Surrey councils make progress with Local Government Reorganisation transition 

A key milestone in the reorganisation to two new councils for Surrey has been reached, with local councillors coming together for the first time as committees to lay the foundations for the transition. 

The government announced last year that Surrey County Council and Surrey’s 11 district and borough councils should reorganise into two new unitary authorities – West Surrey Council and East Surrey Council. 

In May, residents will elect councillors who will serve on the new councils, which will initially be ‘shadow authorities’ tasked with setting up the new organisations. Then from April 2027, they’ll officially take over delivering all local services in each area. Until then, district and borough councils and Surrey County Council will continue to deliver their current services with existing councillors. 

New Joint Committees 

Due to the scale, complexity and timescales of work to be delivered, the new committees, made up of existing councillors from the borough, district and county councils, will start the initial work.  

The East Surrey Voluntary Joint Committee met on Thursday 15 January at the Surrey County Council office in Reigate, and the West Surrey Voluntary Joint Committee met on Friday 16 January at Woking Borough Council.  

Both committees agreed to the development of an implementation plan for the new councils, including the implementation team made up of council officers, chairs of the committees and the process to agree some of the key officer roles that will support shadow councils on an interim basis until the permanent recruitment takes place.  

Both committees will now meet monthly and will rotate around their areas, until the shadow authorities are formed after the elections. 

Terence Herbert, Senior Responsible Officer for the Surrey Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) Programme and Chief Executive of Surrey County Council said: “This is an important milestone for LGR in Surrey and I’m grateful that councillors have agreed to come together on a voluntary basis to get this vital work underway. 

“At the heart of this programme is ensuring that residents continue to receive the services they expect from their local councils, both under the existing arrangements and under the new unitary authorities. As a collective group of councils, we are well prepared for change and committed to ensuring a smooth transition for residents and staff.” 

Government is also clear that simplifying local government ensures a strong foundation for devolution and that they are committed to working with partners across Surrey to establish a strategic authority for the area. The ambition is to bring further devolution to Surrey and there are ongoing discussions between local officials and Government on this.  
 

Notes for editors 

About local government reorganisation in Surrey: 

Instead of county and district and borough councils, residents will have one council for the services they rely on – education, waste collection, roads, housing, play areas, countryside, leisure facilities, planning, children’s services, adult social care, community funding and elections.  

This new approach means less complexity, better value for money, and improved services where they matter most.  

• West Surrey Council – Guildford, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath, Waverley, Woking, plus Surrey County Council  

• East Surrey Council – Elmbridge, Epsom and Ewell, Mole Valley, Reigate and Banstead, Tandridge, plus Surrey County Council  

See the meeting agenda for the East Surrey Voluntary Joint Committee: Agenda for East Surrey Voluntary Joint Committee on Thursday, 15 January 2026, 3.30 pm – Surrey County Council and for the West Surrey Voluntary Joint Committee: Agenda for West Surrey Voluntary Joint Committee on Friday, 16 January 2026, 12.00 pm – Surrey County Council.