{"id":888044,"date":"2026-09-08T14:36:22","date_gmt":"2026-09-08T14:36:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/888044\/"},"modified":"2026-09-08T14:36:22","modified_gmt":"2026-09-08T14:36:22","slug":"east-surrey-council-woodhatch-place-reigate-recommended-as-initial-hq-east-surrey-news-leatherhead-living","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/888044\/","title":{"rendered":"East Surrey Council : Woodhatch Place Reigate recommended as initial HQ \u2013 East Surrey News \u2013 Leatherhead Living"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

News release from the shadow East Surrey Council: <\/p>\n

Woodhatch Place identified as preferred location for East Surrey Council\u2019s initial headquarters\u00a0<\/p>\n

Woodhatch\u00a0Place in Reigate \u2013 the current HQ of Surrey County Council \u2013 has been recommended as the preferred location for East Surrey Council\u2019s\u00a0main office\u00a0 building\u00a0from 1 April 2027.<\/p>\n

If approved by the East Surrey Shadow Executive\u00a0on 14 September,\u00a0this essential, short-term decision\u00a0will help ensure the new council can operate effectively and maintain continuity of services for residents from the day it is established, as well as providing a flexible workspace for staff<\/p>\n

The recommendation is intended to give East Surrey Council a suitable base from day one, while allowing time to develop longer-term plans for its offices and buildings across the area.<\/p>\n

Continued access to local council services<\/p>\n

Residents will continue to be able to visit existing local council offices across East Surrey to enquire about council services and seek support. Online and telephone services will also continue to be available, ensuring residents can access information and support in the way that works for them.<\/p>\n

The proposal of\u00a0Woodhatch\u00a0as East Surrey\u2019s\u00a0initial\u00a0headquarters, will\u00a0not affect how residents access council services in their local communities.<\/p>\n

Councillor\u00a0Steve Wotton, Leader, East Surrey\u00a0Shadow Council said:\u00a0\u201cThis recommendation is about making sure East Surrey Council has the right facilities in place to operate effectively from day one and continue delivering services for residents without disruption.\u00a0Woodhatch\u00a0Place offers a practical and cost-effective base for the new council\u2019s administrative functions, while giving us time to consider longer-term arrangements for council buildings across East Surrey. <\/p>\n

Importantly, residents will continue to be able to access services locally through existing council offices, as well as online and by telephone.\u201d<\/p>\n

How was the recommendation made?<\/p>\n

A range of council-owned buildings across East Surrey were assessed against several criteria, including accessibility, transport links, office and council chamber capacity, value for money, IT\u00a0infrastructure\u00a0and parking provision.<\/p>\n

The assessment\u00a0identified\u00a0Woodhatch\u00a0Place as the location best able to meet the operational requirements of the new authority\u00a0from 1 April 2027.<\/p>\n

The recommendation does not\u00a0 determine\u00a0future staffing structures or individual employee work locations. Any workforce changes will be considered separately\u00a0after 1 April 2027\u00a0and would include staff engagement and consultation where\u00a0required.<\/p>\n

A report detailing proposals for civic functions will be considered\u00a0at a later date\u00a0and will include information about proposed meeting locations and times.<\/p>\n

Full report to shadow Councillors https:\/\/mygov.elmbridge.gov.uk\/documents\/s63402\/East%20Surrey%20Day%201%20Headquarters%20HQ%20-%20ESSA%20Exec%20-%20140926.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n

Read the reports for the East Surrey Shadow Executive meeting.<\/a><\/p>\n

Note \u2013 Woodhatch Place on the south side Reigate is the former Canon HQ building acquired by SCC in the past decade. It is not the Reigate Town Hall building on the one way system which is the current HQ of the borough council. <\/p>\n

East Surrey Council takes over most of the functions of SCC and all the districts and boroughs 1 April 2027. Shadow councillors were elected in May 2026.<\/p>\n

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