Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation
Buckland Annual Parish Meeting
If you attended Buckland’s 2025 Annual Parish Meeting you will know the topical item chosen for the meeting was Devolution with a particular focus on the UK Government wish to see our County Council and the eleven Borough and District Councils serving communities across Surrey restructured as Unitary Councils.
Helyn Clack, our SCC Councillor provided us with a clear outline of the process that has been set out by the UK Government, explained what this has meant so far and gave us an idea, based upon what has emerged to date, as to likely next steps. A lively interactive session followed during which views were expressed, queries were raised, and concerns were noted.
How to find out more about what is happening
A commitment was given to the meeting to publish this news item on our village website to provide all our residents with links to more information. We hope you find the following useful.
The eleven District and Borough Councils across Surrey have worked together to create a website resource which they hope you will find provides clear, accessible information about the local government reorganisation process. You can access this information by visiting the Surrey Local Government Reorganisation Hub.
If you visit the MVDC website you will find a link on the Home page to an article setting out MVDC’s position with respect to the local government reorganisation.
Mole Valley District Council (MVDC), as one of those eleven Councils advises:
- The hub is designed to serve as a reliable resource for residents, businesses, and stakeholders, bringing together updates, official documents, timelines, and opportunities to share your views;
- The reorganisation of local government is a significant process that impacts how services are delivered and decisions are made across Surrey. This hub aims to support our communities by offering a single point of access to all the key information you may need; and
- Whether you want to understand the reasons behind the reorganisation, follow its progress, or find out how you can contribute by sharing your views and feedback, the Surrey Local Government Reorganisation Hub is here for you
The eleven District and Borough Councils across Surrey published a proposal that was considered by each of the councils during the first week of May and has since been submitted to the UK Government with the support of nine of the eleven authorities. You can download a copy of this proposal via this link.
Surrey County Council (SCC) has established its own Information section on its website called Shaping Surrey’s Future. SCC published a proposal that was adopted when its Cabinet met on 7th May and has now been submitted to the UK Government with the support of Mole Valley District Council and Elmbridge Borough Council.
Reigate and Banstead Borough Council and Crawley Borough Council have developed a separate proposal which sets out reasoning for asking the UK Government to ensure these two councils are included within the same unitary; a proposal which will require one of the two borough councils to transfer between Surrey and Sussex. The proposal can be downloaded via this link. Tandridge District Council has stated it does not wish to be included within the same unitary authority as Crawley Borough Council.
Last updated Friday 9th May 2025