Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and Devolution

Local Government is changing in Surrey

Current status

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has now officially launched its consultation on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Surrey

The Government is consulting on two options:

• A three unitary council model supported by Reigate & Banstead and eight other district and borough councils in Surrey. Under this option, the new East Surrey council would cover the area currently served by Reigate & Banstead, Tandridge, Mole Valley and Epsom & Ewell councils.
• A two unitary council model supported Surrey County Council and two district / borough councils in Surrey. Under this option, the new East Surrey council would cover the area currently served by Elmbridge in addition to Reigate & Banstead, Tandridge, Mole Valley and Epsom & Ewell councils.

You can have your say until Tuesday 5 August by visiting the Surrey local government reorganisation webpage (Gov.UK). Responses may be made on the department’s online platform ‘Citizen Space’ or alternatively by email to lgreorganisation@communities.gov.uk or in writing to LGR Consultation, Fry Building 2NE, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, 2 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DF.

Reigate & Banstead Borough Council supports the three unitary proposal. We believe that this will provide a stronger long-term foundation for high-quality local government, including:

• Stronger public services designed around local needs
• Better alignment with local identities and communities
• Greater opportunities for economic growth and infrastructure delivery; and
• More responsive and accountable local governance.

Read our latest news on this.

Visit the Surrey LGR hub for more information from district and borough councils across Surrey.

Background

On 16 December 2024, central Government published its English Devolution White Paper (Gov.UK).

The White Paper outlined plans to create unitary councils in areas - like Surrey - that currently have a ‘two tier’ system of district/borough councils and a county council.

It also proposed more Mayoral Strategic Authorities in areas such as Surrey that don’t currently have one. These groupings of unitary councils, once set up, will have powers transferred to them from Government for things like strategic planning, transport, infrastructure, and economic development and skills.

Current structure of local government

The Government wants to see a new ‘single-tier’ system in Surrey with a far smaller number of unitary councils each delivering all the local council services. This will mean that all 12 councils in Surrey will be abolished in their current form.

Currently in Surrey responsibilities for delivering services are split across a range of councils. These are sometimes referred to as tiers of local government. Local councillors are elected to these different council tiers.

Surrey has a two-tier council system, with some services (like education, adult and children's social care and roads) delivered by Surrey County Council and others (like bin collections, planning and housing) run by the local borough or district council (such as Reigate & Banstead Borough Council).

What does this mean for Reigate & Banstead?

The Government has indicated that it expects unitary councils to have a population of around 500,000 or more. This means that it is most likely that we will see two or three unitary authorities across Surrey, each covering a much larger area than current borough and district councils do.

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

What’s happened so far?

On 9 May 2025, the following proposals were submitted to Government:

• A proposal for three unitaries in Surrey (PDF)

           Supported by nine councils: Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, Tandridge District Council, Runnymede Borough Council, Spelthorne Borough Council, Woking Borough Council, Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, Surrey Heath Borough Council, Guildford Borough Council and Waverly Borough Council.

• A proposal for two unitaries in Surrey (Surrey County Council website)

           Supported by three councils: Surrey County Council, Elmbridge Borough Council and Mole Valley District Council.

• An additional report making the case for bringing Reigate & Banstead and Crawley Borough Council together into the same unitary authority (PDF)

            Supported by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council and Crawley Borough Council

These latest proposals expand on the Interim Plans submitted to Government on 21 March, providing more in-depth information and financial detail, and respond to specific feedback provided by the Government on the Interim Plans.

All three reports were discussed and voted on by Reigate & Banstead councillors – most recently at the Full Council meeting on 6 May. You can watch the recorded website and access further information.

Public engagement

We have done everything we can to influence Government to create a unitary model in Surrey that serves our residents and businesses best, whilst also meeting its ambitious timeframe.

To help inform the proposals, we surveyed Reigate & Banstead residents between 31 March and 21 April. We received 1,461 responses. For further information see Residents' Survey Report (PDF).

In addition, a joint resident survey – Shaping Surrey’s Future- was coordinated by Surrey districts and borough councils.

Next steps

The Government is expected to decide on proposals by the end of the year. If approved, legislation will be passed to allow the changes, and elections for new shadow unitary councils will be held in May 2026, with a view to the new unitaries going live in April 2027.

Timeline

Downloads and useful links

• English Devolution White Paper (Gov.UK)
• Invitation from Government for Surrey LGR proposals (Gov.UK)
• Local Government Association Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation Hub (local.gov.uk)
• Three unitary covering letter - Shaping Surrey's Future 09-05-2025 (PDF)
• Three Unitary Methodology - Shaping Surrey's Future (PDF)
• Residents' Survey Report (PDF)

More information

• We will provide updates as soon as more information is available on our website, social media and via our e-newsletter Borough News.
• Visit our frequently asked questions webpage.
• Visit Surrey's Local Government Reorganisation hub (surreylgrhub.org). Your source for all Surrey local government reorganisation information. Stay informed and connected as we shape Surrey's future together.
• Please note: some of the PDFs on this page might not be suitable for users of assistive technology. Therefore if you need a file in an accessible format, please contact us. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use. We will then contact you about the next step.