Local Government Finance: West Surrey
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 22 May 2026, to Question 442, on Local Government Finance: West Surrey, if he will publish equivalent figures for the absolute monetary amount of core spending power, (1) including and (2) excluding council tax receipts, for the new unitaries of (a) West Surrey and (b) East Surrey in (i) 2027-28 and (ii) 2028-29, in light of the abolition of Surrey County Council in April 2027.
Answered by Alison McGovern
Funding allocations for all councils covering 2026-27 to 2028-29, including those which have been invited to undergo reorganisation, were set out in the final Local Government Finance Settlement in February. Where an area reorganises into multiple unitary councils, the area will need to assess an appropriate division of this Settlement grant funding between new unitary councils. It is important that areas determine allocations locally because local authorities hold the information needed to assess the level of need and resources at a sub-local authority level. We are working closely with Surrey Councils to support them through this transition.
In line with the approach taken in previous reorganisations, the 2027-28 and 2028-29 Local Government Finance Settlements will set out allocations for the new unitary authorities, based on the information provided by them.
Areas should make every effort to come to local agreements. If areas are unable to reach an agreement, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government will make a determination on the share of Settlement allocations due to the new authorities. This backstop is a last resort.
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