| Future Surrey: Visit www.surreylgrhub.gov.uk for all the latest information on Local Government Reorgansation (LGR). LGR will bring significant change to how councils in Surrey are structured and how local services are delivered. From 1 April 2027, government has decided that Surrey’s current county, district and borough councils will be replaced by two new unitary councils, East Surrey and West Surrey. Spelthorne will sit within West Surrey. On Thursday 7 May 2026, you will be able to vote for who represents you on your new West Surrey Council. |
The government announced in October last year that Surrey County Council and Surrey’s 11 district and borough councils should reorganise into two new unitary authorities – West Surrey Council and East Surrey Council.
That means that instead of separate county, district and borough councils, you will have one council providing all the services you rely on - education, waste collection, roads, housing, play areas, the countryside, leisure centres, planning, children’s services, adult social care, community funding and elections.
Having a single council means less complexity, better value for money, and improved services where they matter most. One organisation, working together to deliver for you and your community.
For now, nothing changes in the way you receive services. Your local council and Surrey County Council will continue to provide everything they do today. Our priority is making sure residents, businesses and communities continue to get the support they need without interruption.
You’ll still be able to use the same council offices, community spaces and online services. Everything will stay open and work just as it does now.
The new councils
West Surrey Council will cover the areas currently served by:
- Guildford Borough Council
- Runnymede Borough Council
- Spelthorne Borough Council
- Surrey Heath Borough Council
- Waverley Borough Council
- Woking Borough Council
East Surrey Council will cover the areas currently served by:
- Elmbridge Borough Council
- Epsom and Ewell Borough Council
- Mole Valley District Council
- Reigate and Banstead Borough Council
- Tandridge District Council
Elections - have your say
Government has confirmed elections for the new councils will take place in May 2026.
Depending on where you live, you’ll vote for who represents East Surrey or West Surrey at your local polling station.
The councillors elected in May 2026 will work as shadow authorities, helping oversee the transition. From April 2027, they’ll officially take over delivering all local services in your area.
Your existing councillors will continue to represent you until 31 March 2027.
New Joint Committees
Due to the scale, complexity and timescales of work to be delivered, new voluntary joint committees, made up of existing councillors from the borough, district and county councils, are now meeting monthly to lay the foundations for the transition. This will last until the elections of the shadow authorities.
Read the meeting papers for the West Surrey Voluntary Joint Committee and the East Surrey Voluntary Joint Committee.
Strategic Authority
We’re also working with government on plans that could bring more powers and funding into the county through a strategic authority, helping us make an even bigger difference.
Your voice matters
Community involvement will remain at the heart of local government. You’ll elect councillors, take part in consultations, and help shape decision making.
The government also wants new councils to give communities more say through local Neighbourhood Area Committees (NACs).
Surrey tested this idea with four pilot areas from July to December 2025, bringing together local councillors, Voluntary Community Social Enterprise sector, health and police representatives, schools, businesses, and community groups to discuss priorities and drive collaborative action.