Help shape a stronger future for Surrey
The government wants areas like Surrey to become Strategic Authorities — led by an elected Mayor.
To do this, Surrey must first reorganise into unitary councils, which combine county and district & borough services into a single level of government.
Surrey currently has 12 councils. We are proposing to reorganise into two new councils – East Surrey and West Surrey.
Why two councils is best
There’s a number of reasons why we think this arrangement is best for Surrey residents and businesses:
- It saves money and offers better value for tax payers. Stable finances will protect vital services.
- It simplifies services, delivering everything residents need to a high quality, with fewer points of contact and reduced confusion about which council does what.
- It will strengthen our local communities by connecting people through Neighbourhood Area Committees in towns and villages.
A plan supported by
Other plans for Surrey
Government is also considering a different proposal from some other district and borough councils, to reorganise Surrey into three unitary councils.
The government consultation
The government held a consultation on proposed plans for devolution and local government reorganisation in Surrey, which ran from 17 June to 5 August. The consultation aimed to help the government understand what residents, businesses, and other stakeholders thought about the changes in Surrey. The results will be used to inform the final decision on which option is best for Surrey, with a decision expected in October.
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