MHCLG announces Surrey local government reorganisation decision
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has announced its decision to implement local government reorganisation in Surrey, subject to Parliamentary approval of a Structural Changes Order. The reorganisation will replace Surrey's 11 district and borough councils and one county council with two new unitary authorities: West Surrey and East Surrey. West Surrey will comprise Guildford BC, Runnymede BC, Spelthorne BC, Surrey Heath BC, Waverley BC, and Woking BC, while East Surrey will include Elmbridge BC, Epsom and Ewell BC, Mole Valley DC, Reigate and Banstead BC, and Tandridge DC. Elections to the new councils are scheduled for May 2026, with the unitary authorities expected to assume full council responsibilities from April 2027. The government has committed to repay £500m of Woking Borough Council's debt in 2026-27, with further debt support to be considered. The decision follows a consultation that ran from 17 June to 5 August 2025 on proposals submitted by Elmbridge Borough Council, Mole Valley District Council and Surrey County Council.