Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

11 February 2025

At a meeting of the Surrey Leaders Group which took place on 7 February, it was agreed that following the announcement by the Government last week, a single unitary would not be explored as an option of reorganisation, but we remain committed to working together towards submitting one bid for the County.

Elmbridge advocates for residents as part of Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

At the Elmbridge Cabinet meeting on Wednesday 5 February, Cabinet members adopted the following approach in order to advocate best for our residents as part of the process:

• Devolution and LGR should focus on our residents in Elmbridge and Surrey more widely.
   
• If Devolution and LGR is going to happen, it is best to be in the early waves of this process to maximise any support and influence to ensure the future of services is financially sustainable, especially considering the wider current context of Surrey.
   
• We will work with all of our neighbouring district and borough councils and Surrey County Council through the steering group.
   
• A Surrey footprint for devolution sounds a sensible starting point. We are, however, open to a larger Strategic Authority area if this proposed. We are also open minded as to the number of unitary authorities established as a result of LGR.
   
• Any new arrangement will need to consider our communities, our place, and how we maintain strong community engagement.
   
• We should not underestimate the impact on employees, and as a result we see being on the Devolution Priority Programme a benefit so that the process minimises uncertainty.

The full report is available.

Statement from the Deputy Prime Minster, Angela Rayner MP

On Wednesday 5 February, the Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner MP announced the 'Devolution revolution' which brings 6 areas onto the Devolution Priority Programme with Mayors to be elected by May 2026 plus four new devolved institutions created.

Surrey County Council elections in May 2025 to be postponed

Surrey County Council announced that arrangements will also be made to postpone local elections in May so the detailed work for reorganisation and devolution can take place. 

You can read their full statement.

The Leaders from the Surrey Boroughs and Districts will work together

Following statements in the House of Commons by Angela Rayner MP, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government, Surrey will be part of the first wave of the government’s local government reorganisation agenda and that the local elections in Surrey will be postponed from May 2025 to May 2026. Councillor Hannah Dalton, Chair of the Surrey Leaders Group, has commented: 

“The ambitions set out by the government will see the biggest shake up of local government for fifty years. In Surrey this means that the county elections in May this year have been postponed to 2026, which this Group has already opposed. 

In addition, the government announcement does not address the serious concerns we hold around local government reorganisation including establishing unitary authorities for populations of 500k people, which will take decision making further away from communities, or provide any clarity around how the debt held within Surrey is going to be addressed so that new authorities are not set up to fail. 

Throughout the upcoming process, councils across Surrey are committed to delivering the best possible solution for all our residents. Our focus over the coming weeks and months will be to continue to work together, to deliver a proposal that ensures our residents and local communities receive the high-quality public services they rely on both now, and for years to come.” 

All councils across Surrey will keep residents up to date on any news or developments via social media, council newsletters and websites.