Government Consultation: Live Until 5 August 2025

Central government is holding a consultation about the future of Local Government across Surrey. The consultation will run until 5 August 2025. This will help government understand what residents, businesses and other stakeholders think about the two proposals being consulted on, so they can make a decision on which option, if any, will be implemented for Surrey.

Take Part Here

Local Government Reorganisation To Date

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has now officially launched its consultation on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Surrey

 

The Government is consulting on two options:

  • A two unitary council model supported by Mole Valley District Council, Surrey County Council and Elmbridge Borough Council. Under this option, the new East Surrey council would cover the area currently served by Elmbridge, Reigate & Banstead, Tandridge, Mole Valley and Epsom & Ewell councils.
  • A three unitary council model supported by nine other district and borough councils in Surrey. Under this option, the new East Surrey council would cover the area currently served by Reigate & Banstead, Tandridge, Mole Valley and Epsom & Ewell councils.

You can have your say until Tuesday 5 August by visiting the Surrey local government reorganisation webpage (Gov.UK). Responses may be made on the department’s online platform ‘Citizen Space’ or alternatively by email to lgreorganisation@communities.gov.uk or in writing to LGR Consultation, Fry Building 2NE, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, 2 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DF.

6 May 2025 – Submission of Local Reorganisation Proposals

Our councillors discussed the best way forward for Mole Valley and its residents regarding Surrey’s Local Government Reorganisation before the submission on 6 May. There were two proposals on the table:

Two Unitary Authorities – Proposed by Surrey County Council.

Two Unitary Proposal

Three Unitary Authorities – Prepared by eight district and borough councils.

Three Unitary Proposal

The proposals present two different approaches and below are some of the key differences:

  • Three Unitary Proposal: Mole Valley would be in the East, serving 407,000 residents across Mole Valley, Reigate and Banstead, Epsom, Ewell, and Tandridge.
  • Two Unitary Proposal: Includes the same areas but adds Elmbridge, increasing the total population served to almost 546,000 residents.
  • Two Unitary Proposal: Suggests a minimum of two councillors per division, each representing up to 5,500 electors.
  • Three Unitary Proposal: Proposes three councillors per division, each representing approximately 3,500 electors.

Both proposals use the same base data but differ significantly in their assumptions, particularly in how services such as Adult Social Care and Children’s Services would be delivered in the future.

  • Two Unitary Proposal: Introduces the idea of setting up multi-agency Community Boards.
  • Three Unitary Proposal: Explores various methods such as setting up commissions, community champion schemes, and using participatory budgeting approaches.

Both proposals emphasise the need for close collaboration with communities, including town and parish councils and residents’ associations.

Our Decision

After careful consideration of both proposals, our councillors voted in favor of the proposal for two unitaries. This proposal, if implemented, would bring Mole Valley, Elmbridge, Reigate and Banstead, Epsom and Ewell, and Tandridge together as one new authority. This proposal will be submitted jointly to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) by Surrey County Council, Elmbridge Borough Council, and Mole Valley District Council in time for the 9 May deadline.

We believe this will be the most effective way of providing Mole Valley residents and businesses with a new authority that is financially viable, capable of sustaining economic growth, protecting our environment, and balancing the needs of both rural and urban communities.

Important Areas for Further Discussion

Mole Valley has identified several important areas for further conversation with partners, the Local Government Boundary Commission, MHCLG, and the new shadow authority. These include:

  • The number of councillors
  • Transitional arrangements
  • Establishing new town and parish councils where supported by local communities
  • Preserving community assets
  • Additional services provided by choice
  • Strengthening the role of local government in tackling climate change

We will be writing to Surrey County Council and MHCLG to explain our views.

Next Steps

We expect the Secretary of State to consider all proposals submitted by 9 May and decide over the summer months which, if any, will be progressed, with or without modifications. Once there is clarity regarding the preferred way forward, a public consultation will follow before the final decision is made on whether or not to implement the chosen proposal. This is likely to be in the autumn.

Previous Updates:

Councillor Stephen Cooksey, Leader of Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) has previously explained MVDC’s position on Local Government Reorganisation in his update on 28 March. On 18 March, the Council concluded that it would be beneficial to have additional information before expressing a preference regarding the future structure of local government across Surrey. Consequently, MVDC did not provide an opinion on the number of unitary councils that should be established when the twelve current authorities are dissolved.

Since then, Surrey County Council (SCC) has been developing a proposal for two unitary councils across Surrey. Meanwhile, the eight Districts and Boroughs that did express a preference have been working on a proposal for three unitary councils.

The final proposal from the eight district and borough councils and Surrey County Council’s proposal have been published. MVDC will make its decision at an extraordinary meeting on 6 May.

MVDC acknowledged the interim proposal for Local Government Reorganisation in Surrey submitted on 21 March. We remain open-minded about whether two or three unitary authorities would be best for Mole Valley. Currently, there isn’t enough evidence to make an informed decision, which is why the Council hasn’t backed either option yet. More data will be available before the final proposal is submitted on 9 May, and we expect to support one of the options at our Council meeting on 6 May. You can view the submitted proposal here.

Further Information
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