Content

Decision:

1.        Executive
supports the proposal to establish three unitary authorities in
Surrey as set out in Appendix 1 to the report submitted to the
Council as the preferred option, conditional upon two key factors:
the resolution of the significant unsupported debt across the
county and addressing discretionary spending concerns;
and

2.        That the
Leader of the Council will work with partners in Surrey to submit
the proposal to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local
Government by 9 May 2025.
Reason(s):

1.        Government
wrote to the Council on 5 February 2025 inviting all Councils in
Surrey to submit an interim plan for Local Government
Reorganisation by 21 March 2025 and a full proposal by 9 May
2025.

2.        The proposals
for Local Government Reorganisation in Surrey attached as
appendices to this report should be considered and that the Council
recommends, and the Executive determines, which option provides the
best opportunity to achieve better outcomes and value for
residents, and improve accountability and economic growth, as well
as unlocking the potential powers and funding to be devolved to
strategic authorities in due course.
Other options considered and rejected by the
Executive:

1.      
Executive does not express a preference at this stage,
noting that, as an authority affected by any order to be made by
the Secretary of State, Guildford Borough Council will be consulted
prior to the implementation of any proposal, or 

2.      
Executive does not support either proposal and writes to
the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local
Government to confirm this and outline the reasons for this
decision.
Details of any conflict of interest declared by the Leader or
lead councillors and any dispensation granted:
Councillors Angela Goodwin, Julia McShane, Carla Morson, George
Potter and Fiona White were also Surrey County
Councillors.
On
19 March the Monitoring Officer granted a general dispensation to
all councillors to participate in and, where applicable, vote on
the issue of the submission of any local government reorganisation
proposal to the Secretary of State under the provisions of Chapter
1 of Part 1 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in
Health Act 2007.