Community Governance Reviews

A Community Governance Review is a legal process whereby the council will consult with those living in the area, and other interested parties, on the most suitable ways of representing the people in the parishes identified in the review.

This means making sure that those living in the area, and other interested groups, have a say in how their local communities are represented.   

The review can consider one or more of the following options:   

• creating, merging, altering or abolishing parishes 

• the naming of parishes, the style of new parishes and the creation of town councils   

• the electoral arrangements for parishes (for instance, the ordinary year of election; council size; the number of councillors to be elected to the council, and parish warding)   

• grouping parishes under a common parish council or de-grouping parishes and 

• other types of local arrangements, including parish meetings. 

The review cannot: 

• change the number of councillors on Waverley Borough Council 

• change Waverley Borough Council ward boundaries or 

• change the amount of money that a parish council raises through your council tax (known as ‘precept’). 

The council is statutorily responsible for carrying out a Community Governance Review under Part 4 of the Local Government and Public Involvement In Public Health Act 2007.  

A Community Governance Review is required to take into account:  

• the impact of community governance arrangements on community cohesion; and 

• the size, population and boundaries of a local community or parish. 

The council is required to ensure that community governance within the area under review will: 

• be reflective of the identities and interests of the community in that area; and  

• be effective and convenient. 

Any other factors, such as council tax precept levels, cannot be considered. 

The council must consult with local government electors living in the area under review as well as any other individuals and organisations (including local authorities such as parish councils) who appear to have an interest in the review.  

Before making any recommendations, the council will take into account any representations received during the consultation period. The council must make all representations available for public viewing.

A Community Governance Review was conducted in 2022, and The Waverley Borough Council (Reorganisation of Community Governance) Order 2023 was published on 7 February 2023. It came into force on 1 April 2023. 

This Order gives effect to recommendations made by Waverley Borough council for the alteration of: 

• the name of the parish of Busbridge to the parish of Munstead and Tuesley 

• the name of the parish of Witley to the parish of Witley & Milford 

• the number of councillors for the parish of Alfold to be nine  

• the parish of Cranleigh shall comprise the areas of Cranleigh West and Cranleigh East and the number of councillors shall be seven in Cranleigh East and five in Cranleigh West.  

• the parish of Farnham shall comprise of the following areas and each area will have two councillors: 

  • Badshot Lea & Moor Park 

  • Bourne 

  • Castle 

  • Hale & Heath End 

  • North West 

  • Shortheath & Firgrove 

  • Weybourne 

  • Wrecclesham & Rowledge  

• The parish of Godalming shall comprise of the areas and number of councillors below: 

• The alteration of the boundaries in the following parish areas: 

This order was introduced following requests from two town councils as a result of the Waverley Borough Council ward boundaries introduced in May 2023.  

The electoral arrangements applied in respect of parish elections which were held on and after the ordinary day of election of councillors on Thursday 4 May 2023.