Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and Devolution
Local Government is changing in Surrey
Current status: Latest proposals were submitted to Government on 9 May 2025. Government is expected to make a decision on proposals by the end of the year.
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:
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.
Supported by three councils: Surrey County Council, Elmbridge Borough Council and Mole Valley District Council.
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
|
21 March 2025 |
Interim plans submitted to Government - Complete |
|---|---|
|
9 May 2025 |
Full proposals submitted to Government - Complete |
|
May - September 2025 |
Government consults on Surrey proposals |
|
September - December 2025 |
Government decision to implement proposals. Legislation (law) passed to allow changes, if approved. |
|
May 2026 |
Elections to shadow unitary councils |
|
May 2026 - April 2027 |
Shadow unitary authority exists alongside district and borough councils |
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)
- Crawley and Reigate & Banstead covering letter (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.