Parish Council Councillors

Two local Councils representing Chilworth Village

Unusually, Chilworth is represented by two local Councils; Shalford Community Council represents that part of Chilworth to the west of Blacksmith’s Lane and St Martha Parish Council, that part to the east of Blacksmith’s Lane. Both Councils have arrangements in place to understand what the other council is doing, and we are increasingly seeing opportunities to work much more closely together in relation to matters that affect Chilworth as a whole. These might include parking and speed restrictions, the Gunpowder Mills site and climate change initiatives.

Would you like to help keep the Parish a pleasant and safe place to live in? A Parish Councillor is an enjoyable way of contributing to your community and helping to make it a better place in which to live and work. Would you like to make a difference to what happens in your Parish?

• Are you interested in planning and development?
• Are you interested in local issues and concerns?
• Could you be a voice for the people of the Parish?
• Would you like to do something to support your community?

Parish Councils are the most local part of our democratic system and are closest to the public. Please consider joining St Martha Parish Council and see what difference you can make to your local community.

Why not come along to a Parish Council Meeting – talk to Councillors and see how a Council Meeting works! Monthly meetings are held in the evening, at Chilworth Village Hall, the date of the next meeting is shown on the Meetings Page. If you feel you could contribute to the work of the Council and would like to be considered for this role, please contact the Parish Clerk, Anne Tait – telephone: 07976 778864, or e-mail: [email protected]

What is a Parish or Community Council?

The Council is a non- political organisation with no affiliations to any political party or lobbying group.

What do Councillors do?

Councillors are the champions of their community and give residents a voice on the decisions the Council makes. It is a voluntary role, and we welcome support from people with as wide a range of skills and experience as possible. Becoming a Councillor will allow you to make a real difference in your community by engaging with residents, local groups and businesses to find out their needs; making decisions on which services and projects the council should take forward; and getting involved locally to ensure the services are meeting your community’s needs.

Our focus is to try and bring about change where necessary and to protect and develop the best things about our villages and make representation to other organisations, principally Guildford Borough Council and Surrey County Council for the benefit of our residents. We have a good relationship with both these Councils, and other relevant local bodies such as the Surrey Hills Board, local churches and surrounding Parish Councils, working in tandem with them whenever we can.

In general, all our Councillors will attend our monthly and one other committee meeting each month relating to the areas of council work they have chosen to be involved with. This normally requires a maximum commitment of about 4-5hrs a month on top of the meetings. If you are interested in making your village or local community a better place to live, and think you can help make a difference, please get in touch with the Clerk or any of the Councillors, we would love to hear from you.