Shaun Macdonald, Leader of Surrey Heath Borough Council, has published both a foreword and a letter sent to Jim McMahon MP, Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, following the Extraordinary Council Meeting held on 8 January 2025..
Foreword
“At the Extraordinary Full Council meeting of Surrey Heath Borough Council on 8 January 2025, a motion was passed unopposed (21 For, 0 Against, 6 Abstentions) regarding the government’s devolution and local government reorganisation plans, and the upcoming Surrey County Council (SCC) elections.
This decision represents a significant step forward in ensuring transparent and fair representation at the local level. The amended motion reflects the collaborative efforts of our members to address concerns raised during the debate, all while prioritising the needs of our communities.
We are pleased to reaffirm our commitment to a smooth and democratic transition process for all Surrey residents, however we do not support a fast track approach into the unknown. This outcome upholds the core values of accountability and inclusivity that define local governance.
To make sure their voices are heard, we urge residents to sign the “Let Surrey Vote” petition at change.org to defend democracy in Surrey.
As Leader of the Council, I am dedicated to ensuring that any reforms deliver tangible benefits for our residents, while preserving the values and character that make our community unique.
We request clarity from the government on crucial issues such as its proposals for managing the servicing of total Surrey local government debt and resident service cost pressures, along with guidance in respect of the future vision for existing Parish & Town Councils, within new unitary area structures.
We also express our full support for our council staff, whose unwavering dedication and resilience continues to serve our residents during this time of uncertainty.
The council remains committed to constructive engagement with the Government, local authorities, and our community, as we work together to shape a future that prioritises the needs and aspirations of local residents.”
Letter sent to Jim McMahon MP
I am writing on behalf of Surrey Heath Borough Council to express our position on the English Devolution White Paper, particularly regarding the proposed fast-track programme and the potential cancellation of County Council elections in May 2025. These issues are of critical importance to the residents we serve locally, and I urge you to consider the points raised in this letter.
We fully align with the correspondence from Hannah Dalton, Vice-Chair of the District Councils’ Network and Chair of the Surrey Leaders Group, which represents all 11 Surrey District and Borough Councils across the political spectrum, which was also supported by 6 MPs. Together, we emphasise the necessity of preserving county elections in May 2025, recognise the early adopter opportunities of devolution with local government reform and commit to working together on pragmatic solutions for our residents.
Local elections are fundamental to ensuring residents have a voice in their governance. The proposal to allow County Council leaders to extend their term by at least 24 months using executive powers raises serious democratic concerns. This is particularly troubling as some members have been deselected by their parties or have already announced their intention to step down. Cancelling these elections undermines public trust in democratic processes, especially given the significant political changes across Surrey in recent years. The current County Council no longer reflects the region's political landscape, further highlighting the necessity for elections to proceed as scheduled. Residents must have the opportunity to “Let Surrey Vote” in May 2025.
While Surrey Heath Borough Council supports the government’s vision for devolution and strategic authorities, this vision must be underpinned by appropriately sized unitary authorities that reflect economic zones, physical geography, and public service alignments, including health, transport, and emergency services. These authorities must also preserve local community identity, fostering cohesion and pride. We query whether the government has been shaping proactively enough the formation of strategic authorities at scale, given Surrey, as 1.2mln population, is without a partner, and would welcome the opportunity to align with Hampshire given the economic pathways, health infrastructure and transport links that converge together.
The Leader of Surrey County Council’s previous unilateral approach to reorganisation is deeply concerning, as is the underlying risk of a 1.2mln population mega authority, totally divorced from its residents. Imposing change without consensus among Surrey authorities risks alienating residents and undermining the benefits of devolution, so I am hopeful mechanisms we have put in place last week, to facilitate meaningful dialogue among all Surrey authorities to develop alternative proposals, will garner broad support as we proceed on the fast track.
Financial clarity is another pressing concern. Surrey’s significant debt burden, including £1 billion unrecoverable inherited from Woking Borough Council, creates uncertainty for the future of all the new unitary authorities. This unresolved Woking debt must be managed equitably to avoid unfairly disadvantaging residents, for previously member/officer decision making failings locally and historic governance framework weaknesses centrally, in auditing and PWLB oversight for example.
Regulation of public expenditure during this transition is also critical during periods of change as we learnt from the Covid pandemic. Strict controls are necessary, for example in controlling consultancy and public relations spending to ensure responsible use of public funds and maintain public trust, we should all be looking ahead to the NAO report into these changes in due course.
Finally, clarity is needed regarding the role of parish and town councils within the proposed unitary structures. Preserving their identities and building new ones, is vital to maintaining local identity, ensuring community cohesion and active resident participation.
At an Extraordinary Full Council meeting on January 8, 2025, Surrey Heath Borough Council passed a motion unopposed reaffirming our commitment to engaging with regional stakeholders to develop financially sustainable unitary structures, within a mayoral strategic authority. We stand ready to contribute to a reorganisation that delivers economic growth, efficiencies, and a cohesive sense of place for all residents.
As part of that journey we urge you to uphold the core values of democracy, accountability, and inclusivity by preserving the May 2025 elections. Together, let us protect the rights of Surrey residents and work collaboratively toward a future that benefits all.
Yours sincerely
Cllr Shaun Macdonald - Leader of the Council