Decisions

Following the publication of the English Devolution White Paper on 16 December 2024, all councils in Surrey have been invited onto an accelerated pathway for local government reorganisation (LGR), paving the way to unlock further devolution and create more sustainable, effective local government for the county.

The Cabinet report taken to Cabinet on 7 May 2025 summarised the council’s Final Plan for LGR in Surrey which was later submitted to government on 9 May 2025 following Cabinet approval. The Final Plan (Annex 1 of 7 May Cabinet papers) makes the case for two unitary councils on an East/West geography, underpinned by a robust options appraisal and thorough financial analysis. Two unitary councils will help ensure the future of local government in Surrey is cost effective, simplified and strengthened whilst unlocking further devolution for the county.

Following the Cabinet decision on 7 May 2025, some minor amendments were made to the Final Plan and its appendices. In addition, a cover letter to the Minister for Local Government and English Devolution was drafted, to accompany the Final Plan when sent to government. Together the letter and the Final Plan were submitted to government on 9 May 2025.

It was AGREED that:

1.               Following Cabinet approval on 7 May, final amendments are made to the Final Plan (and associated information) for Local Government Reorganisation in Surrey by the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council.

2.               That the Leader of Surrey County Council submits the Final Plan to government in line with the 9 May 2025 deadline.

A key element in achieving the Community Vision for Surrey 2030 is Adult Social Care’s Right Homes Right Support (formerly know as Accommodation with Care and Support Strategy) (RHRS), which was endorsed by the Council’s Cabinet in July 2019. The RHRS Strategy aims to deliver sufficient units of affordable extra care housing to reduce SCC’s reliance on traditional residential and nursing care over the next ten years.

For older people with care and support needs, this means increasing the availability of extra care housing across all tenures, with a commitment to achieve an additional 725 social rent units by 2030. Once operational the Council will be required to commission Care and Support services into each of the sites delivered.

Approval to procure a Contract for the delivery of Extra Care – Care and Support was granted by cabinet via the 2023/2024 Annual Procurement Forward Plan (Minute Ref 206/22).

Decision made:

It was agreed that the council shall proceed to award Contracts for the purposes of delivering Extra Care – Care and Support.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet notes the report on Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation.

RESOLVED:

1.    That Cabinet approves the Council’s Final Plan for Local Government Reorganisation in Surrey.

2.    That Cabinet agrees that the Leader of Surrey County Council submits the Final Plan to government for the 9 May deadline.

3.    That Cabinet delegates authority to make any final amendments to the Final Plan (and other associated information) for Local Government Reorganisation in Surrey to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, before submission within the deadline given by the Secretary of State.

Reasons for Decisions:

On 18 March 2025 Surrey County Council submitted an Interim Plan for LGR, which set out the council’s preferred option to reorganise the existing 12 councils into two new unitary authorities. A shortlist of four potential geographical configurations was included. 

Following submission of the Interim Plan, extensive work has taken place to develop a robust evidence base and clear vision for strengthened, simpler and more cost-effective local government in Surrey. This Final Plan (Annex 1), due to be submitted to government on 9 May 2025, proposes an East and a West unitary council, working in conjunction with a Surrey Mayoral Strategic Authority.

Reorganising to East and West Surrey will unlock devolution on a Surrey footprint whilst creating two new unitaries that are large enough to deliver effectively the full range of services currently offered by councils. Two councils will also deliver higher ongoing net annual benefits when compared to three unitaries.

Our analysis shows this geography creates councils with equitable starting points across population, land area, flooding risk, educational responsibility, total miles of public highways and number of birth and death registrations. It also shows a strong correlation between the Adult Social Care and Children’s Social Services budgets and key funding sources, better enabling both East and West Surrey to continue to deliver high quality social care.

This is an historic moment for Surrey. Our vision is a future where East and West Surrey unitary authorities deliver quality, cost effective public services to residents. The Mayoral Strategic Authority will work closely with local and regional partners to deliver strategic priorities, and communities will thrive with an engagement model that strengthens preventative activity. Local neighbourhoods will remain at the core of public services, empowered and informed within this new, enhanced structure.