Potential Transfer of Assets Consultation Now Open!

Published: 26 November 2025

Future of Local Assets and Services – Have Your Say

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, covering Guildford, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath, Waverley and Woking.

Windlesham Parish Council wants your 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 receive less attention during the transition.

 No decision has been made. The Parish Council will consider whether to adopt the package, seek variations, adopt in phases, or not adopt, in light of consultation feedback, due diligence and legal/financial advice.

 

Purpose and Scope

We are asking residents whether the Parish Council should adopt a package of community assets currently managed by 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 need to decide on the whole group rather than individual items. However, the Council may seek variations or decline the transfer if consultation identifies compelling reasons.

The proposed package includes:
• Amenity grass areas and verges
• Open spaces and woodland
• Playgrounds and recreational areas
• Street furniture (benches, bins, bus shelters)
• Community buildings (some leased under fully repairing leases)
• Treatment of invasive species (Japanese Knotweed and bamboo)
A full list of assets can be viewed here: Asset Transfer List

What Happens If We Do Not Adopt These Assets?

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 Are We Consulting Again?

We want 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. Where SHBC information is limited, we have used known current contract prices. We will publish any updated figures received during the consultation

Estimated costs by village:
• Lightwater: £40,369
• Bagshot: £52,232
• Windlesham: £19,290

Your Views Matter

Please tell us what you think about the proposed asset package and the future of these local community services.

Take part in the consultation here: Survey Monkey Link.

Paper copies are available from the Parish Office; responses can be made online, by email, by post or by phone. If you need alternative formats, please contact us.

Closing date: Friday 6 February 2026

 After the consultation closes, we will publish a report summarising responses and our analysis. The Council will consider this report at a public meeting and will publish its decision and reasons

Data Protection 

Personal data will be processed in accordance with our data protection policy. Responses may be summarised anonymously in the published report