Farnham council news
Farnham council news, newest first: decisions, budgets, council tax, bins and services, each linked to the council's own papers.
Top story
New Cranleigh Leisure Centre Now Due to Open Autumn 2028
Opening is now autumn 2028, not winter 2027. Waverley has signed Willmott Dixon to plan the £36m Passivhaus centre, with building to start early 2027.
More stories
Council
Farnham Parks Handover: 11 Transfers Still Not Done
Eleven Farnham rec grounds, allotments and open spaces promised to the town council are still with Waverley's lawyers, under six months before Waverley closes.
Sport
Farnham Town FC Memorial Ground Lease Approved for 25 Years
Waverley's Executive approved Farnham Town FC's new 25-year Memorial Ground lease on 6 October. West Surrey consent and planning permission come next.
Housing
48 Farnham Affordable Homes: £14.45m Buy Goes to 10 Nov Vote
Waverley's Executive backed buying 48 affordable homes at Waverley Lane and Wrecclesham Hill on 6 October. Full Council votes on the £14.45m on 10 November.
Housing
Waverley Council Homes: 191 Fire Doors Still Not Fitted
Waverley has fitted 688 of 879 planned fire doors in its council homes, and 555 water safety jobs were still open in September, 194 of them high risk.
Council
Tilford Mosque Security Kiosks Approved by Waverley
Waverley granted the Islamabad, Tilford, security kiosks despite 49 objections. The Aveley Lane extension and the Brook house rebuild were approved too.
Planning
Waverley CIL Review: 4 of 5 Householders Refused Refunds
Four of five homeowners who asked Waverley to review their CIL bills were turned down. One notice was defective and will be refunded. The six cases.
Council
West Surrey Council Names First Chief Executive on £236,485
Susan Halliwell will run the council that replaces Waverley from April 2027, on £236,485. Nine people applied and 147 chief executives were approached.
Council
Surrey Council Merger Not Paused: Waverley Ends April 2027
Surrey's council merger is not affected by the government's 7 September pause. Waverley still ends on 1 April 2027 and West Surrey Council still starts.
Housing
Waverley Landlord Fines Planned: £35,000 Illegal Eviction
What Waverley would fine landlords under the Renters' Rights Act: £35,000 for illegal eviction, £6,000 for refusing a tenant on benefits. Scrutiny, 10 Sept.
Council Tax
Waverley Backs Council Tax Relief for Terminally Ill
Waverley councillors voted 33 for, none against and 4 abstaining for council tax relief for terminally ill households. The Executive must now build the scheme.
Planning
Waverley Planning: Objectors Lose the Right to a Hearing
From 31 October, extensions and schemes of up to nine homes go to officers, however many object. Waverley's planning committee shrinks from 15 seats to 13.
Council
Milford Fire: £106,270 Bill the Council Wasn't Insured For
Waverley was underinsured on two Milford flats hit by fire in 2023. Councillors are asked to take £106,269.98 from housing reserves to settle the shortfall.
Bins
Farnham Bin Collections: Council to Buy £9m Lorry Fleet
Waverley decides on 1 September whether to extend Biffa's contract to 2035 and buy a £9m bin lorry fleet. The service bill rises about £1.29m a year.
Bins
Farnham Bin Collection Days: Bank Holidays Are Normal
Waverley collects as usual on every 2026 bank holiday, pausing only over Christmas. Your bin day, what goes in each bin, garden waste at £87.60, and tip hours.
Parking
Parking in Farnham: All Day Costs £6.80 or £24.40
A full day in Central car park is £24.40. In St James it is £6.80. Every Farnham tariff for 2026/27, the free Sundays, permits, Blue Badge and the station rate.
Council Tax
Farnham Council Tax Bands 2026/27: Band D Is £2,602.91
Band D in Farnham town is £2,602.91 for 2026/27, up £121.68. Every band A to H, who takes the money, all 21 parish rates, and the discounts that cut it.
Council
Waverley Weedkiller: £13,855 Study Into Cutting Glyphosate
Waverley has put £13,855 into a University of Surrey study on cutting weedkiller use. Surrey County Council still sprays pavements with glyphosate twice a year.
Bins
Farnham Christmas Bin Collections: Up to Two Days Late
Waverley's 2026 Christmas bin dates are due in early December. Last year collections ran up to two days late, with Saturday catch-ups and no garden waste.