Surrey County Council and the 11 district and borough councils have come together to communicate plans for devolution and local government reorganisation, including preparing residents for elections.
Surrey County Council and the 11 district and borough councils have come together to communicate plans for devolution and local government reorganisation, including preparing residents for elections to the two new councils in May.
The group of 12 councils are committed to ensuring residents are aware of the changes, how it impacts them and how they can have a say by voting in the elections, and are communicating the change via a temporary brand called ‘Future Surrey’. Residents will receive information through letterboxes, on social media, in newsletters, in local libraries and community spaces and via a new website.
The new website has been developed to bring together information, updates and resources about Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation in one trusted place, helping people understand what is changing, why it is happening, and what it means for them.
The Future Surrey website is available at surreylgrhub.gov.uk.
It features the latest information on elections in Surrey, including information on how residents can prepare to vote. Government has confirmed elections for the new councils will take place in May 2026. To vote, residents must be registered by midnight on Monday 20 April 2026 at gov.uk/register-to-vote.
Depending on where residents live, they will vote for who represents their local area in East Surrey or West Surrey at their local polling station.
The councillors elected in May 2026 will work as shadow authorities initially, helping oversee the transition. From April 2027, they’ll officially take over delivering all local services in East and West Surrey.
Existing councillors in all current councils will continue to represent their areas until 31 March 2027.
Terence Herbert, Chief Executive of Surrey County Council and Senior Responsible Officer for LGR in Surrey said:
Future Surrey is about delivering complex change in a clear, consistent and transparent way. While we prepare for the new unitary councils, our priority is maintaining high-quality services, supporting our staff and residents and providing accurate, up-to-date information people can rely on. Future Surrey brings everything together in one place, helping residents, businesses and partners understand the process and key milestones, including the upcoming elections.
Notes to Editors:
Future Surrey is not a brand for the two new councils. Branding for East Surrey and West Surrey will be developed after the May 2026 elections and launched when the new councils come into force in April 2027.
Government has decided that, from April 2027, Surrey’s current county, district and borough councils will be replaced by two new unitary councils:
- West Surrey Council – Guildford, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath, Waverley, Woking, plus Surrey County Council
- East Surrey Council – Elmbridge, Epsom and Ewell, Mole Valley, Reigate and Banstead, Tandridge, plus Surrey County Council
For now, nothing changes in the way services are received. District and Borough councils and the County Council will continue to deliver services as normal and residents will be kept updated throughout the process.