I was a Godalming Town Councillor for 16 years and for all of those years I was a member of the Planning Committee (as were all Town Councillors). Reporters from the Surrey Advertiser and other local papers would attend and often Godalming Freeman, John Young, representing the Godalming Trust would listen to our deliberations and contribute his wisdom. Residents would also sit in the Public Gallery. Plans and their effect on neighbours and the street scene were always scrutinised with care and in public.
The Town Council was not empowered to make planning decisions but it was a key part of the consultation process and Waverley Borough Council would duly take note.
In the 2016-2017 Annual Report, it notes that the Planning Committee made comments on 385 planning applications. Planning matters!
Planning is one of the roles and functions of Town and Parish councils and they must be notified about all planning applications in their area. The Government recently strengthened the powers of Local Councils with the Localism Act. Local views matter!
Yet, Godalming Town Council has voted to discontinue Planning. Do they not care how our town grows and develops? Where are the local checks and balances?
It would seem that their decision was based on the premise that many Godalming Town Councillors are also Borough Councillors. Sometimes they are, and sometimes they are not. But, the effect is that Godalming Town Councillors do not express any view on local planning applications. What is the point of the Town Council?
This week Godalming Town Council will not offer a view about the change of use and development of The Anchor Pub, or 11 new dwellings in Filmer Grove or 99 new dwellings at Westbrook Mills, Borough Road. In what respect does Godalming Town Council speak, or rather, not speak for you?