Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: July 22, 2025

Purpose:

Content: RESOLVED:   That Cabinet approves the drafted response to the government’s consultation on Local Government Reorganisation in Surrey, to be jointly submitted by Surrey County Council, Elmbridge Borough Council and Mole Valley District Council.     That Cabinet agrees the Leader of Surrey County Council submits the joint consultation response to government ahead of the 5 August deadline.   That Cabinet delegates authority to make any final amendments to the consultation response (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 government.      Reasons for Decisions:   Before implementing an LGR proposal, the Secretary of State is required to consult any local authority affected by the proposal (but which has not submitted it) and any such other persons as considered appropriate. Following the submission of LGR proposals by Surrey local authorities on 9 May 2025, a statutory consultation on two proposals from Surrey authorities was launched by government on 17 June and will run until 5 August.   Surrey County Council, as one of the local authorities affected by the proposal for 3 unitary authorities, has been invited to submit a consultation response. The drafted response, which has been co-produced and will be jointly submitted with Elmbridge Borough Council and Mole Valley District Council, is annexed to the report (Annex 1) and Cabinet is asked to approve this for submission. As one of the lead authorities on the 2 unitary proposal, Surrey County Council has not been invited by government to respond to that proposal.    (The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee)