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Progress Towards Local Government Reorganisation in Surrey

Surrey is undergoing one of the largest changes to its local government structure in its history. Last year, the Government unilaterally decided that Surrey’s existing county council and 11 district and borough councils should be reorganised into two new unitary authorities: West Surrey Council and East Surrey Council.

There is more information available on the Surrey County Council and Reigate & Banstead Borough Council websites.

A Key Milestone Reached

A major milestone in the reorganisation process was reached in January 2026, when councillors from across Surrey met for the first time in two new bodies created to oversee the transition.

The East Surrey Voluntary Joint Committee met on Thursday 15 January 2026 at Surrey County Council’s offices in Reigate.
Chair: Cllr Bridget Kendrick (Mole Valley District Council)
Vice Chair: Cllr David Lewis (Surrey County Council)
The West Surrey Voluntary Joint Committee met on Friday 16 January 2026 at Woking Borough Council.
Chair: Cllr Anne-Marie Barker (Woking Borough Council)
Vice Chair: Cllr Robert King (Runnymede Borough Council)

Both committees will now meet monthly, rotating their meetings around their areas, until the new shadow authorities are formed following elections in May 2026.

Why the Joint Committees Have Been Formed

Local government reorganisation is a large and complex programme. The Voluntary Joint Committees have been created so that preparation work can begin. They are made up of councillors who have already been elected to Surrey County Council and the district and borough councils, and who are now working together to organise the two new unitary councils.

Membership of the Voluntary Joint Committees

East Surrey Voluntary Joint Committee – Elected Members

Cllr Mike Rollings – Elmbridge Borough Council (Claygate)
Cllr Hannah Dalton – Epsom and Ewell Borough Council (Stoneleigh)
Cllr Bridget Kendrick – Mole Valley District Council (Leatherhead South) – Chair
Cllr Richard Biggs – Reigate and Banstead Borough Council (Horley West and Sidlow)
Cllr Natalie Bramhall – Surrey County Council (Redhill West and Meadvale)
Cllr Helyn Clack – Surrey County Council (Dorking Rural)
Cllr Stephen Cooksey – Surrey County Council (Dorking South and the Holmwoods)
Cllr David Lewis – Surrey County Council (Cobham) – Vice Chair
Cllr Steven McCormick – Surrey County Council (Epsom Town and Downs)
Cllr Catherine Sayer – Tandridge District Council (Oxted North)

West Surrey Voluntary Joint Committee – Elected Members

Cllr Julia McShane – Guildford Borough Council (Westborough)
Cllr Robert King – Runnymede Borough Council (Egham Hythe) – Vice Chair
Cllr Joanne Sexton – Spelthorne Borough Council (Ashford East)
Cllr Matt Furniss – Surrey County Council (Shalford)
Cllr Mark Nuti – Surrey County Council (Chertsey)
Cllr Catherine Powell – Surrey County Council (Farnham North)
Cllr Lance Spencer – Surrey County Council (Goldsworth East and Horsell Village)
Cllr Liz Townsend – Surrey County Council (Cranleigh and Ewhurst)
Cllr Denise Turner-Stewart – Surrey County Council (Staines South and Ashford West)
Cllr Shaun Macdonald – Surrey Heath Borough Council (Lightwater)
Cllr Paul Follows – Waverley Borough Council (Godalming Central and Ockford)
Cllr Anne-Marie Barker – Woking Borough Council (Goldsworth Park) – Chair

All of these councillors have been elected to their current roles and are serving on the Joint Committees to help establish the new councils.

What Happens Next

In May 2026, residents across Surrey will vote for councillors for the new West Surrey Council and East Surrey Council. Those elected will initially form shadow authorities, which will take over the work of setting up the new organisations from the Voluntary Joint Committees.

From April 2027, the shadow authorities will formally become the new unitary councils and will assume responsibility for delivering all local government services.

Changes in Representation

At present, Surrey has:

81 county councillors
453 district and borough councillors
Total: 534 councillors

Following reorganisation:

West Surrey will have 90 councillors
East Surrey will have 72 councillors
Total: 162 councillors

Financial Context

The Government has confirmed its commitment to repay £500 million of Woking Borough Council’s debt in 2026–27. This represents the first tranche of support, with further assistance to be considered as the reorganisation progresses.