Government consultation on Local Government Reorganisation

The most significant change to local government in Surrey for over 50 years is being proposed, via a process called Local Government Reorganisation, and this is the only formal opportunity for local residents, businesses and organisations to provide their views to Government.

The Government is consulting on two different proposals for how local councils are structured in the future:

• A three unitary council model supported by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council and eight other district and borough councils in Surrey. Under this option, the new East Surrey council would cover the area currently served by Reigate & Banstead, Tandridge, Mole Valley and Epsom & Ewell councils.
• A two unitary council model supported Surrey County Council and two district / borough councils in Surrey. Under this option, the new East Surrey council would be larger, covering the area currently served by Elmbridge in addition to Reigate & Banstead, Tandridge, Mole Valley and Epsom & Ewell councils.

You can have your say until Tuesday 5 August by visiting http://www.gov.uk/government/collections/surrey-local-government-reorganisation. Responses may be made on the department’s online platform ‘Citizen Space’ or alternatively by email to lgreorganisation@communities.gov.uk or in writing to LGR Consultation, Fry Building 2NE, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, 2 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DF.

Reigate & Banstead Borough Council supports the three unitary proposal. We believe that this will provide a stronger long-term foundation for high-quality local government, including:

• Stronger public services designed around local needs
• Better alignment with local identities and communities
• Greater opportunities for economic growth and infrastructure delivery; and
• More responsive and accountable local governance.

We want as many local groups and people as possible to make their views known on this important issue, and therefore would encourage you to take part. You can find out more by visiting the Surrey Local Government Reorganisation Hub. More information is also available on the Council’s website at www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk/surrey-lgr

We will also be holding a briefing session about the consultation and how to respond, via MS Teams, on Wednesday 9 July at 4.00pm. I will be able to share more information about this with you in due course.