Banstead Village

Banstead's petition to the Boundary Commission

In 1972, when plans for local government reorganisation were well under way, Banstead Urban District Council made efforts to remain a separate authority rather than be merged with any nearby council.

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England was established to settle the boundaries, names and electoral arrangements of the non-metropolitan districts which were due to come into existence in 1974. In June 1972, as part of that process, it received a petition from Banstead. Stopping on their way into the Commission, which sat at Church House, London, are (l to r) Mr J. Foster Firth, chairman of the Banstead Action Committee; Mr Ivan Brown, Clerk of Banstead Council; Cllr Mrs Erica Dunsmore, chairman of the Council; and Capt Walter Elliot, MP for Carshalton and Banstead.

The petition was unsuccessful, and in 1974 Banstead Council ceased to be, and was merged with Reigate to form Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, which still flourishes today.