The Government plans to restructure local government in England by replacing County Councils and District Councils with new Unitary Authorities. Surrey County Council is seeking for Surrey to be part of the first wave of reorganisation. The BRA calls for all those involved to: work constructively together, provide effective communication and resident engagement, and to focus on the impact of the changes on people’s lives as a result of the restructuring.
The BRA wants to alert residents to what is coming as the changes appear both unavoidable and fast paced.
The new Surrey Unitary Authority(ies), possibly with an elected Mayor, will provide the services currently provided by the County Council and the District Council. Devolution will see a handover of certain other powers usually exercised by Central Government depending on the level of devolution opted for. Unitary Authorities choosing to have a Mayor will receive more devolved powers than those that do not.
Restructuring and devolution will not be optional. If our existing County and District Council leaders do not agree about what restructuring and devolution structure they want for Surrey, it will be specified for them by Ministerial Directive.
Various sources have provided views on what is proposed:
The Deputy Prime Minister has said the White Paper is designed to embed devolution into the country’s constitution and "achieve growth, more joined-up delivery of public services, and politics being done with communities, not to them". The government will, it says, "drive change at every level" and:
give communities stronger tools to shape the future of their local areas, including through a strong new right to buy and maintain beloved community assets
get councils back on their feet, by providing long-term financial stability, strengthen standards, streamline structures and end the ‘Whitehall knows best’ mindset
give Mayors strong new powers over housing, planning, transport, energy, skills, employment support and more, backed up with integrated and consolidated funding.
Surrey County has written to the Government asking to be in the "first wave" of those reorganised. The thinking includes wanting to be able to help shape the process as it develops, to get the best outcome for residents. Apparently, interested parties including all councils in Surrey will have the opportunity to develop a business case for reorganisation, to submit to government in March.
The 11 Districts and Boroughs have expressed concerns about the pace of change being imposed by central government.
The Local Government Association has commented: "We believe it [devolution] is important because it ensures that decisions are made closer to the local people, communities and businesses they affect. Devolution will provide greater freedoms and flexibilities at a local level, meaning councils can work more effectively to improve public services for their area. The result will be more effective, better targeted public services, greater growth and stronger partnerships between public, private and community leaders in local areas".
The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy has raised issues about resources, accountability and control, flexibility and efficiency. It has concluded that "Ultimately, the success of devolution will be measured by its impact on people’s lives. A streamlined, well-resourced accountable system will improve services and help communities thrive."
The Society of Local Council Clerks (parish and town councils) welcomes the proposals but notes the White Paper lacks detail on how it will empower "ultra-local" communities.
