Have your say
We are asking for your views on a proposal to merge Caterham on the Hill and Caterham Valley parish councils into one parish council covering all of Caterham. This consultation is part of a review to make sure local councils reflect the identity and needs of the community.
What do parish councils do?
Both parish councils run local events and services, like fun days, Christmas lights and park activities. This second consultation is part of a review to make sure local councils reflect the identity and needs of the community.
Background
In August 2025, we held the first consultation to get views on a draft plan to merge Caterham on the Hill Parish Council and Caterham Valley Parish Council into one parish council covering all of Caterham.
On 2 September 2025, the Review Panel considered these views and the draft recommendations were published and presented at the Strategy & Resources Committee on 25 September 2025.
Following committee approval, we have started a second consultation on the proposed draft recommendations.
What are the draft recommendations?
The draft recommendations we are consulting on include:
- Merging Caterham on the Hill and Caterham Valley into a new Caterham parish council.
- Keeping the total number of parish councillors at 15 (the current total across both parish councils).
- Dividing the new parish council into five wards, using the current boundaries.
- Keeping the existing ward names: Harestone, Portley, Queens Park, Valley and Westway.
- Keeping the number of councillors in each ward the same as it is now:
- Westway - four councillors.
- Harestone, Queens Park, Valley each have three councillors.
- Portley - two councillors.
- Holding the first election for the new parish council in May 2026, with future elections in line with neighbouring parish councils.
Budget
If the two parish councils are merged after this consultation, we would need to set the first precept for the new Caterham parish. A precept is the amount residents’ pay as part of their council tax. Based on the budgets of both councils a draft precept could be: £36.50. This is an estimate, based on draft budgets for 2026/2027.
What happens next?
We will analyse the responses and present them to committee in January 2026, when a decision on the final recommendations will be made.
How to take part
This consultation starts on Monday 10 November to Sunday 7 December.
- Online: By completing this survey.
- Visit: Your local Caterham library and complete a paper or online survey.
- Post: Democratic Services, Tandridge District Council, The Council Offices, 8 Station Road East, Oxted, Surrey RH8 0BT.
- E-mail: it to the Democratic Services Team at democraticservices@tandridge.gov.uk.
Confidentiality
All responses will be treated confidentially and used only for the purposes of this consultation.
Need help or more information?
If you have any questions or require support completing the survey, please e-mail the Democratic Services Team.
Community Governance Review
This consultation is part of a formal legal process called a Community Governance Review. To find out more about the review, please see the terms of reference.