Community Governance Review

Draft recommendations for Windlesham Parish - Bagshot and Lightwater villages

The current parish of Windlesham comprises the three villages of Bagshot, Lightwater and Windlesham. It has a single parish council, with warding arrangements. 

The Council is recommending that: 

1.     The current boundary of Windlesham parish is altered, with the effect of removing Windlesham village (on the Windlesham Neighbourhood Plan boundary) from the Parish.

2.     A new parish is created for Windlesham village. 

The changes are expected to come into effect in April 2027.

 

Changes to Ownership of Assets

 The proposed changes mean there could be changes to the ownership of assets owned jointly by the parish covering the three villages. The transfer of assets would be conducted in accordance with legislation. 

This means any assets within Bagshot and Lightwater villages would remain within the existing parish council’s ownership and control. This includes assets such as Hook Mill Lane Depot, Hook Mill Lane Allotments, and any playgrounds and green spaces within Bagshot and Lightwater villages. 

Assets that fall within Windlesham village such as Kings Lane playground and Windlesham War Memorial would transfer to the ownership and control of the new parish council for Windlesham. 

Any balances held by the existing Parish Council would be split in line with the population for each area: Bagshot and Lightwater Parish Council would retain 75% of the parish’s balances and the new Windlesham parish council would receive 25% of the balances. Any Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) contributions received will remain with/transfer to the parish council for the area to which the contribution related. 

It is anticipated that the current Burial Authority would split into separate Burial Authorities, with the cemeteries managed by the corresponding authority for that parish area. 

The more specific consequential decisions and impacts for the three villages are set out below. 

Bagshot and Lightwater villages

The recommendations mean that the area of the parish and the assets managed by the existing Parish Council will alter in April 2027. 

There could be a small effect on the running costs for the parish council. Indicative information from the existing Windlesham Parish Council suggests that the proposed changes could increase the precept for Bagshot and Lightwater residents by up to 1%. As the current parish council will continue in an altered form, it will be responsible for setting a budget and precept for the revised parish council when the new arrangements come into place in April 2027. 

Residents of Bagshot and Lightwater villages are specifically asked to provide views on the following matters: 

• The name of the altered parish and parish council
• The number of councillors per ward

About You

Proposals for the parish

The Draft Recommendations propose the removal of Windlesham from the existing parish area, creating a new parish for Windlesham and retaining a combined parish council for Bagshot & Lightwater.

Parish name and style

The Council is recommending that the altered parish Council is called Bagshot and Lightwater Parish Council, but is seeking residents’ feedback on this proposal.

Number of Councillors 

The Council has reviewed the number of parish councillors in neighbouring parishes (which currently ranges from 1:350 to 1:597 councillor:electors), along with the number of candidates standing for election in recent years and recommends that 7 councillors are elected to both Bagshot and Lightwater wards. This will provide a ratio of 1:702 councillor:electors for Bagshot electors and 1:767 for councillor:electors for Lightwater councillors.