Plans for Surrey council reorganisation agreed

Councillors have formally agreed to submit plans to ministers for how local government in Surrey could be reorganised.

The Conservative-run cabinet at Surrey County Council (SCC) has approved a proposal which calls for the creation of two new unitary authorities, with existing councils scrapped.

The exact geography has not been decided but options include Surrey splitting into east and west or a north/south divide.

A separate report, which says the majority of borough and district councils would prefer to have three authorities, will also be submitted to the government.

In a speech, SCC leader Tim Oliver, said the changes would lead to "simpler, more effective, sustainable, and cheaper local government."

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner outlined plans for a major redesign of local government in December.

Currently, Surrey has a two tier system, with a county council and 11 borough and district councils, plus a number of parish and town councils.

As part of the shake-up, they would be replaced by unitary authorities providing services instead.

It is also proposed to have a strategic authority and directly-elected mayor.

At another meeting, councillors from the different political parties and groups held a debate on the options.

Mr Oliver told councillors: "This is a golden opportunity - here in Surrey, and across the country - to turbo charge localism. Let's take that opportunity with both hands."

SCC Liberal Democrat group leader Paul Follows said he was concerned there was not enough time to decide on the proposals.

"Trying to undertake a process that normally takes years to do properly in a matter of weeks is full of all sorts of dangers and risks, especially to vulnerable people," he said.

Catherine Powell, leader of the Residents' Association and Independents group, said residents needed a "clear path forward" on the debt owed by councils, which is a total of £5.5bn, while Labour councillor, Robert Evans, said the plan for two unitary authorities was not "geographically sensible."

Councils have been given until 21 March to submit interim proposals.

A full business case is due to be submitted to government on 9 May and a final decision from ministers is expected in the autumn.

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