We have answered the most common questions around Local Government Reogranisation (LGR) and devolution. We will keep this page updated so check back if you have a question that hasn't been answered yet.
What is Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)?
The English Devolution White Paper, published on 16 December 2024 is the Government's statement of its plans to reform local government.
This includes a wide range of proposals on devolution but also plans for local government reorganisation, and changes to local audit.
In England, devolution is the transfer of powers and funding from national to local government. It means decisions are made closer to the local people, communities and businesses they affect.
Devolution will include the creation of new strategic or combined authorities overseen by a directly elected Mayor across a large geography. This body would oversee devolved powers on key issues such as transport and economic development.
In some areas this will see neighbouring areas join up and be led by a directly elected mayor.
Such a model currently exists in London, Greater Manchester and other places.
Local Government Reorganisation is the process by which the structure and responsibilities of local authorities are reconfigured. The government White Paper states that unitary councils can lead to better outcomes for residents, save significant money which can be invested in public services, and improve accountability with fewer politicians who are more able to focus on delivering for residents.
If Surrey were to move to a unitary model, the county and district and borough councils would all dissolve and a new unitary council or councils would deliver all the services. The government agrees that, for Surrey, reorganisation is essential to unlocking devolution options.
Devolution is the transfer of powers and funding from national to local government.
Local Government Reorganisation is a process where all county and district and borough councils in an area are reorganised into fewer, unitary councils.
Unitary authorities are a single tier of local government responsible for all local services in an area. They may cover a whole county, part of a county or a large town or city. For example, Cornwall Council, Nottingham City Council and Reading Borough Council are all unitary councils.
Large urban areas may have a unique form of unitary authorities called metropolitan councils, such as Oldham or Doncaster. London boroughs are also unitary authorities.
Two-tier authorities such as Surrey are where:
- County councils provide services that cover the whole county such as education, waste disposal and adult social care
- District councils (sometimes called borough or city councils) are smaller and provide local services such as refuse collection, environmental health, and leisure facilities.
- Parish and town councils are smaller and have differing local responsibilities
The terms "Unitary Council" and "Strategic Authority" refer to different types of local government bodies in the UK and they serve distinct functions.
Unitary Councils have one tier of local government, combining all the local services that in Surrey are currently provided across District and Boroughs and the county council.
Strategic Authorities (such as a combined authority), are partnerships that bring together local authorities across a large geography. They focus on high-level services and strategic oversight across multiple local councils or regions, overseen by a Mayor.
Examples of Unitary Councils are Wiltshire Council and Buckingham Council.
Examples of Strategic Authorities are the Greater London Authority and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
A mayor is a directly elected leader of a geographical region. Many areas of England already have mayors, including London, Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire. There are also directly elected mayors covering single unitary councils.
Directly elected mayors with expanded powers are expected to provide accountability and clearer leadership. Those empowered local leaders will be best positioned to drive economic development in their regions.
The Government believes that within the context of strategic authorities, mayors should have a unique role which allows them to focus fully on devolved responsibilities. Council leaders are expected to continue to focus on leading their place and delivering vital services.
There are two ways in which Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) can take place.
1. The first is for an area to be invited by ministers to become a unitary council. Unanimous agreement from councils in that area is not needed. The government have invited all remaining two tier local government areas to submit proposals for local government reorganisation. The government expects all areas to submit interim proposals in March 2025, with new unitary councils having elections from 2026 onwards.
2. Councils which unanimously agree on a preferred way forward for their area can also make a direct proposal to ministers. Government acknowledges there will likely be differences in views, so this approach is not expected to be used widely.
A unitary council delivering all key services is intended to simplify and streamline local government. Benefits include enhanced efficiency, service delivery and economic growth.
The consolidation of smaller councils into larger authorities is expected to reduce administrative overheads and deliver services more efficiently.
What does this mean for Surrey?
On 5 February 2025, Government confirmed that Surrey is on the accelerated programme for Local Government Reorganisation.
Government has asked us to submit an interim plan by 21 March 2025, and a final proposal is due by 9 May 2025. Government will then make a decision on the best option for Surrey by Autumn this year.
To help us meet the ambitious timelines, government has postponed the Surrey County Council elections for one year to May 2026.
It is expected that elections to new 'shadow' unitary council(s) will take place in May 2026, followed by the official 'vesting day' in May 2027, where the unitary council(s) will officially take hold, and existing councils will dissolve.
Once LGR has taken place it is then expected that devolution will follow: either through establishing a Mayoral Strategic Authority (MSA), enabling further devolution across Surrey, or through joining a neighbouring MSA.
No. To adhere to the ambitious timelines, government has postponed the Surrey County Council elections for one year to May 2026.
This will allow the detailed work of reorganisation and devolution to take place.
The resource, time and public money that would have been spent on elections for a soon-to-be-abolished council can now be directed to working on the best possible outcome for Surrey's reorganisation.
We are still waiting for full guidance on what transition arrangements will look like.
It is anticipated there would be a shadow unitary authority(ies) established 12 months in advance of any handover.
This would ensure as smooth a transition as possible for our residents.
Yes. The county council and the 11 district and borough councils are to be abolished and replaced with new unitary council(s).
It is expected that elections to new 'shadow' unitary council(s) will take place in May 2026, followed by the official 'vesting day' in May 2027, where the unitary council(s) will officially take hold, and existing councils will dissolve.
There are no immediate changes to the operation of Surrey County Council's (SCC) services. Throughout this process, our vital work supporting residents will continue - services will be delivered and we will still be here for those who need us most.
Local government reorganisation has taken place in several areas in the last decade, including Dorset, Cumbria, Northamptonshire and Wiltshire. We will talk to colleagues in other parts of the country to take on board learnings and ensure a smooth transition.
There are potentially a number of ways to go about local government reorganisation and government is asking all interested councils o develop an interim business case for reorganisation. As part of our business case, we are working with partners such as Surrey Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), police and health colleagues to propose the best model for Surrey.
Yes. We will engage with residents and partners in shaping the business case and provide regular updates on progress.
No. Government confirmed that Surrey is on the accelerated programme for Local Government Reorganisation.
We don't know yet. The financial aspects of LGR will be part of the forthcoming process of engaging with government and partners through the development of the business case.
No decisions have been made yet on the number of unitaries.
There are potentially a number of ways to go about local government reorganisation and government is asking all interested councils to develop an interim business case for reorganisation which is evidence based.