Surrey Heath Borough Council recently invited local stakeholders to hear their views on the future of local government in Surrey, following proposals launched by the Government in December to reorganise local government structures.
Stakeholders who attended to share their perspectives on how Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) could impact their organisation and the communities they serve included Collectively Camberley, parish councils, Frimley Community Centre, Disability Initiative, Citizens Advice Surrey Heath, Surrey Heath Age Concern, The Hope Hub, Surrey Heath Primary Care Network, Camberley Sikh Association, Camberley Nepalese Gurkha Society and Thames Basin Heaths Joint Strategic Partnership Board.
Leader of Surrey Heath Borough Council, Cllr Shaun Macdonald said: “The proposed LGR will have far-reaching implications for how services are delivered and how councils work with residents, partners, and key stakeholders.
“The views across Surrey are mixed. While Surrey County Council is proposing the creation of two-unitary authorities, the majority of district and borough councils that have stated a preference are in support of a three-unitary model.
“These differing perspectives highlight the importance of engaging with stakeholders, who were encouraged to attend and share their views on how LGR could impact their organisation and the communities they serve.”
Key themes emerging from early discussions included concerns about the impact of reorganisation on vulnerable people, particularly in relation to funding, cost-of-living pressures, and accessibility of services.
The importance of maintaining and building on existing collaborative relationships across agencies was highlighted. A need to ensure that local businesses and wider stakeholders are actively involved in shaping future governance was emphasised, as well as recognising the valuable role parish councils play in delivering local outcomes and supporting community needs.
Surrey has been identified as having the most ambitious timetable for this reform, with final proposals due to be submitted to Government by 9 May 2025.
A final decision is expected to be made in the autumn, with new unitary authorities expected to be in place by April 2027.
Find out more about Local Government Reorganisation in Surrey Heath and how it could affect you