Decision Maker: Executive

Outcome: For Determination

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: December 10, 2025

Purpose: 1.    This report updates the Executive and full Council on the Government’s plans for Local Government Reorganisation in Surrey.   2.    Following the Government’s announcement on 28 October 2025, setting out their decision as to how Surrey’s current 12 Councils will come together to implement the transition to unitary local government, this report outlines immediate next steps.   3.    In particular the report outlines proposals and recommendations relating to the establishment of a Joint Committee, between the Councils in the geography of West Surrey Council. Such committee to be established initially on a voluntary basis, following an affirmative decision of each council. The proposals reflect as closely as possible the expected provisions of the SCO. Similar proposals are being made for a Joint Committee within the geography of East Surrey Council.   4.    The Joint Standards Committee, at its meeting on 9 December 2025, will be considering a similar report and will be asked to make recommendations to both councils in respect of the necessary Constitutional changes required as a consequence of approval of the recommendations in this report.  

Content: RESOLVED that:   1.    The Secretary of State’s decision to proceed with two unitary councils for Surrey, as set out in the letter at appendix A to this report is NOTED;   2.    Subject to the similar approval by Surrey County Council, Guildford Borough Council, Runnymede Borough Council, Spelthorne Borough Council, Surrey Heath Borough Council and Woking Borough Council, the establishment of a West Surrey Joint Committee, in accordance with section 101(5) of the Local Government Act 1972 and pursuant to the requirements of the draft Surrey (Structural Changes) Order 2026, to be entered into between Waverley Borough Council and the other principal authorities referenced in this paragraph IS APPROVED;   3.    The Leader of Waverley Borough Council as the Waverley Borough Council representative on the West Surrey Joint Committee and to recommend their appointment to Council is NOMINATED;   4.    The nomination and appointment of any substitute member on the West Surrey Joint Committee to the Leader of the Council is RECCOMENDED to Council:   5.    The draft terms of reference of the West Surrey Joint Committee as set out in Appendix B to this report, and to delegate to the Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, the authority to make minor amendments is APPROVED;   6.    Whilst the West Surrey Joint Committee is established by resolution of all current councils in the geography of the proposed West Surrey Council, on a voluntary basis, upon the enactment of the Surrey (Structural Changes) Order 2026 the West Surrey Joint Committee shall become the  joint committee required to be established under the provisions of that legislation and that this will be constituted and established under the provisions of section 101 (5) of the Local Government Act 1972 and pursuant to the requirements of the Surrey (Structural Changes) Order 2026 is NOTED.   7.    The delegation of all Waverley Borough Council Executive functions, within the terms of reference of the West Surrey Joint Committee, to the West Surrey Joint Committee is APPROVED.   RECCOMENDED that the Council resolves to: 1.    Take into account the recommendations of the Joint Standards Committee;   2.    Note the resolution of the Executive to establish a West Surrey Joint Committee, subject to the decision of other councils, between the principal authorities of Surrey County Council, Guildford Borough Council, Waverley Borough Council, Spelthorne Borough Council, Runnymede Borough Council and Surrey Heath Borough Council.   3.    Note the Executive’s approval of the draft terms of reference for the West Surrey Joint Committee as set out at Appendix B;   4.    Note the Executive’s recommendation of the Leader as the nominated Waverley Borough Council to represent Waverley Borough Council on the West Surrey Joint Committee and resolve to make such appointment;   5.    Delegate authority to the Leader of the Council to nominate and appoint any substitute member to represent Waverley Borough Council on the West Surrey Joint Committee;   6.    Delegate all non-Executive functions relating to Waverley Borough Council, within the remit of the West Surrey Joint Committee, to the West Surrey Joint Committee;   7.    Delegate to the Monitoring Officer the authority to make any necessary and consequential amendments, arising from the resolutions of the Executive and the Council in this matter, to the Waverley Borough Council constitution.