Consultation on Proposals for Local Government Reorganisation in Surrey - Consultation on the Proposal from Borough Councils of Epsom and Ewell, Guildford, Reigate and Banstead, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath, Waverley, and Woking, and Tandridge District Council - Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Question 1: Does the proposal suggest sensible economic areas and geographies which will achieve a single tier of local government for the whole of Surrey?

Yes No

Please explain your answer, including any comments on whether this proposal suggests sensible economic areas (for example reflect economic geography/travel to work areas/functioning economies) for councils with an appropriate tax base that does not create an undue advantage or disadvantage for one part of the area, and a sensible geography that will help to increase housing supply and meet local needs.

Question 2: Will the local government structures being put forward, if implemented, achieve the outcomes described?

Yes No

Please explain your answer, including any specific comments on the evidence and analysis to support the proposals.

Question 3: Is the proposal for unitary local government of the right size to achieve efficiencies, improve capacity and withstand financial shocks and is this supported by a rationale for the population size proposed?

Yes No

Please explain your answer, including any specific comments on the efficiencies identified to help improve the councils’ finances, how it will manage transition costs and any future service transformation opportunities identified.

Question 4: As an area covering councils in Best Value intervention and in receipt of Exceptional Financial Support, do you agree the proposal will put local government in the area as a whole on a firmer footing?

As of 17 June 2025, councils in Surrey in Best Value intervention are Spelthorne Borough Council and Woking Borough Council.

As of 17 June 2025, the council in Surrey in receipt of Exceptional Financial Support in 2025/26 is Woking Borough Council.

Yes No

Please explain your answer, including any specific comments on the area-specific arrangements necessary to make new structures viable.

Question 5: Will the proposal prioritise the delivery of high quality and sustainable public services to citizens, improve local government and service delivery, avoid unnecessary fragmentation of services and lead to better value for money in the delivery of these services?

Yes No

Please explain your answer, including any comments on the public service reform opportunities within the proposal, including social care, children’s services, SEND and homelessness, and wider public services, including public safety.

Question 6: Has the proposal been informed by local views, and does it consider issues of local identity and cultural and historic importance?

Yes No

Please explain your answer, including any comments on the local engagement activity undertaken on the proposal and how it is proposed that any local concerns will be addressed.

Question 8: Will the proposal enable stronger community engagement and deliver genuine opportunity for neighbourhood empowerment?

Yes No

Do you have any comments on the proposed approach to community engagement?