Surrey council reorganisation plans published

Plans for how councils in Surrey could be reorganised into either two and three unitary authorities have been published.

Epsom & Ewell, Guildford, Reigate & Banstead, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath, Waverley and Woking borough councils have all expressed a preference for three new authorities, while Surrey County Council (SCC) and Elmbridge have suggested two.

The proposal for two councils has Spelthorne, Surrey Heath, Runnymede, Woking, Guildford and Waverley in the west authority; and Elmbridge, Mole Valley, Epsom & Ewell, Reigate & Banstead and Tandridge in the east.

For three unitary councils, Surrey Heath, Woking, Guildford and Waverley would be in the west; Mole Valley, Epsom & Ewell, Reigate & Banstead and Tandridge would be in the east; and Runnymede, Spelthorne and Elmbridge would be in the north.

SCC leader Tim Oliver said two councils "would save money, strengthen and simplify local government".

"Of course, consideration must be given to the differing levels of debt that the authorities would potentially inherit, and we're in talks with government about our request that the stranded debt be written off as well as providing financial support to those borough councils that need it," he added.

Mr Oliver said the proposal would also strengthen local engagement due to the potential creation of community-level boards, including health partners, police, councillors, residents' associations and voluntary groups.

SCC said the suggested authorities had similar levels of population, land area, household numbers, homelessness, house building targets, waste collection, business activity, pupil distribution, number of birth and death registrations, and total miles of public highways.

Eight of the eleven district and borough councils in the county are proposing three unitary councils.

They believe it is the best way to preserve local democracy and accountability, and ensure new councils align with Surrey's "existing economic and community identities".

Hannah Dalton, chair of the Surrey Leaders Group and chair of the Epsom & Ewell Borough Council Residents' Association, said there were still issues to be resolved, such as how debt would be managed.

She added: "Over the coming weeks and months, we will continue to work at pace towards a vision for the county that delivers for our residents and communities, that enables us to unlock the wider benefits that devolution can ultimately bring."

Councils will debate the proposals in the coming days, while Tandridge and Mole Valley, which are undecided, will make a final decision between the 6 and 8 May respectively.

The government is expected to make a decision on the final proposals by the end of 2025.

If approved, legislation will be passed to allow the changes and elections for new shadow unitary councils will be held in May 2026, with a view for the new councils to start in May 2027.

The new structure for local government would replace the current two-tier system of district, borough and county councils.

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