District and borough councils across Surrey have published proposals for local government reorganisation, defying the Government’s requests for unity on final proposals.
Whilst Surrey County Council has submitted a proposal for two unitary councils, eight out of its eleven district and borough councils have requested a three unitary council model instead of the two-tier system currently in place.
Within the proposals published on their websites today, the eight district and borough councils have outlined the benefits they are confident a three unitary authority would provide, including boosted local economies and strengthened democracy.
Whilst the plans of two of Surrey’s eleven district and borough councils remain uncertain, their final proposals are required between May 6-8 in order for government to make a final decision by the end of 2025.
Cllr Hannah Dalton, Chair of the Surrey Leaders Group and Chair of the Epsom & Ewell Borough Council Residents' Association (Majority Group) said: ‘This is a significant achievement and the culmination of much collaboration and hard work by council leaders and officers across the county.’
She added: ‘There are still issues to be resolved, including how debt will be managed. Over the coming weeks and months, we will continue to work at pace towards a vision for the county that delivers for our residents and communities, that enables us to unlock the wider benefits that devolution can ultimately bring.’
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