Waverley Borough Councillors have voted to back a proposal to replace Surrey’s existing county, district, and borough councils with three new unitary authorities – a move they say is strongly supported by residents.
A recent survey of 3,265 residents across Surrey found that nearly two-thirds (63%) support the creation of three unitary councils, compared to just 17% who favoured the alternative two-unitary model backed by Surrey County Council. The remaining 20% expressed no clear preference.
Councillors pointed to the clear public mandate for a more locally responsive structure. According to the survey, the public’s top priorities for local government were firmly rooted in localism, with over 60% identifying “Understanding of local issues” and “Local decision-making” as their highest priorities. “Supporting local businesses,” “Easy access to councillors,” and “Creating jobs and economic growth” also ranked highly.
New unitary councils would take responsibility for the full range of services currently delivered by Surrey County Council and the 11 district and borough councils. This would be accompanied by the establishment of a new county-wide strategic authority.
The majority of Surrey’s district and borough councils have expressed support for the three-unitary option, believing it delivers the best combination of efficient service delivery, strong local accountability, and alignment with established community and economic identities.
Councillor Paul Follows, Leader of Waverley Borough Council, said: “The message from our residents – and from communities across Surrey – is clear: people want councils that understand their needs, reflect their identity, and are accountable for the decisions that affect them.
“The three-unitary model strikes the right balance between local democracy and economic coherence. It will maximise economic growth – a government priority, while protecting vital public services, and ensuring that decisions continue to be made close to the people they impact.”
The proposal is being discussed by all 11 district and borough councils in Surrey this week and will be formally submitted to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on Friday 9 May.
Find out more: full proposal