Purpose

To receive on update on Devolution and Local
Government Reorganisation.

Content

RESOLVED

That  (i)    the
report be noted;

         
(ii)   the Executive recognises the
Government intention to move to unitary and strategic
authorities;

         
(iii)  the Executive will work with other boroughs/districts, the
County Council and local people and businesses to achieve the local
government structure that best works for everyone in the local
area;

         
(iv)  the Executive is happy to
work at pace, but believes the focus must be on getting this right
not getting it done quickly;

         
(v)   the Executive believes
solutions are needed to the debt held across authorities, including
Woking, before new councils can be formed; and

         
(vi)  the Executive believes
postponement of May elections to the County Council would not be
helpful to the process and these elections should go ahead as
planned.

Reason:   To enable the Executive
to begin to consider the implications of the White Paper published
in December.