The Cabinet of Surrey County Council met on 8 January 2025 to discuss the implications of the Government's English Devolution White Paper. The council agreed to respond to the government, requesting the postponement of the May 2025 county elections to allow time for the development of proposals for local government reform.

Response to the English Devolution White Paper

The Cabinet discussed the English Devolution White Paper, published on 16 December 2024, which outlines the government's plans for devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR) across England. The paper proposes a move towards unitary authorities, which would combine the responsibilities of upper-tier and lower-tier councils. Surrey County Council, as an upper-tier authority, is part of a two-tier system and is therefore subject to these proposals.

The government has set an ambitious timetable, requiring two-tier authorities to submit interim LGR proposals by March 2025, with final proposals due in May or Autumn 2025. To facilitate this process, particularly for areas aiming for an accelerated programme to establish shadow unitary authorities by May 2026, the government is willing to postpone local elections from May 2025 to May 2026.

Councillor Tim Oliver OBE, Leader of the Council, explained that this was not the council's choice but a government directive. He stressed the importance of engaging with the government early to influence the outcome and avoid a solution being imposed. The council agreed to send a letter to the Minister for Local Government and English Devolution, requesting this postponement. This decision was made following a debate and vote at an Extraordinary Council meeting earlier that day, where 42 members voted in favour, 22 against, and 6 abstained.

A key concern raised during the discussion was the significant level of debt held by some district and borough councils within Surrey. The amended letter to the government will therefore include a request for the government to write off these debts, alongside a consideration of how to manage the financial risks associated with any new authority.

Several councillors spoke in support of the decision. Councillor Kevin Deenas, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, highlighted that early engagement would allow for negotiation on the county's substantial debt and that Surrey would likely be a net loser from the government's fair funding review. Councillor Steve Bax, Deputy Cabinet Member for Highways, noted that residents often find the current two-tier system confusing and would likely welcome the clarity of a single council. Councillor Mark Nuti, Cabinet Member for Property, Waste and Infrastructure, echoed this sentiment, stating that residents he had spoken to questioned the need for an election in May 2025 if a complete restructuring was planned. He also pointed out the low turnout in local elections, suggesting residents are tired of electioneering.

Councillor Clare Curran, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Lifelong Learning, acknowledged the ambitious timetable but argued that the current cohort of councillors possessed the necessary experience and knowledge to develop the best proposals. Councillor Sinead Mooney, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, emphasised the significance of the decision for residents and the approximately 8,500 employees of Surrey County Council, noting the importance of clarifying the situation for staff. Councillor Denise Turner-Stuart, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Customer Communities, framed the decision as an optimism and opportunity to overcome barriers in areas like integrated transport, congestion, skills, planning, and housing. Councillor David Lewis, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, provided an updated figure of approximately £2.5 million as the estimated cost for the 11 districts and boroughs to run the county council elections, suggesting postponement would represent a cost saving. Councillor Paul Deach, Deputy Cabinet Member to the Leader of the Council, welcomed the collaborative approach and the leadership shown by Councillor Oliver. Councillor Jonathan Hulley, Deputy Cabinet Member for Strategic Highways, stressed the inevitability of the government's devolution agenda and the risk of being run over by it if Surrey did not engage proactively.

The Cabinet agreed to the recommendation that the Leader should respond to the government as outlined in the amended letter in Annex 2 of the report. This decision was deemed to be of special urgency and therefore not subject to call-in.

The meeting also noted apologies for absence from Marisa Heath. There were no declarations of interest made by members.