Unitary Councils: Surrey
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance her Department has provided to Surrey councils on drawing up proposals for a single unitary council for Surrey.
Answered by Jim McMahon
In our unitary invitation we have set out guidance to support councils as they develop proposals that are in the best interests of their areas. This includes guidance on issues of size, sensible geographies, efficiencies and financial sustainability, public service delivery, community engagement and devolution. Proposals should be for a sensible geography which will help to increase housing supply and meet local needs. It is for councils to develop robust and sustainable proposals that are in the best interests of their whole area. We have not asked Surrey to include a single unitary proposal. As part of the feedback process, it was suggested that Surrey councils may wish to consider an options appraisal that could include a counter factual of a single unitary, which could be helpful as a benchmark.
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