Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and Devolution

Future Surrey

The Future Surrey website is your source for all Surrey local government reorganisation information. Stay informed and connected as we shape Surrey's future together:

Future Surrey (surreylgrhub.gov.uk)

Visit the East Surrey Council area of the Future Surrey website for information on the new council that will replace the current arrangements across Elmbridge, Epsom & Ewell, Mole Valley, Reigate & Banstead and Tandridge, as well as the services currently provided by Surrey County Council, bringing everything together under a single organisation.

Government confirms two-unitary model for Surrey

On 28 October 2025, the Government confirmed its final decision on the future of local government in Surrey, approving a move to a two-unitary model.

This means that, from April 2027, the current county, district, and borough councils will be replaced by two new unitary authorities, East Surrey and West Surrey, responsible for all local services.

What this means

• A newly established East Surrey Council will replace the geographic area of Reigate & Banstead as well as Elmbridge, Epsom and Ewell, Mole Valley and Tandridge councils; and a West Surrey Council will replace the geographic areas of Guildford, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath, Waverley and Woking councils.
• The two new councils will each deliver the full range of local government services (replacing the two-tier system of district/borough councils and a county council that is currently in place in Surrey).
• The change aims to simplify local governance, reduce duplication, and strengthen community accountability.
• Existing councils will continue to provide these services during the transition period, up until 1 April 2027, when the new Council will take over service delivery.

Next steps

• Implementation work will begin to prepare for this transition and to make sure that there is no interruption in service delivery during this process.
• Elections for the new East Surrey Council took place on 7 May 2026. The new Council is now acting as a Shadow Authority, and will take on full local council powers on 1 April 2027.
• Residents will be provided with full details of changes in due course.

In the future, we are expecting a new Strategic Authority will be set up as well, covering several unitary areas and with a directly elected Mayor.

The Government has published more information about the process on their website: Summary of the local government reorganisation process (Gov.UK)