Published Tuesday, 3rd February 2026
Introducing Future Surrey; our way to let you know about the upcoming changes in Surrey through Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and Devolution.
Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, along with Surrey County Council and the county’s other ten district and borough councils have come together to communicate plans for local government reorganisation and devolution, including preparing residents for elections to the two new councils in May.
From April 2027 onwards, residents in Reigate & Banstead will be served by a new East Surrey Council, providing services that this council and Surrey County Council currently provide.
The group of 12 councils are committed to ensuring residents are aware of the changes, how it impacts them and how they can have a say by voting in the elections, and are communicating the change via a temporary brand called ‘Future Surrey’. Residents will receive information through letterboxes, on social media, in newsletters, in local libraries and community spaces and via a new website.
The new website has been developed to bring together information, updates and resources about Local Government Reorganisation and devolution in one trusted place, helping people understand what is changing, why it is happening, and what it means for them.
The Future Surrey website is available at: surreylgrhub.gov.uk.
It features the latest information on elections in Surrey, including information on how residents can prepare to vote. Government has confirmed elections for the new councils will take place in May 2026. To vote, residents must be registered by midnight on Monday 20 April 2026 at gov.uk/register-to-vote.
On Thursday 7 May 2026, Reigate & Banstead residents will be able to vote for who represents them and the local area on the new East Surrey Council.
The councillors elected in May 2026 will work as a shadow authority initially, helping oversee the transition to the new East Surrey Council. From April 2027, they will officially take over delivering all local services in East Surrey. The same process will happen in West Surrey.
Existing Reigate & Banstead Councillors and Surrey County Councillors will continue to represent their areas until 31 March 2027, and we will continue to deliver local services until the transfer to East Surrey Council.
Future Surrey is not a brand for the two new councils. Branding for East Surrey and West Surrey Councils will be developed after the May 2026 elections and launched when the new councils come into force in April 2027.
Terence Herbert, Chief Executive of Surrey County Council and Senior Responsible Officer for LGR in Surrey said:
“Future Surrey is about delivering complex change in a clear, consistent and transparent way. While we prepare for the new unitary councils, our priority is maintaining high-quality services, supporting our staff and residents and providing accurate, up-to-date information people can rely on. Future Surrey brings everything together in one place, helping residents, businesses and partners understand the process and key milestones, including the upcoming elections.”
Cllr Richard Biggs, Leader of Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, said:
“We are committed to working together with other Surrey councils to ensure residents are kept informed about the changes and to ensure a smooth transition of services. We will continue to provide the same high-quality services in the meantime.”