Surrey councils submit joint plan to government for new East and West unitary authorities
Elmbridge, Mole Valley and Surrey County Council want to replace all current councils with two larger ones in a major reorganisation of local government
A plan to create two new unitary councils in Surrey has been sent to the government today. If approved, the change would see all current borough, district and county councils replaced by a new East Surrey and West Surrey council.
Elmbridge Borough Council is part of the proposal, along with Mole Valley District Council and Surrey County Council. The plan would place Elmbridge in East Surrey, alongside Epsom and Ewell, Reigate and Banstead, Tandridge and Mole Valley.
The plan has been sent as part of a government process called local government reorganisation. It aims to simplify the way local councils work, reduce costs, and bring more decision-making powers to Surrey.
A report published by Surrey County Council says the current two-tier system is outdated and that creating two new unitary authorities will allow services to be joined up, reduce duplication, and improve how money is spent.
A summary of the plan says:
“Moving to unitary local authorities from the current two-tier system will create more effective and sustainable local government.”
The new East and West councils would be similar in size and needs. East Surrey would have a population of around 546,000 and West Surrey around 657,000. Both would be responsible for all local services, including housing, education, roads, waste and social care.
The report sets out a “Community Engagement Model” to make sure residents can still be involved in local decisions. There is also a call for new town and parish councils to be created in some areas.
The submission includes several requests to government, including money to help pay for the changes and support for councils that are struggling financially. It says:
“Surrey County Council has the following key asks of government which are essential to enabling the success of local government reorganisation in Surrey.”
These include £85 million in funding for the changes and action on debt linked to Woking Borough Council’s past investments.
The plan has the backing of local health and emergency services, including Surrey Police, NHS Surrey Heartlands and Surrey Fire and Rescue.
Councillor Mike Rollings, Leader of Elmbridge Borough Council, said:
“We are committed to ensuring long-term financial sustainability and delivering value for our residents. I believe these priorities can be achieved through the establishment of two unitary authorities.”
Councillor Stephen Cooksey, Leader of Mole Valley District Council, said:
“We have voted to support the proposal for two unitary authorities and look forward to further discussions with partners and ministers.”
Some other borough and district councils in Surrey have put forward a different proposal for three unitary councils instead.
Support for the two-unitary model has come from several public service partners. Ian Smith, Chair of NHS Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care Board, said: “As a key partner, NHS Surrey Heartlands is supportive of Surrey County Council’s proposal to move to two unitary authorities for Surrey… We very much support the proposed creation of community-level boards across Surrey to help strengthen engagement at local level.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “I believe a two unitary structure is the right model for Surrey that will unlock the exciting opportunities that exist through devolution. In any future model of governance, it is crucial that links to the Surrey public at a very local level are retained.”
Dan Quin, Chief Fire Officer for Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, said: “I am pleased that the proposal to move Surrey Fire and Rescue Service to the Mayoral Strategic Authority aligns to the national Fire Reform White Paper… This could allow better collaboration, greater control over funding and regulatory requirements and closer integration with local health and safety initiatives.”
The Chair of the Board of Trustees at Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum said the plan “provides the best opportunity for greater efficiencies in the delivery of services, with reduced duplication and clearer accountability… This is a once in lifetime opportunity to strengthen and align public services in the county.”
Councillor Stephen Cooksey, Leader of Mole Valley District Council, said: “We have voted to support the proposal for two unitary authorities and look forward to having further detailed discussions with our partners, Ministers and others regarding how this can best be implemented.”
Councillor Mike Rollings, Leader of Elmbridge Borough Council, added: “We are committed to ensuring long-term financial sustainability and delivering value for our residents. I believe these priorities can be achieved through the establishment of two unitary authorities.”
Tim Oliver, Leader of Surrey County Council, said: “Our analysis shows that two unitary councils would bring the greatest benefit to Surrey’s residents, and we’ve received significant backing from key partners to support this. Two councils, in partnership with a Mayor for Surrey, would save money, strengthen and simplify local government.”
He added: “We’re proposing the creation of community-level boards across Surrey. These boards will be locally determined but we would expect them to include representation from health partners, Surrey Police, voluntary groups, councillors, council staff, local Town and Parish Councils and Residents Associations.”
The government is expected to respond in the autumn.