Following the local elections in May 2026, shadow authorities are now in place in Surrey to oversee the transition to the new East Surrey Council and West Surrey Council. These shadow authorities replace the joint committees that were set up earlier this year.
The newly elected councillors for East and West Surrey are currently operating as shadow councillors. During this period, they are focused on preparing the new councils ahead of their formal launch on 1 April 2027, known as Vesting Day. Until then, they do not have responsibility for delivering services.
From 1 April 2027, shadow councillors will become full councillors, with responsibility for all council services in their respective areas.
The role of shadow authorities
During the shadow period, the role of the shadow authority is to put everything in place so that the new councils are ready to assume responsibility of services smoothly in April 2027.
This includes:
agreeing the structure of the new councils
appointing senior officers such as the Chief Executive and finance officer
setting up governance arrangements
approving budgets and council constitutions
agreeing how the councils will operate once they formally begin
This work is essential to make sure that services continue without disruption when responsibility transfers from the existing councils to the new East and West Surrey councils.
It is important to understand that shadow authorities will not run services. They do not make day‑to‑day service decisions and they do not manage individual casework on behalf of residents. Until 1 April 2027 their role is focused entirely on establishing the new organisations.
Current services
All council services continue to be delivered in the same way during the shadow year (May 2026 to March 2027).
Until 31 March 2027, services remain the responsibility of:
Surrey County Council, and
the existing district and borough councils
Your existing county, district and borough councillors remain responsible for service matters and for supporting residents with casework throughout.
Explore your new councils
These new councils will replace the current district and borough councils. Find out who represents you and discover key meetings.
- West Surrey is formed of the geographic areas of Guildford, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath, Waverley and Woking.
- East Surrey is formed of the geographic areas of Elmbridge, Epsom and Ewell, Mole Valley, Reigate and Banstead and Tandridge.
Contacting councillors
During the shadow year, knowing who to contact depends on the type of question you have.
If your enquiry is about a day‑to‑day council service, or if you need help with a service issue, you should continue to contact your existing county, district or borough council or councillor, just as you do now.
If your question is about local government reorganisation, or about how the new East and West Surrey councils are being set up, you can contact your shadow councillor.
Shadow councillors can respond to questions about the creation of the new councils, but they cannot take on service‑related casework. Any enquiries about services delivered by the existing councils should not be sent to shadow councillors, instead local councillors can help you. You can find their details on your local council’s website.
Until then residents can still contact the council through the usual channels and existing councillors will remain in post until 1 April 2027.