. Under the Unitary Council it will have two Councillors covering the Dorking Rural ward.
- 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 see elected 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 include the Cradhurst Recreation Ground.
- A Parish Council would be able to consider whether there is local demand for community assets such as allotments and, if so, whether it could manage them more effectively to meet local needs, rather than by a remote Unitary Council covering half a million people.
- Discretionary Services
- Various rural bus services depend on a subsidy from the County Council;
- 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 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.
- 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.