Government announces new councils for Surrey

The government has made its first decision on its local government reorganisation by announcing that Surrey will become two unitary authorities, namely, East Surrey and West Surrey. Each unitary will service the local needs of around 600,000 residents.

West Surrey will comprise the existing district councils of Surrey Heath, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Woking, Guildford and Waverley.

The new councils will have responsibility for delivering all services in one area including waste collection, planning, adult social care, children’s services and highways, with  the aim of cutting duplication and  securing cost savings.

Elections for the new councils will take place in May 2026, with the new authorities formally taking over responsibilities from 1 April 2027.

Surrey County Council will work together with all councils in Surrey to implement this new model and ensure a smooth transition.

This model is similar to the unitary structure we have today in Berkshire, but on a much larger scale.

The population for the whole of Berkshire is 950,000 with the Royal Borough and Bracknell Forest being respectively 160,000 and 130,000.

The timescale for elections is May 2027 with full implementation in April 2028.