History of the Council

The status of your Council and how it functions, from Elizabeth I to the modern-day.

First Charter 1575
Godalming was granted its first charter of incorporation by Elizabeth I in 1575, this being confirmed by Charles II in 1666. It remained a Royal Borough until 1974 when most of its powers and functions were transferred by the Local Government Act 1972 to the Surrey County Council (responsible for Education, Highways, Libraries, Police and Fire Services, and Social Services) and Waverley Borough Council (responsible for Environmental and Leisure Services, Housing and Planning). Waverley was a newly formed Authority in 1972 with its headquarters in the town. Godalming lies within the parliamentary constituency of South West Surrey.

Godalming Town Council
The Town Council now has the legal status of a Parish Council and has a complement of 20 councillors and the style of "Town"; full ceremonial is observed at Full Council meetings and on civic occasions. The Town Mayor is elected annually and represents the Town Council at many functions as the principal citizen of the town.

The Town Council Offices
The Town Council has its offices in the Municipal Buildings in Bridge Street, adjacent to the Borough Hall and has user rights in the Waverley Council Chamber at Godalming. The ownership of the Old Town Hall (Pepperpot) lies with the Town Council. This is a Grade II Listed Building and is situated in a dominant position in the High Street. The Pepperpot is available for hire by members of the public and consists of a meeting room for approximately 35 persons and toilet and kitchen facilities. Public car parking is available nearby in Mint Street and South Street.

Main Functions
The Town Council's functions include the management of some 12 acres of allotment land at various sites throughout the town in addition to two cemeteries - the old cemetery at Nightingale Road (now closed) and the Eashing Cemetery in Franklyn Road which also contains a Garden of Remembrance. The Council has also built the Broadwater Park Community Centre adjacent to the JSJ Leisure Centre and other recreational facilities at that location. The Community Centre is used by a varied cross section of organisations and individuals and has proved to be a major asset to the community.

The Town Council has also recently taken over the running of the Wilfrid Noyce Community Centre in the centre of the town.

Another project undertaken by the Council has been the production of a Directory of Godalming which provides information about all local and voluntary organisations and other relevant services in the town. You can view this information on this website.

The Town Council has a number of other roles, one of the most important of which is commenting on planning applications submitted to Waverley Borough Council (the Planning Authority).

In recent years the Council has acted in the capacity of a watchdog during the building of the relief road and the town centre enhancement scheme in an effort to ensure that a pleasant environment is created and maintained for the local community. The Town Council is always seeking ways in which it can help to foster and encourage the community in the town.