Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: November 25, 2025

Purpose: That Cabinet considers progress on work to date on devolution and local government reorganisation (DLGR) and takes decisions on any recommendations as appropriate.  

Content: RESOLVED: That Cabinet notes the Secretary of State’s decision to proceed with two unitary councils for Surrey (as set out in a letter copied at Appendix A) That Cabinet approves and recommends the establishment of two voluntary joint committees:   (a)  for the two identified areas to form the new councils, being:   (i)    an East Surrey Joint Committee, to be entered into between the principal authorities of Surrey County Council, Elmbridge Borough Council, Epsom and Ewell Borough Council, Mole Valley District Council, Reigate and Banstead Borough Council and Tandridge District Council; and   (ii)   a West Surrey Joint Committee, to be entered into between the principal authorities of Surrey County Council, Guildford Borough Council, Runnymede Borough Council, Spelthorne Borough Council, Surrey Heath Borough Council, Waverley Borough Council and Woking Borough Council;   (b)  That Cabinet agrees to delegate authority to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader to agree the terms of reference for the voluntary East and West Surrey Joint Committees, in accordance with the draft terms of reference as set out in Appendix B to this report, to include that:   (i)    the Joint Committees are to take such form and be authorised to undertake such functions as are expected to be required of a joint committee established under a Surrey (Structural Changes) Order (“SCO”), as made under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, together with such other functions as may be agreed with the other authorities by the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader; and   (ii)   the Joint Committees are to continue in place until such time as the SCO comes into force, from which point onwards the Joint Committees shall continue and undertake responsibility for those functions as may be specified in the SCO, until the day following that on which the East Surrey Council and the West Surrey Council hold their first meeting in shadow authority form. (c)   That Cabinet agrees to refer the agreement of the County Council's nominations of members to the voluntary joint committees to the Council meeting on 9 December 2025, following consideration by the political groups as set out in paragraph 12 in the body of the report. 3.    That Cabinet acknowledges the latest developments for devolution and authorises the Chief Executive to progress with planning and negotiation for the establishment of a Surrey-wide combined (strategic) authority. 4.    That Cabinet notes the progress on the development of Neighbourhood Area Committees (NACs) and the planned submission of an evaluation report in January 2026.       Reasons for Decisions:   As Surrey transitions to two new unitary local authorities, the Council remains committed to maintaining openness and transparency with residents and wider partners. This includes regular updates on our D&LGR work, as well as the development of a strong community engagement model through the Neighbourhood Area Committee pilot programme.   Following the government’s decision, current Surrey councils will start to prepare for shadow elections in May 2026 and vesting day for the new unitary councils in April 2027. Ahead of this, legislation will be passed to set up necessary transitionary arrangements, such as joint committees, enabling councils across Surrey to work in partnership to deliver a safe and legal transfer to the new structure.   (The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee)