Our approach

Our interim proposal, submitted to the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government on 21 March 2025, set out our considerable progress to that point. In our preliminary analysis, both a two- and three-unitary configuration for Surrey were found to be financially viable and result in significant financial benefits and improved value for money when compared to the status quo.

Whilst the financial case is important, our interim proposal also recognised the wider economic and democratic criteria set out by government.

Our analysis considered the importance of maintaining strong local connections and accountability between local government and the communities we serve. When combining this with the need for the new unitarity authorities to reflect coherent economic geographies, to maximise the opportunities for inward investment and growth, our interim proposal concluded that three unitary authorities was the optimum configuration for Surrey.

In addition to exploring the options available, the interim proposal also highlighted the barriers and challenges which would benefit from further discussion between government and councils in Surrey. Government provided feedback on these, together with the wider proposal, in mid-April, which helped inform and shape this final proposal.