The inaugural meeting of the Shadow Cabinet Executive for the new East Surrey Council took place on Monday 8 June, marking an important milestone in the transition to the county’s new arrangements.
Following the May 2026 local elections, two shadow authorities have now been established to prepare for the creation of East Surrey Council and West Surrey Council. The newly elected councillors are currently serving in a ‘shadow’ capacity, focusing on building the foundations of the new councils ahead of their official launch on 1 April 2027, known as Vesting Day.
Preparations include agreeing the council’s structure, appointing senior officers, setting governance arrangements, approving budgets and the constitution, and deciding how the council will operate. This work is critical to ensure a smooth transition with no disruption to services.
Councillor Steve Wotton, Leader of the East Surrey Shadow Authority, emphasised the opportunity to reshape how local government works for communities across East Surrey:
“Meeting as a Shadow Cabinet Executive for the first time marks more progress in shaping the future East Surrey Council. Our priority is to put the right structures and plans in place, so residents benefit from a well-organised and effective new council from day one in April 2027.
“We are committed to making East Surrey a place where people thrive. There is a lot to do, but this is a real opportunity to take a new approach, designing a council that is open, transparent and genuinely focused on delivering outcomes for residents, businesses and communities.”
The First Shadow Cabinet Executive meeting
Implementation Plan
- Members received an update on plans to manage and oversee the transition to the new East Surrey Council. This includes how progress will be monitored and how the programme will be kept on track.
- They will continue to review and update the overall plan for creating the new council and ensure everything is in place for a smooth and well-managed transition.
Section 24
- The Secretary of State has issued a standard safeguard Section 24 which is used during local government reorganisation to protect the future councils’ finances. It ensures that significant financial or contractual decisions are properly overseen while new councils are being set up.
- The Shadow Executives of East Surrey have approved a list of general consents to ensure day-to-day services will continue as normal, with no impact on residents. Existing councils can keep operating within agreed budgets, while the Shadow Authority oversees major new commitments.
- This helps ensure a smooth and well-managed transition to the new East Surrey Council.
East Surrey Council’s Corporate Strategy
- Cabinet Executive members discussed how the new East Surrey Council’s Corporate Strategy will be developed, setting out its future direction, priorities and values.
- An initial strategy will be created during the shadow period that will incorporate the vision for the new council and will guide early decisions on budgets and services, with a more detailed plan to follow after April 2027.
Foundational Strategic Authority
- Cabinet Executive members were updated on plans to secure greater powers and funding for Surrey through the creation of a new Foundational Strategic Authority.
The next meeting of the East Surrey Shadow Cabinet Executive is 20 July 2026 and the next meeting of the full East Surrey Shadow Council is 29 July 2026. Agendas and webcasts as available via the East Surrey Council page.
Notes to Editors
About Local Government Reorganisation
Local government in Surrey is changing to make the system simpler, more connected, and better able to meet local needs. From April 2027, the existing county council and 11 district and borough councils in Surrey will be replaced by two new unitary councils – East Surrey and West Surrey.
Instead of separate county, district and borough councils, there will be one council in the East and one council in the West providing all the services residents rely on - education, waste collection, roads, housing, play areas, the countryside, leisure centres, planning, children’s services, adult social care, community funding, elections and more.
We’re also working with government on plans that could bring more powers into the county and unlock devolution through a Strategic Authority which would sit across the whole of Surrey, helping us make an even bigger difference.
Find out more on the Future Surrey website.
The East Surrey Shadow political leadership:
- Leader: Cllr Steve Wotton
- Deputy Leader: Cllr Kirsty Hewens
- Chair: Cllr Nick Dodds
- Vice Chair: Cllr Neil Houston
Shadow Cabinet Executive Portfolio holders for East Surrey Council:
- Cllr Steve Wotton, Leader and Executive Member for Transformation, Digital and People
- Cllr Kirsty Hewens, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration
- Cllr Andrew Burton, Executive Member for Finance and Resources
- Cllr Ashley Tilling, Executive Member for Children's Services and Education
- Cllr David Buxton, Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Health
- Cllr Andrew Matthews, Executive Member for Transport Highways and Infrastructure
- Cllr Bradley Nelson, Executive Member for Strategic Planning and Growth
- Cllr Julian Freeman, Executive Member for Housing
- Cllr Abhiram Magesh, Executive Member for Leisure Culture and Communities
- Cllr Claire Malcomson, Executive Member for Climate, Environment and Waste
Further information about East Surrey Council.