West Surrey takes further steps to secure a strong and sustainable future
The meeting focused on ensuring the new authority is financially resilient, well governed and ready to protect and deliver services for residents.
Councillors considered a number of measures designed to ensure the new authority is built on firm foundations and is well placed to meet future challenges.
A key decision was to join the Public Sector Audit Appointments (PSAA), a national scheme for the appointment of external auditors from 2027/28. Independent external auditors provide important assurance that public money is being managed responsibly, helping to strengthen financial oversight, identify opportunities for improvement and give residents confidence that the council's finances are being subject to rigorous and impartial scrutiny. In a similar vein, Independent Persons were also agreed to be appointed to support the authority as required through the shadow year should any member conduct issues arise.
The council also received an update on plans for a Foundational Strategic Authority for Surrey, which would support collaboration on priorities such as transport, housing, skills and economic growth. Further details are expected from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) as the government prepares to begin consultation with councils and strategic partners.
As part of the meeting, councillors debated and supported a motion from Councillor Harry Boparai requesting a change of the official name of the authority from 'West Surrey Council' to 'West Surrey and South Middlesex Council’, reflecting the historic identity of Spelthorne and recognising the different communities that will come together within the new council. A formal request to change the name will now go to government for approval, so preparations for the new logo and brand of West Surrey and South Middlesex Council can progress.
A range of member questions were also responded to by members of the Shadow Executive and one question from a member of the public, relating to the authority’s duties and powers.
Councillor Paul Follows, Leader of the West Surrey Shadow Authority, said:
"We know residents want confidence that the new council will be financially responsible, well governed and focused on delivering the services people rely on. That is why we are taking steps now to strengthen oversight, improve accountability and ensure the new council starts life on the strongest possible footing.
"We are being open about the challenges we face, including the issue of historic debt, and we will continue to work closely with government and our partners to secure a fair and equitable outcome for West Surrey taxpayers.
"At the same time, we are making good progress in building a new council that is resilient, efficient and locally focused. Our vision is to create a council that is genuinely local, financially resilient and focused on what matters most, delivering real benefits for residents, businesses and communities across West Surrey.
“I am pleased that a motion was passed to request government change the official name of the council to ‘West Surrey and South Middlesex Council’. This is after careful deliberation regarding civic identity and effective representation across our entire administrative geography. In particular, the council has listened closely to the distinct historical, cultural, and community identity expressed by residents in the borough of Spelthorne. Spelthorne communities retain a deep-rooted connection to historic Middlesex and incorporating "South Middlesex" into our official title ensures all residents feel fully recognised and represented in this new era of local government. It was essential to have this debate now, at the start - before funding had been committed to branding for the new council. Government now need to legally approve this name change, so we will continue to call the authority ‘West Surrey Council’ until this is agreed.”
Councillor Harry Boparai, West Surrey Shadow Authority Councillor for Sunbury Common & Ashford Common Ward, said:
“This is a truly historic moment for Spelthorne. After 61 years, we have now given the Government a clear mandate to restore the identity of ‘South Middlesex’. Thank you to every Spelthorne resident who supported this change.”
Leader of Spelthorne Borough Council, Cllr Greg Neall, said:
“As a resident I recognise and share the pride in our Middlesex history and heritage, and I am extremely pleased to see the result from West Surrey yesterday.”
Building a financially resilient council
The creation of the new West Surrey Council continues to gather momentum, with important progress being made across key areas.
The West Surrey Shadow Executive has provisionally agreed recommendations on future service delivery arrangements, providing a broad direction of travel and a strong foundation for detailed planning ahead of formal decisions later this year.
Progress is also being made across a range of critical workstreams, including the development of the council's Corporate Strategy, future waste services, the Local Government Reorganisation Implementation Plan and the recruitment of a permanent Chief Executive.
Important financial safeguards are now in place through Section 24 arrangements, which provide additional oversight of significant spending decisions during the transition period. These measures will help protect the financial position of the new councils, support responsible decision-making and ensure both East Surrey and West Surrey councils are established on the strongest possible footing from day one.