Update 28th October 2025
Government Confirms Two-Unitary Model for Surrey
The Government has confirmed its final decision on the future of local government in Surrey, approving a move to a two-unitary model.
This means that, from April 2027, the current county, district and borough councils will be replaced by two new unitary authorities, East Surrey and West Surrey, responsible for all local services.
Spelthorne will be in the West Surrey unitary alongside the geographic areas of Guildford, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath, Waverley, and Woking councils.
Elections for the new shadow unitary authorities in Surrey are scheduled for May 2026, with new authorities expected to become operational in April 2027.
Leader of Spelthorne Borough Council, Cllr Joanne Sexton, said: “Although we supported an alternative proposal for three unitary authorities, we are determined to use this once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape local government around the needs and priorities of our residents. While change of this scale brings challenges, it also unlocks the potential for more joined-up services and a fairer deal for our communities. We are committed to making this transition work in a way that truly improves people’s lives.”
Update 27th June 2025
Have Your Say on the Future of Local Government in Surrey
In this video Cllr Joanne Sexton discusses the future of local government in Surrey and the importance of supporting the three-unitary model to keep Spelthorne’s voice strong. Have your say and take part in the official government consultation. Let’s shape our future together!
https://www.facebook.com/spelthornebc/videos/1020740846878247/
7th May 2025
Spelthorne Borough Council has voted to support a proposal for creating three new unitary authorities in Surrey, as part of a government-led reorganisation of local government
What’s this all about?
Currently, Surrey operates under a two-tier system, with responsibilities split between the county Council and 11 district and borough councils. Under the government’s accelerated reform programme, this system will be replaced by unitary authorities delivering all local services.
Can we become a London Borough?
Disappointingly, the option of joining a London borough, something many felt deserved proper consideration, has been excluded. Spelthorne is an urban area with distinct needs, and residents should be the ones to shape its future. This is a question of democratic fairness.
A recent county-wide survey found that nearly two-thirds of Spelthorne residents who responded support the three-unitary model, citing the value of local decision-making and accountability.
Council Leader, Cllr Joanne Sexton, said: “Residents want councils that understand their local needs. Bigger, centralised authorities risk weakening that vital connection. The survey clearly shows that our community supports three unitary councils – not fewer.”
Deputy Leader, Cllr Chris Bateson, added: “This proposal reflects cross-party collaboration and a shared vision for stronger, more responsive local government in Surrey.”
Final proposals are due to be submitted to the government by 9th May, with a decision expected in the Autumn.
Links to more information
Meeting agenda and background reports visit https://democracy.spelthorne.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=133&MId=5019
More information about local government reorganisation, visit https://www.surreylgrhub.org/
***REPOST https://www.spelthorne.gov.uk/article/22168/Spelthorne-backs-three-unitary-model-for-local-government-reorganisation***
24th March 2025
At an Extraordinary Full Council meeting held on Tuesday 18th March to consider an interim proposal for Local Government Reorganisation, Spelthorne Borough Councillors voted in favour of the creation of three unitaries.
This is in response to the government’s plans to abolish councils where two tiers of local government exist and replace them with unitary councils which deliver all local services. This means district and borough councils in Surrey, including Spelthorne, will disappear.
Councils across Surrey worked together to develop and agree the interim proposal which looked at having either two or three unitary authorities in Surrey. The leaders of Surrey’s eleven district and borough councils and the Leader of Surrey County Council ruled out a single unitary in February.
Important Dates
Spelthorne Borough Council needed to submit an interim proposal for reorganisation to government by 21st March, with a full proposal by 9th May. The government is then expected to decide on Surrey’s future in the autumn.
Interim Proposal
The interim proposal is available on Spelthorne Council’s website and has two parts:
- Part A: sets out how Surrey County Council and the District and Borough Councils are working together to progress local government reorganisation following the directive from the government
- Part B: sets out a reorganisation proposal drawn up by the districts and boroughs and a proposal drawn up by Surrey County Council which discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different options
The Leader of Spelthorne Borough Council, Councillor Joanne Sexton, said: “We firmly believe that the three-unitary option offers far more advantages than two. Three unitaries would better address the specific needs of different parts of the county, drive economic growth, and build a sustainable future. This approach ensures residents are properly represented and that their voices are heard.
