Press statement from the Leaders of Surrey’s District and Borough Councils ›

Today, district and borough councils have published proposals for local government
reorganisation on their websites, to be debated at Council meetings across the county
in the coming days. Final proposals will be submitted to Government by 9 May 2025.

Eight of the eleven district and borough councils are proposing a three unitary council

model for Surrey. They believe that this is the best way to preserve local democracy and
accountability, and would ensure that new councils align with Surrey’s existing
economic and community identities – creating the foundation for more responsive
governance and stronger local economies. There is also a proposal for two unitary
councils being submitted by Surrey County Council. Those councils that have been
undecided so far will make a final decision between the 6 and 8 May.

The new structure for local government will replace the current two-tier system of
district, borough and county councils.

Councillor Hannah Dalton, Chair of the Surrey Leaders Group and Chair of the Epsom &
Ewell Borough Council Residents’ Association (Majority Group) said:

“This is a significant achievement and the culmination of much collaboration and hard
work by council leaders and officers across the county.
“There are still issues to be resolved, including how debt will be managed. Over the
coming weeks and months, we will continue to work at pace towards a vision for the
county that delivers for our residents and communities, that enables us to unlock the
wider benefits that devolution can ultimately bring.
“I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who took part in the recent
resident engagement which sought opinion on shaping Surrey’s future, the results of
which indicated clear public support for a three unitary model of local government.
“We also appreciate the time given to us by representatives from charities, parish and
town councils, residents forums, health services, community groups and others across
the county in our stakeholder engagement exercise and roundtable group sessions. It
was really important to make sure as many voices as possible were heard in this journey
about the risks and opportunities of changes that will impact local services and
Communities.”

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 May
2027.

Proposals are published on council websites: