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RESOLVED:
 

1.   
That Cabinet notes the letter received from
government on the 5 February 2025 inviting all councils in Surrey
to submit an interim plan for Local Government Reorganisation by 21
March 2025 and a full proposal by 9 May
2025.  
 

2.   
That Cabinet approves the Council’s interim
plan for Local Government Reorganisation in Surrey (the interim
plan comprises Part A in Annex 6 and SCC authored Part B in Annex
7).  
 

3.   
That Cabinet agrees that the Leader of Surrey County
Council submits the interim plan to Government for the 21 March
deadline.   
 

4.   
That Cabinet notes the District and Borough
Councils’ (D&B) authored Part B (Annex 8) and submits
this to Government alongside the Council’s Part B for the 21
March deadline.
 

5.   
That Cabinet delegates authority to make any final
amendments to the interim plan (and other associated information)
for Local Government Reorganisation in Surrey to the Chief
Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, before
submission within the deadline given by the Secretary of
State.
 

6.   
That Cabinet delegates authority to the Chief
Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the?Council, to
consent to the making of the necessary Regulations to devolve the
Land Assembly and Homes England Compulsory Purchase Powers and
Adult Skills Fund thereby implementing and giving effect to these
aspects which formed part of the County Deal agreed with government
in March 2024.  
 
Reasons for Decisions:
 
Following the publication of
the English Devolution White Paper on 16 December 2024, all
councils in Surrey have been invited to move forward on an
accelerated pathway for local government reorganisation (LGR),
paving the way for further devolution for the county. Approving the
Council’s interim plan for LGR in Surrey is an important
milestone in our ongoing work with the district and borough
councils and government to shape Surrey’s future so it
remains a uniquely special place where everyone has a great start
to life, people live healthy and fulfilling lives, are enabled to
achieve their full potential and contribute to their community, and
no one is left behind.
 
Unitary councils are key to
unlocking further devolution for Surrey. A County Devolution Deal
was put in place with the previous government and implemented by
the current government and will bring more powers and decisions
closer to communities. To build on the foundations laid by this
agreement, unitary councils will make local government in Surrey
fit for purpose so we can take the next steps towards more powers,
freedoms and flexibilities to benefit Surrey’s residents and
businesses.
 
Based on our assessment, we
believe that reorganising the current 12 councils into two new
unitary authorities is the best direction for Surrey to unlock
devolution, realise improved local government services, create more
financially sustainable local government and to lay the foundations
for future public service reform. A shortlist of potential
geographical configurations being considered for these unitaries
has been included. We recognise that there is support for 3
unitaries but we have explained in the SCC authored Part B (Annex
7) why that is not our preferred option.
 
Two unitary councils in Surrey
would build on current good examples of community engagement and
involvement and work even closer with communities to tackle the
specific challenges in the towns and villages they cherish.
Partnerships will be more straightforward, less fragmented and more
cost effective. Having fewer councils will help enable more
transparent, quicker and effective partnership
decision-making.
 
Whilst we seek further devolution for the county, we are also
focused on implementing the County Deal agreed with the previous
government in March 2024. Securing delegated authority to the Chief
Executive, in consultation with the Leader, to consent to the
necessary regulations needed to devolve the Homes England
Compulsory Purchase Power and the Adult Skills Fund to the county
council, is a further step towards fully implementing these
devolved powers to the County Council.
 
(The
decisions on this item can be called-in by the Resources and
Performance Select Committee)