Principle 6 – Delivers high-quality, innovative and sustainable public services that are responsive to local need and enable wider public sector reform

This section outlines how our proposal for reorganisation will deliver high-quality, innovative, and sustainable public services tailored to local needs. By establishing three unitary authorities that align with Surrey’s functional economic geographies and places, the new councils will be best placed to provide high-quality services and deliver economic growth. In contrast, a two-unitary model would disrupt cohesive areas, leading to fragmented services and diminished community legitimacy. Building on best practices and case studies, we demonstrate how our model effectively addresses local needs and supports the delivery of innovative public services.

The delivery of high-quality public services that are responsive to and shaped by local needs is the bedrock upon which good local government is built. Residents and businesses rightly expect their local council to get the basics right and provide services that are reliable and efficient. This includes regular waste collections, timely consideration of planning applications, well-maintained roads, and the necessary care and support for vulnerable children and adults to ensure they can have a good start in, and quality of, life.

Ensuring that local services are well-run and citizen-focused is a core principle of the Best Value Duty that all local authorities are under.[1] This duty ensures we make the most of every penny received from taxpayers to achieve better outcomes for our communities. This ongoing process of improvement and transformation requires continuous innovation and adaptation.