West Surrey Council Leader sets out vision for the future

As preparations continue for the new council ahead of April 2027, Cllr Follows has outlined his ambition to build an open and accountable authority that delivers real results for residents, businesses and communities across West Surrey. He has also highlighted the importance of tackling financial pressures head-on and creating a stable and resilient council that is fit for the future.

As West Surrey Council takes shape, residents, businesses, partners and community groups also have the opportunity to help influence the future identity of the new authority, helping to ensure it reflects the distinct character of local towns, villages and communities.

The new West Surrey Council will bring together services currently delivered by Surrey County Council and the district and borough councils in Guildford, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath, Waverley and Woking into a single organisation from 1 April 2027.

Watch Cllr Follows discuss the vision for West Surrey Council

Cllr Follows said: 

Our vision for West Surrey is bold. Local government reorganisation will create positive change, but we must ensure we remain genuinely local. Decision-making must stay close to the people it impacts in our towns and villages. Our communities will only thrive if their unique community needs are truly considered.

As we continue establishing the new council, we must be honest about the challenges ahead. There is no denying that debt will be our greatest hurdle, but we cannot let it define us. 

Through disciplined financial oversight and persistent government engagement, we will build a stable council fit for the future. West Surrey Council is expected to inherit approximately £4 billion of debt from its predecessor authorities, around half of which originates from Woking Borough Council. 

Whilst the government's commitment to provide a first tranche of support through a £500m debt write-off has been welcome, substantial financial liabilities will remain. Without further support, there is a genuine risk that West Surrey residents will face poorer outcomes than those elsewhere in the country.

The government has a unique opportunity to place West Surrey on a sustainable footing from day one and give the new council the best possible chance of success, and I'll continue to push them for that support.

July West Surrey Shadow Executive meeting

At its July shadow executive meeting last week, Cllr Follows and the West Surrey Shadow Executive reiterated their commitment to building an open, accountable and high-performing council that delivers better outcomes.

They provisionally agreed recommendations on how services could be delivered by the future West Surrey Council. While this is an important milestone in planning for local government reorganisation, this is only the beginning of the process and will be subject to further consideration with the East Surrey Shadow executive and formal approval later this year. 

In the meantime, the proposals, supported by the Cabinet Executive, provide a foundation for detailed planning over the summer, helping to ensure a smooth transition for services, staff and residents.

The Executive also made decisions on work to prepare the new council, including waste services, the new council’s Corporate Strategy and the Implementation Plan for local government reorganisation - which is making good progress on key areas such as Section 24 arrangements and the recruitment of a permanent Chief Executive.

Section 24 is especially important – it is legal safeguard that helps protect the finances of the new West (and East) Surrey councils before they officially start on 1 April 2027. It means Surrey councils cannot make certain large spending decisions, sign major contracts, or sell high-value land without first getting approval.

Cllr Leslie Rice, Shadow Executive Portfolio Holder for Finance, said:

Section 24 is an important safeguard that helps ensure major financial decisions are carefully reviewed during the transition to the new West Surrey Council. 

This will help the new council start on a solid and transparent financial footing, giving our residents confidence that we can focus on delivering the local services they rely on from day one.

Watch a recording of the West Surrey Shadow Executive meeting

The next West Surrey Shadow Full Council meeting is taking place on Thursday 30 July at 7pm.