As you may be aware, the Government is enacting a major reorganisation to our local councils.
Why does this matter to you?
This will have significant implications for local democracy and on the provision of services and our local taxes.
What is happening?
Surrey’s existing County, Borough and District Councils will cease to be in May 2027. In their place, Surrey will be subdivided into two or three Unitary Authorities covering larger areas of between 400,000 and 650,000 residents. The new Unitary Authorities will be formed in May 2026, giving a year to prepare them to take over the existing services in May 2027. Further down the line, Surrey may also be covered by a wider ‘Mayoral Strategic Authority’.
What are the options?
Surrey has been told to develop ‘unitary’ proposals which will bring together lower and upper tier local government services into new unitary councils. Surrey County Council and the 11 Borough and District Councils submitted final proposals on the 9th May. Surrey County Council, Elmbridge Borough Council and Mole Valley District Council LGR Final Submission proposed 2 Unitary Councils. Epsom & Ewell, Guildford, Reigate & Banstead, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath, Waverley, and Woking Borough Councils, along with Tandridge District Council proposed a 3 Unitary Structure in their LGR Final Submission. The Government will make a final decision on the structure in the autumn having reviewed the two sets of proposals and also consulted with the public and a wider group of organisations.
How can you influence the outcome?
The Government’s public consultation (Proposals for local government reorganisation in Surrey – GOV.UK) is now open (closes 5th August) and residents are welcome to submit responses.
- Come to the Parish Council meeting this Wednesday 9 July – the Parish Council will be discussing at our next meeting on 9th July what response we, as a Council, will provide.
- If you have any questions on any of this, please contact Paul Edwards our Parish Council Clerk (clerk@westclandon-pc.gov.uk) or Councillor Ray Sieber (r.sieber@westclandon.gov.uk), who is taking the lead on the reorganisation for our Parish Council.
- Alternatively, West Horsley Parish Council will be holding a Community Forum on Local Government Reorganisation (see attached poster) on 17 July and are extending the invitation to residents in neighbouring parishes.
