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Updates on creating the two new councils across Surrey including comments from Leatherhead councillor Bridget Kendrick leader of Mole Valley.<\/p>\n
Progress continues with\u00a0Surrey\u2019s\u00a0transition\u00a0to East Surrey Council and West Surrey Council<\/a><\/p>\n On 18 and 19 February, the Voluntary Joint Committees for East and West Surrey continued preparations for the April 2027 transition, when the current county, district and borough councils will be replaced by two new unitary authorities responsible for all local services.\u00a0<\/p>\n The\u00a0Voluntary Joint Committees<\/a>\u00a0bring together\u00a0councillors\u00a0from the existing councils\u00a0to\u00a0plan the transition to West and East Surrey. They are\u00a0meeting monthly\u00a0until the shadow authorities are formed\u00a0for West and East Surrey\u00a0following the May 2026 elections.\u00a0<\/p>\n During their February meetings, both Voluntary Joint Committees:\u00a0<\/p>\n reaffirmed their commitment, as set out in the agreed\u00a0programme\u00a0vision, to creating strong, modern councils that deliver high\u2011quality services and ensure a seamless transition\u00a0 adopted the core working principles of collaboration, trust, honesty, representation, respect for\u00a0expertise\u00a0and accountability\u00a0\u00a0 received an\u00a0update on the Implementation Plan that will drive the transition to the new east and west Surrey unitary councils in April 2027\u00a0 set out a transparent process for filling key statutory posts and\u00a0establishing\u00a0an Independent Remuneration Panel for councillor allowances\u00a0 underscored the importance of clear communication with residents about upcoming changes and the election process, supporting continued updates through the\u00a0Future Surrey website<\/a>, social media, newsletters, community venues, and printed information delivered to households.\u00a0<\/p>\n Terence Herbert, Senior Responsible Officer for\u00a0Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation\u00a0in Surrey and Chief Executive of Surrey County Council said:\u202f\u202f\u00a0\u201cSurrey\u2019s transition to East Surrey Council and West Surrey Council continues to make strong, steady progress. Our focus\u00a0remains\u00a0on ensuring stability,\u00a0transparency\u00a0and continuity. That means putting robust governance in place, preparing clear processes, and making sure residents know\u00a0what\u2019s\u00a0changing, what it means for them, and how they can take part in the upcoming elections.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Cllr\u00a0Bridget Kendrick,\u202fChair of\u00a0the East\u00a0Surrey\u00a0Voluntary Joint\u00a0Committee and\u00a0Mole Valley District Council\u00a0Leader\u00a0said:\u00a0\u201cThe East Surrey Joint Committee is working hard to make sure the move to\u00a0the new\u00a0East Surrey Council follows a strong and robust implementation plan that puts residents first\u00a0and I am pleased with the pace of progress to date. Our priority is to keep local services running smoothly throughout the transition, and\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0important that we keep residents updated along the way.\u201d\u00a0 It was also noted\u00a0that the government is asking all areas going through local government\u00a0reorganisation\u00a0nationally to express interest in setting up a Foundational Strategic Authority, which the government\u00a0sees\u00a0as setting the foundations for a mayor. Surrey councils will consider this before\u00a0the\u00a0government deadline of 20 March.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n You can view meeting papers,\u00a0the full list of councillors for each committee\u00a0and the webcasts:\u00a0<\/p>\n The next meetings of the Voluntary Joint Committees,\u00a0West\u00a0and\u00a0East,\u00a0are on\u00a013 March at Elmbridge Borough Council offices in Esher. These meetings will also be webcast.\u00a0<\/p>\n About\u00a0Devolution and Local\u00a0Government\u00a0Reorganisation in Surrey\u00a0<\/p>\n Local government in Surrey is changing to create a simpler, more connected system that can better meet local needs. From April 2027, the current county,\u00a0district\u00a0and borough councils will be replaced by two new unitary councils:\u00a0East Surrey Council\u00a0and\u00a0West Surrey Council. Each will deliver all local services, including education, roads, waste collection, housing, planning, children\u2019s services, adult social care, leisure centres, play areas, and support for the countryside.\u00a0<\/p>\n This change will reduce duplication, improve value for money, and bring services together under one organisation for each area.\u00a0Elections for the new councils<\/a>\u00a0will take place on\u00a07 May 2026, after which the elected councillors will act as shadow authorities to oversee the transition.\u00a0There will be no ward council or county council elections.\u00a0<\/p>\n Until April 2027, all services continue as normal, and residents should keep using the same council offices, websites and contact channels. Surrey Fire and Rescue Service and Surrey Police continue to serve the whole county.\u00a0<\/p>\n The reorganisation aims to strengthen local services\u00a0and\u00a0support sustainable finances.\u00a0<\/p>\n Surrey is also working with government on plans for a Strategic Authority that could bring\u00a0additional\u00a0powers and funding to the county.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Cllr Ann-Marie Barker, Chair of the West Surrey Voluntary Joint Committee and Woking Borough Council Leader said:\u00a0\u201cThe Joint Committees are playing an important collaborative role in planning the transition to the new councils.\u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0important that work happens transparently with thorough attention to detail, and\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0pleased to see positive progress. Most importantly, throughout the transition, it is essential that we\u00a0maintain\u00a0strong services across all councils in the best interests of our residents and stakeholders.\u201d\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n