“Local services, particularly those supporting vulnerable residents, must be delivered fairly and consistently across the county. Accessibility is also a key factor for residents, especially those who don’t drive, we need localised services that are easy to reach. Proper accountability and effective service delivery would be significantly more challenging with only two unitary authorities.”
Press Release: Spelthorne Borough Council – HERE
More information on the Local Government Reorganisation plans for Surrey – HERE
Full Link: https://www.spelthorne.gov.uk/LGR
5th February 2025
Looks like the Surrey County Council May 2025 Elections have been officially cancelled / postponed
https://news.surreycc.gov.uk/2025/02/05/government-confirm-surrey-for-local-government-reorganisation-and-devolution/
8th January 2025
RA/Independents Group Calls for More Time as Local Government Reorganisation Looms
Residents’ Association and Independents Group leader Cllr Catherine Powell today (8th January 2025) called for more time and greater consultation to consider sweeping changes to Local Government. This will abolish District and Borough councils in favour of unitary authorities, as set out in the Government Devolution White Paper.
She described the highly aggressive timetable and lack of detail as instructing Councils to ‘rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic when they know they have already hit the iceberg’.
This rushed process gave Councils only 26 days, over the holiday period, to signal their intention to be a part of the Devolution Priority Programme, a decision that Councillors were asked to note rather than approve at today’s Extraordinary Meeting.
The Residents’ Association and Independents Group holds a wide variety of views on the proposed changes. The majority of the group support the move to unitary authorities, but many have real concerns about the proposed postponement of the May elections to meet the Government’s timetable.
Leader of the Council Cllr Tim Oliver OBE will put this process in motion following today’s Extraordinary Meeting, writing to the Minister of State for Local Government and Devolution Jim McMahon to signal Surrey’s intention to press ahead with the changes, including a request to postpone the May elections.
The pre-work that goes into setting up the new unitary authorities is critical to managing risks and realising any potential savings from consolidation of the tiers of Government. The Residents’ Association and Independents Group will have a seat at the table in the development of the Interim Proposals for Local Government Re-organisation due in March and is well placed to contribute, having undertaken significant analysis over the festive period. This analysis has been shared with the Cabinet, the Leaders of the District and Borough Councils, as well as Local MPs.
An absolute red line for the Group – as part of Local Government Reorganisation – is that the substantial debts of the District and Borough Councils are written off to give the new unitary authorities a fighting chance of being successful.
Cllr Powell commented that:
“The White Paper sets an impossible timescale that hasn’t been achieved by any successful Unitary Authority. We would have to combine multiple financial systems in less than a year, which based on recent Surrey experience simply isn’t possible. Local Government exists to serve residents – let’s ensure that they are at the centre of everything we do.”
Link to Surrey ECM meeting papers and video:
Agenda for Council on Wednesday, 8 January 2025, 10.00 am – Surrey County Council
For further information contact:
Cllr Catherine Powell
07824516433
catherine.powell@surreycc.gov.uk
On the 8 January from Cllr Tim Oliver, Leader of Surrey County Council wrote to Jim McMahon MP, Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, asking to postpone Surrey County Council elections, to allow time to put together proposals for local government reform. The full letter can be read here:
In response, the Surrey Districts and Borough Council Leaders, who don’t support the request to postpone County Council election in May have issued a letter to Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government – Rt Hon. Angela Rayner MP (below)
To confirm Cllr Sexton, Leader of Spelthorne Borough Council, has signed along with all the other Districts and Boroughs the main letter to the Government confirming they DO NOT support the postponement of the Surrey County Council elections scheduled for May 2025
Press Release: Spelthorne Borough Council – HERE
Cllr Joanne Sexton, Leader of Spelthorne Borough Council said, “It is important that as the government has now made its intentions clear, we engage in the process to ensure that we deliver the best outcome possible for Spelthorne residents and businesses within this devolution framework.
We recognise that Local government reorganisation is a stepping stone to improving efficiencies. However, this administration is concerned about the pace of the proposals and cannot support the plan to remove the right for residents to vote in the upcoming County Council elections in May. Local democracy is imperative to how we deliver our services and consultation with residents on such a fundamental change is vital. We will continue to represent our Borough, putting our residents at the heart of everything we do.”
More Information:
In the news:
BBC Article – Surrey council to ask for elections to be postponed
@AnushkaAsthana ITV News
Petition:
