Transfer of Assets Consultation

From May 2027, Surrey Heath Borough Council (SHBC) and Surrey County Council (SCC) will be abolished and replaced by a new West Surrey Unitary Authority, which will cover Guildford, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath, Waverley and Woking.

Windlesham Parish Council would like to hear residents’ views on which local assets and services are most important to keep at parish level. When other areas have moved to a unitary model, the new authority has often focused first on setting up its organisation and delivering the core services it is legally required to provide. This can mean that some optional or community-level services don’t receive the same level of attention during the transition.

Purpose & Scope
Windlesham Parish Council is seeking residents’ views on whether to adopt a package of community assets currently managed by Surrey Heath Borough Council (SHBC). This follows an earlier consultation and receipt of a detailed asset list.
SHBC has indicated it wishes to transfer ownership and responsibility for these assets as a single package, meaning the Parish Council may have to decide on the whole group rather than individual items.

The proposed package includes:
- Amenity grass areas and verges
- Open spaces and woodland
- Playgrounds and recreational areas
- Street furniture (e.g. benches, bins, bus shelters)
- Community buildings (some of which are leased out under fully repairing leases)
- The treatment of invasive species, specifically Japanese Knotweed and invasive bamboo, on any affected sites. This is to ensure the long-term health and usability of community green spaces.

A full list of assets being considered can be viewed using the following link: Asset Transfer List

If these assets are not adopted locally, responsibility will fall to the new unitary authority, which could mean:

- Reduced local influence over priorities and service standards
- Potential sale or repurposing of assets
- Lower focus on green spaces and community amenities
- Loss of opportunities for local income generation or community-led projects

Why a Second Consultation?
The Parish Council aims to:
- Provide clear information on the assets under consideration
- Share indicative costs and potential council tax implications
- Ensure residents can express their views before decisions are made
- Financial Overview
- Estimated annual maintenance cost: £111,891 (excluding one-off legal costs of approx. £30,000).

This would mean an estimated increase of £16.81 per year (£0.32 per week) for a Band D property (based on the 2025–26 tax base).

Costs include:
- Greenspace maintenance
- Playground inspections and renewals
- Tree works
- Street furniture upkeep
- Bus shelter maintenance
- Some figures remain indicative due to limited information from SHBC. Buildings on fully repairing leases would continue to have repairs covered by leaseholders, though the Parish Council would remain the landlord. SHBC has not yet confirmed lease income.

Estimated costs by village:
- Lightwater: £40,369
- Bagshot: £52,232
- Windlesham: £19,290
Some discretionary SHBC services may not continue if the Parish Council does not adopt these assets.

Your Views Matter
The Parish Council now seeks residents’ views on the proposed asset package and the future of these local community services.

Section 2: Support for Asset Adoption

Do you support Windlesham Parish Council taking on full responsibility for the identified local assets currently held by Surrey Heath Borough Council, rather than having them transferred to a future Unitary Authority?

Please note: SHBC has indicated that asset transfers will be offered as a package. Windlesham Parish Council will not have the option to select individual assets, and any decision will apply to the groups of assets proposed for transfer.