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Today, district and borough councils have published proposals for local government reorganisation on their websites, to be debated at Council meetings across the county in the coming days. Final proposals will be submitted to Government by 9 May 2025.
Review the final proposals for local government reorganisation in Surrey
Woking councillors will debate the proposals at a Council meeting on Thursday 8 May, with a final decision on submitting the plan to government made by the Executive immediately afterwards.
Eight of the eleven district and borough councils are proposing a three unitary council model for Surrey. They believe that this is the best way to preserve local democracy and accountability and would ensure that new councils align with Surrey’s existing economic and community identities - creating the foundation for more responsive governance and stronger local economies. There is also a proposal for two unitary councils being submitted by Surrey County Council.
Councillors in Woking will consider both options carefully.
The new structure for local government will replace the current two-tier system of district, borough and county councils.
Cllr Ann-Marie Barker, Leader of Woking Borough Council, said: "Publication of these final proposals marks a significant milestone in the process of reshaping local government in Surrey.
“It’s only right that we fully explore both a two and three unitary authority model, enabling councillors to carefully consider what best serves our communities in the years ahead.
"Whatever the outcome, it’s vital that future arrangements deliver accountable and financially sustainable services.
“I look forward to a constructive debate with colleagues on Thursday 8 May as we help shape the next chapter for local government in Surrey."
Cllr Hannah Dalton, Chair of the Surrey Leaders Group and Chair of the Epsom & Ewell Borough Council Residents’ Association (Majority Group), added: “This is a significant achievement and the culmination of much collaboration and hard work by council leaders and officers across the county.
“There are still issues to be resolved, including how debt will be managed. Over the coming weeks and months, we will continue to work at pace towards a vision for the county that delivers for our residents and communities, that enables us to unlock the wider benefits that devolution can ultimately bring.
“I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who took part in the recent resident engagement which sought opinion on shaping Surrey’s future, the results of which indicated clear public support for a three unitary model of local government.
“We also appreciate the time given to us by representatives from charities, parish and town councils, residents forums, health services, community groups and others across the county in our stakeholder engagement exercise and roundtable group sessions. It was really important to make sure as many voices as possible were heard in this journey about the risks and opportunities of changes that will impact local services and communities.”
Government is expected to decide on proposals by the end of the year. If approved, legislation will be passed to allow the changes, and elections for new shadow unitary councils will be held in May 2026, with a view to the new unitaries going live in May 2027.
Read the local government reorganisation in Surrey council report