Our vision and principles for local government reorganisation

Our vision is to transform local government in Surrey to deliver financially-sustainable, locally-accountable services that drive economic growth and improve outcomes for residents and businesses. Driving this are our principles for reorganisation, which are to: support economic growth, unlock the benefits of devolution, value local identities, ensure strong democratic accountability, secure financial-efficiency, and deliver high-quality, innovative public services.

The current two-tier system of local government in Surrey has been in place for fifty years. While it has served us well, it will not be sustainable in the years ahead.

We face a number of challenges in Surrey. These include significant budget pressures, compounded by increasing demand for services, and the difficulty of securing sustainable, equitable growth and development in the face of climate and economic crises.

We believe that LGR is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve local government and public sector service delivery in Surrey, preparing us to meet the challenges of today and those of an uncertain tomorrow.

We are committed to change and reorganisation. Our proposal is the result of extensive and productive collaboration between Surrey’s local authorities and engagement with key stakeholders and residents – whose feedback overwhelmingly supported and shaped our approach.

Through working together and across the political spectrum, we have developed a vision and series of principles that reflect the aspirations and needs of Surrey’s communities, guiding the creation of a system of local government that is fit for purpose, efficient, resilient and can adapt to future needs.