Community Governance Review: Bagshot and Lightwater
Submit your response (Bagshot and Lightwater)
Opening and closing
1 December 2025 until midnight on 26 January 2026
Open to
Bagshot and Lightwater residents only.
Your postcode must start with one of the following:
- GU18 5
- GU19 5
Consultation information
Surrey Heath Borough Council is seeking the views of residents of Bagshot and Lightwater in relation to possible changes to parish arrangements for Windlesham Parish Council.
If Windlesham village residents request their own parish council for Windlesham village only, the current parish structure will need to change. If a new parish council is not requested for Windlesham village, no change will occur.
If a change is required, options for what happens next for Bagshot and Lightwater include:
- Staying as one combined parish council (Bagshot & Lightwater together)
- Create separate parish councils (one for Bagshot and another for Lightwater)
What is a parish council?
A parish council is the most local level of government, representing a specific community, focusing on local issues.
It manages community amenities such as allotments, village greens, cemeteries and community centres, supporting projects like play areas, footpaths,
and community events.
Parish councils also act as the voice of the community, for example by providing formal input on planning applications and other local decisions as a statutory consultee.
Currently Windlesham Parish Council covers the villages of Bagshot, Lightwater and Windlesham.
What happens to Parish funds?
If the current parish splits, any money held by Windlesham Parish Council will be split in line with the populations of each area. Lightwater would receive 39% and Bagshot 36% or if combined, they would receive 75% of current balances.
What happens to Parish assets?
Assets such as land or buildings owned by Windlesham Parish Council would transfer to the new parish in which they are located. This new parish council would then be responsible for maintenance and future management.
For example:
- A standalone Bagshot parish council would own and be responsible for assets such as School Lane Field and Freemantle Road recreation grounds.
- A Lightwater parish council would own and be responsible for assets such as the Hook Mill Lane Allotments and Lightwater Recreation Ground.
If a combined parish is agreed, these assets would be owned and maintained collectively.
Considerations
Residents should consider both the pro and cons when forming a new Parish Council such as increased local focus against less spending power.
More information
For more information please view the frequently asked questions for Windlesham Parish. The document includes more information for residents of Bagshot, Lightwater and Windlesham on what the consultation covers and how it could affect them.
How to respond
Complete the online form on the link below or call 01276 707100.