The Government has set out proposals for local government reform.
The English Devolution White Paper outlines plans to move away from the current two-tier system of district and county councils. These will be replaced by:
A Strategic Authority
Usually, this means a directly elected Mayor will be responsible for strategic services including transport and infrastructure, skills and employment, economic development and regeneration.
Unitary authorities
One council will provide services for their area. This will replace the two-tier county and district council system currently in place in Surrey and many other parts of the country.
Surrey County Council asked to be part of the Government’s Devolution Priority Programme, which will see chosen areas reorganised quickly. In February 2025, the Government confirmed that Surrey was not selected for the Devolution Priority Programme. However, given the urgency around creating unitary authorities in Surrey, the Government did give permission for local elections to be postponed from May 2025 to May 2026.
Postponing the elections will enable Surrey to move forward with devolution as quickly as possible. The Government has asked for interim plans to be submitted to them by 21 March, and full proposals by 9 May. We are working with our neighbouring authorities and Surrey County Council to submit a single plan for devolution in Surrey.
We will update our website as further Government announcements are made and devolution plans develop. You can also find the answers to frequently asked questions on devolution and local government reorganisation below.
We’ll continue to deliver services for our residents, business and communities throughout the devolution process.
Frequently asked questions
What is devolution and local government reorganisation?
Devolution is the transfer of power and funding from national to local government. This helps decisions to be made at a local level.
Local government reorganisation is the process used to change the structure and responsibilities of local authorities.
What is the English Devolution White Paper?
The English Devolution White Paper sets out the Government’s proposals for local government reform. It includes a range of options for reorganisation.
The Government plans to move away from the current two-tier system of district and county councils. These will be replaced by:
A Strategic Authority
Usually, this means a directly elected Mayor will be responsible for strategic services including transport and infrastructure, skills and employment, economic development and regeneration.
Unitary authorities
One council will provide services for their area. This will replace the two-tier county and district council system currently in place in Surrey and many other parts of the country.
This structure is already in place in London boroughs, urban areas including Brighton, Medway and Reading, and rural areas including Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Wiltshire. However, the Government doesn’t yet have a detailed plan for what the reforms will look like elsewhere and has asked councils to work together to develop proposals.
What is the Devolution Priority Programme?
The Devolution Priority Programme is for areas who want to move towards devolution early in the process.
Surrey County Council asked to be part of the Government’s Priority Programme, which will see chosen areas reorganised into two tiers of local government, rather than the three we have currently.
In February 2025, the Government confirmed that Surrey was not selected for the Devolution Priority Programme. However, given the urgency around creating unitary authorities in Surrey, the Government did give permission for local elections to be postponed from May 2025 to May 2026. Postponing the elections will enable Surrey to move forward with devolution as quickly as possible.
Why did Surrey want to be on the Priority Programme?
Moving quickly on devolution will be a benefit to us, giving us greater control of, and certainty around, our future.
What are the benefits of devolution?
Devolution could mean:
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better co-ordination of transport across the whole region
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more strategic control over planning and housing
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better support for skills development for residents because money is spent locally rather than by national government
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a stronger voice for the region with central government.
What is the timetable for devolution?
The Government has asked for interim plans to be submitted to them by 21 March, and full proposals by 9 May. We are working with our neighbouring authorities and Surrey County Council to submit a single plan for devolution in Surrey.
The Government has said they want the first set of new unitary authorities to be in place in 2027 and 2028.
What happens if not all boroughs within an area agree to create a new authority?
The English Devolution White Paper outlines how the Government will legislate and create strategic authorities in areas where local leaders have not agreed a way forward.
The Government will use this power when all other routes have been exhausted. It will be used to conclude the process where there is majority support, or the formation is essential to completing the roll out of strategic authorities in England.
What are ‘shadow authorities’ and when do they take over from the existing councils?
A shadow authority and shadow mayor act as a transition period. They have elected politicians and staff working for them but the old councils, both district and county, would still exist and provide services.
During the transition period, policies and procedures will be harmonised before the old councils cease to exist. This work could take several years.
Have the May 2025 elections been postponed?
The Government has acknowledged that for some areas, the timing of elections affects their planning for local government reorganisation.
Surrey County Council asked the Government if local elections, due to be held in May 2025, could be postponed. In February 2025, the Government gave permission for the elections to be postponed until May 2026.
How is devolution working in other parts of the country?
You can read more about devolution in other areas:
How will town and parish councils fit within the unitary structure?
Existing town and parish councils will not be directly affected by any reorganisation of district and county councils, and their functions.
Where unitary authorities have been created elsewhere, unparished areas had a town council set up. However, the details of this are still to be confirmed.
Who could Waverley Borough Council join with to create a unitary authority?
There is currently no agreed number of unitary authorities, or configuration as to which districts and boroughs would join us to make these new councils.
We already work in collaboration with Guildford Borough Council, and we’ll continue the excellent progress we are making towards working more closely together.
Can residents have their say on the proposals?
We are waiting for further information on how local people can have their say on the proposals for devolution. We’ll update this website with information as soon as possible.
What does devolution mean for me?
We’ll continue to provide services for our residents, businesses and communities throughout the devolution process, so you won’t see any changes now.
We will update our website as further Government announcements are made, devolution plans develop, or any changes to the services you receive.
How can I keep up to date with the plans for devolution?
We will update our website as proposals develop.
You can find out more about devolution on the Government website.
You can also read more in the Local Government Association’s devolution and Local Government reorganisation hub.