Local Government Reorganisation

Press statement on behalf of Surrey District and Borough Council Leaders

Issue date: 6 February 2025

Statement from Surrey's Leaders on the delay to local elections and plans for local government reorganisation in Surrey.

Following statements in the House of Commons by Angela Rayner MP, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government, that Surrey will be part of the first wave of the government's local government reorganisation agenda and that the local elections in Surrey will be postponed from May 2025 to May 2026, Councillor Hannah Dalton, Chair of the Surrey Leaders Group, has commented: 

"The ambitions set out by the Government will see the biggest shake up of local government for fifty years. In Surrey this means that the county elections in May this year have been postponed to 2026, which this Group has already opposed. 

In addition, the Government announcement does not address the serious concerns we hold around local government reorganisation including establishing unitary authorities for populations of 500k people, which will take decision making further way from communities, or provide any clarity around how the debt held within Surrey is going to be addressed so that new authorities are not set up to fail. 

Throughout the upcoming process, councils across Surrey are committed to delivering the best possible solution for all our residents. Our focus over the coming weeks and months will be to continue to work together, to deliver a proposal that ensures our residents and local communities receive the high-quality public services they rely on both now, and for years to come." 

All councils across Surrey will keep residents up-to-date on any news or developments via social media, council newsletters and websites.

Statement from Cllr Joanne Sexton, Leader of Spelthorne Borough Council

Cllr Joanne Sexton, Leader of Spelthorne Borough Council, said: "Following confirmation from Government that Surrey will be in the first wave of local government reorganisation, we are looking closely at exactly what this means for Spelthorne. Although I am disappointed that the Surrey County Council elections due to be held this May have been postponed until 2026, please be assured we will represent the voices of local people and fight to deliver the best possible outcome for Spelthorne's residents and businesses."

Notes to editors:

Surrey Leaders Group is a forum for the leaders of councils within Surrey to meet to discuss issues relevant to all councils in the area. The current chair is Cllr Hannah Dalton, Chair of the Residents Association (Majority Group) Epsom and Ewell Borough Council.

This statement is issued separately to any communication from Surrey County Council.

This statement reflects the views of Surrey's district and borough council leaders, it is not a statement on behalf of any of the councils corporately.

Council contacts for journalists

Epsom and Ewell        

Cate Jaques (primary contact)  cjaques@epsom-ewell.gov.uk

Elmbridge        

Catherine Malloy  CMalloy@elmbridge.gov.uk

Guildford         

Melanie Battams  melanie.battams@guildford.gov.uk

Mole Valley      

Magdalena Banasiak  magdalena.banasiak@molevalley.gov.uk

Reigate and Banstead             

Lucy Rispin  lucy.rispin@reigate-banstead.gov.uk

Runnymede   

Peter Le Riche  Peter.leriche@runnymede.gov.uk

Spelthorne      

Jennifer Medcraff  j.medcraff@spelthorne.gov.uk

Surrey Heath  

Joe Whitfield   joe.whitfield@surreyheath.gov.uk

Tandridge         

Katharine Beynon  communications@tandridge.gov.uk

Waverley           

Ian Mackie  ian.mackie@waverley.gov.uk

Woking              

Andy Denner  andy.denner@woking.gov.uk