The West Surrey Joint Committee met on Tuesday 14 April 2026 to discuss the progress of the implementation plan for the transition to new unitary authorities in Surrey. The committee was also scheduled to consider the proposed constitution for the West Surrey Shadow Authority.

Implementation Plan Update

The committee was presented with an update on the development of a single Implementation Plan to facilitate a safe and legal transition from the current two-tier local government structure in Surrey to the new West Surrey and East Surrey unitary authorities. This plan aims to outline the necessary steps for this significant reorganisation.

The report detailed draft content for the Implementation Phase section of the plan, which covers key areas crucial for a smooth transition. These included:

• Finance: This section outlined the key financial activities required, strategic considerations such as inherited debt, and plans for budget setting for the 2027/28 financial year. It also addressed revenues and benefits, and Housing Revenue Accounts (HRA).
• Stakeholder Engagement: This covered the approach to communications, branding, and engagement for the programme, including aims, objectives, communication milestones, community engagement, and ensuring accessible communications.
• Equality Analysis: This explained how the programme would adhere to statutory obligations under the Public Sector Equality Duty, including when Equality Impact Assessments would be needed and the principles for conducting them.
• Information Governance: This detailed how the programme would manage information governance responsibilities, ensuring compliance with legislation on data protection, Freedom of Information requests, and information sharing.

The committee was also updated on the latest risk and budget monitoring positions for the Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation (D&LGR) Programme. An assurance framework for the programme was also presented, designed to provide oversight and ensure consistent management of risks, reporting, and escalation across all programme themes.

The report highlighted the significant financial challenges facing both the proposed West and East Surrey councils, particularly in West Surrey, due to a high level of external debt. The committee noted the illustrative financial baseline for the new councils, which would inform future budget planning.

Proposed Constitution for West Surrey Shadow Authority

The committee was asked to consider a draft Constitution for the West Surrey Shadow Authority. This document is a requirement under the Surrey (Structural Changes) Order 2026, which establishes the Shadow Authority for a period from May 2026 until March 2027, preceding the creation of the West Surrey Council.

The draft Constitution outlines the mandatory governance arrangements for the Shadow Period. It details the structure and functions of the Shadow Authority, including the establishment of a leader and cabinet executive, the appointment of statutory officers, and the adoption of a Code of Conduct. The proposed Constitution also includes provisions for committees such as the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Employment Committee, Standards Committee, and Audit and Governance Committee.

The report noted that the proposed Constitution was developed following consultation with monitoring officers across Surrey's existing councils and drew on best practices from other shadow authorities and councils. The committee was invited to recommend the draft Constitution to the West Surrey Shadow Authority for adoption at its inaugural meeting.

Schedule of Meetings

The committee was also presented with a proposed calendar of meetings for the West Surrey Shadow Authority. This schedule, beginning with the inaugural meeting on 21 May 2026, outlined proposed meetings for the full Shadow Authority, Shadow Executive, Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Audit and Risk Committee, Standards Committee, and Employment Committee. The schedule was prepared considering practicalities such as alignment with existing meeting calendars and avoiding conflicts where possible. The committee was invited to consider this draft schedule and make a recommendation to the Shadow Authority.