Government Proposals for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

Many of you will be aware that Central Government is currently embarking upon the most significant reorganisation of Local Government in a generation and it has decided that Surrey should be at the forefront of this programme.

In a nutshell, this means that by May 2027 all 11 District and Borough Councils in Surrey including Tandridge, along with Surrey County Council itself will be abolished and be replaced by either 2 or 3 new Unitary Authorities. A decision on whether the Government will opt for the 2 or 3 Authority model is expected in the Autumn. Once this has been determined, elections will take place in May 2026 to elect new Unitary Councillors who will work in parallel with currently elected District Councillors for a year, after which they will assume responsibility for all aspects of Local Government. It is not currently known where these Authorities will be based.

Following this process, the Government will arrange for a Mayoral election to take place in order to elect a Mayor whose role will be to oversee the operation of the Unitary Authorities (either 2 or 3). It is also currently unclear where this administration will be based or indeed, what it will cost.

As you may have seen from a SCC flyer put through your letterbox recently, Surrey County Council, along with Elmbridge Borough Council and Mole Valley District Council, supports a 2 Unitary approach whereas all other 9 Borough and District Councils in Surrey, including Tandridge District Council, support a 3 Unitary approach. It is worth noting that during the Tandridge Council debate in May, this option received overwhelming support from all parties across the political spectrum. Also, consistent feedback from residents is that they want decisions made by people who know and understand their communities and that they feel the 3 Unitary model best delivers this.

The reality is that both the 2 and 3 Unitary models are considered to be financially viable, providing the Government addresses the massive levels of debt that currently exist within the West of the County – this includes, but is not exclusive to, Woking Borough Council and Spelthorne Borough Council (both of which are currently operating under administrators). In contrast, all District and Borough Councils in the East of the County do not have high levels of irrecoverable debt. What happens to this “debt mountain” is fundamental to any way that the new Unitary framework is set up irrespective of what model is selected by the Government.

The main problem perceived with the 2 Unitary model is that it represents a potential erosion of local democracy and accountability. There are currently around 1.2 million people in Surrey so the 2 Unitary model would mean each Unitary being responsible for 600,000 people whereas the 3 Unitary model would equate to 400,000 people each. It is possible that some of the cost savings put forward in favouring a 2 Unitary model over the 3 Unitary model are very questionable, particularly once the setting up of the new Mayoral authority are taken into account.

Furthermore, it is possible that the 3 Unitary proposal provides a stronger long-term foundation for a higher quality of local Government by providing:-

·       Stronger public services based around known local needs.

·       Better alignment with local identities and communities.

·       Greater opportunities for economic growth together with improved and better maintained infrastructure.

·       A more responsive and accountable system of local government.

Despite the importance of this reorganisation programme and its effect upon every resident and business in Surrey, the Government does not intend to hold a referendum or conduct any significant or widely transparent consultation.

Further detail on the 2 Unitary model as proposed by SCC, can be found here https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/lgr

Details on the 3 Unitary model proposed by Tandridge District Council, and the majority of other District and Boroughs in the county, can be found here https://www.tandridge.gov.uk/Your-council/Local-government-reorganisation-LGR

It is important that all residents and businesses give their feedback on the proposals.  You have until Tuesday 5th August to notify the Government of them, via

·       The Government’s online consultation here https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/local-government-reorganisation-in-surrey

·       Email lgreorganisation@communities.gov.uk

·       or in writing to LGR Consultation, Fly Building 2NE, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, 2 Marsham Street, LONDON SW1P 4DF

If, in the meantime you have any further questions you would like answered, do please email the South Godstone Residents Association southgodstonera@gmail.com

Annual General Meeting (AGM)

Our AGM was held on Friday, 29 November 2024, 7.30pm for 8pm at South Godstone Sports and Community Association, corner of Hunters Chase and Lagham Road, South Godstone RH9 8HE.

We are particularly pleased that this years guest speaker was Catherine Sayer, Leader

of the Residents Alliance which forms a minority administration at Tandridge District Council and is also therefore, Leader of the Council.

Catherine spoke about how the Residents Alliance have gone about reforming the Council’s financial position and structure since becoming the administration three years ago and described some of the pressures that still exist.  She also described how the new Government’s emerging plans to reform planning policy could impact upon Tandridge, particularly in respect of green belt release for housing development.  At the end of her presentation, Catherine answered questions from the floor.

Volunteering Opportunities

Are you concerned about the speed of vehicles travelling through our village? South Godstone Resident’s Association currently operates Community SpeedWatch. More volunteers are urgently needed. After brief, local, free of charge training, could you then commit to just an hour a month during either the week or at weekends? It doesn’t have to be a regular time slot. You would work with a trained colleague in the village and deter those driving at excess speeds.

The South Godstone Residents’ Association is taking this opportunity to welcome new committee members. Whether you would be interested in putting your name forward for the role of Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary or Treasurer or a committee member and learn more about these roles and what we do, we would love to hear from you and what you would be interested in doing! We meet on the evening of the last Friday of every other month, on the odd numbered months. Written expressions of interest please to secretary Susan Clark by email to southgodstone.ra@gmail.com, by post to 11 Lagham Park, or by clicking the "Contact Us" button below, no later than 5pm, Tuesday 25 October.