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.

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 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) 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 (MVDC) and Elmbridge Borough Council.

The UK Government invited responses to a survey about the two above plans for devolution and local government reorganisation. The survey closed at 5pm on Tuesday 5th August 2025. SCC, MVDC and Elmbridge submitted a joint response, commenting on the three unitary proposal and Buckland Parish Council submitted a response, commenting on each of the two proposals.

The UK Government has explained it launched the survey to help it understand what residents, businesses and other stakeholders think about the changes being proposed in Surrey and stated the results from the survey will be used to help the UK Government make a final decision on which option is best for Surrey. We now await Government’s decision.

Last updated Tuesday 5th August 2025