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RESOLVED:
 
That the Cabinet:
 

1.   
Agreed that the Leader should respond to the Government as outlined
in the letter set out in Annex 2, as amended below:
 
“A
postponement of the county elections will also allow time to give
consideration in any business case to how we can best manage the
unique, significant financial risk of the level of debt currently
held across the Surrey local government footprint. Any proposals
for local government reorganisation will need to adequately
consider how to ensure the sustainable operation of any new
authority/ies in the absence of
exceptional financial support from Government or a level of write
off and we will request the government to write off those
debts.”
 
Reasons for decisions:
 
The
English Devolution White Paper presents an important opportunity
for Surrey
County Council to bring more expansive and flexible devolved
powers and funding
into
the county for the benefit of residents. As such it is recommended
that Cabinet
agrees to respond to the Minister’s letter (Annex 1)
requesting the postponement of
the
2025 County Council elections to allow the Surrey County Council
Leader time to work with district and borough Leaders to develop a
proposal for local government reform that will unlock the benefits
of further devolution for Surrey.
 
The
function of deciding whether and how to respond to the
Minister’s letter of 16
December 2024 is an executive function as set out in the
Constitution under Responsibility for Executive Functions (Part 3),
the Cabinet has the power to provide formal response to any
Government White Paper “…likely to lead to policy
changes
or
have impact upon service not otherwise delegated to officers”
(Scheme of
Delegation 8.2 (L)).
 
(In
accordance with Standing Order 56.1 (Special Urgency), the Chairman
of the Resources and Performance Select Committee has agreed that
the decisions on this item cannot reasonably be deferred and
therefore it is not subject to call in.)