Council leaders rule out devolved 'mega-authority'

Council leaders across Surrey have ruled out making the county a single "mega-authority".

An agreement was reached during a meeting on Friday attended by leaders from all 11 district and borough councils.

The council leaders could now look at how to split the county into two or three smaller council areas with the potential for an elected Surrey mayor.

Elections have also been postponed until at least 2026 after the government confirmed Surrey is part of devolution plans to simplify and streamline local government, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Catherine Sayer, leader of Tandridge District Council, said: "I am delighted we have been able to rule out proposing a single unitary which I believe would have been too large and so lack accountability to residents."

The government argues replacing two-tier local government with a single unitary authority would be more cost effective and shift power away from Westminster.

Tim Oliver, leader of Surrey County Council, said: "The government's White Paper sets out their ambition to create strategic combined authorities under mayoral devolution, and within Surrey's geography a single unitary wouldn't meet that criteria."

Options being considered include Surrey being made up of two or three smaller council regions and an elected mayor overseeing the whole county.

Richard Biggs, leader of Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, Mike Rollings, leader of Elmbridge Borough Council, and Tandridge's Ms Sayer have warned that shrewd councils should not be burdened by neighbouring council's debts.

Council leaders are aiming to meet weekly to develop an interim proposal, in line with government criteria, to be submitted by 21 March with a full proposal to follow by 9 May.

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