Government issues Structural Changes Order for Surrey, alongside further reorganisation guidance

The Surrey (Structural Changes) Order 2026, which came into force on Tuesday (10 March), is accompanied by a note published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government that provides detailed explanations of the roles and responsibilities of predecessor councils, joint committees, shadow councils, and the implementation team across the transition period.

In a letter to the leaders of the county's councils, Local Government Minister Alison McGovern described the order as "an important milestone", but added: "However, this is only the start of the work that is needed for a successful delivery of the reorganisation for Surrey.

"I am pleased therefore to have seen that you have already made notable progress on the formation of the Joint Committees and Implementation Team and commenced the creation of the required Implementation Plan."

The county will be the first two-tier area to be replaced with a single-tier system under the Government's new local government reorganisation agenda, announced in the English Devolution White Paper in December 2024.

Surrey councils are on a fast-tracked timetable, with existing councils expected to be abolished and replaced by two unitary authorities (East and West Surrey). Elections are scheduled for May 2026, with shadow operations until full powers are assumed in April 2027.

In her letter, McGovern also said that to achieve a smooth transition, "local government reorganisation has to be a shared endeavour".

She said it is "imperative" that all of the key players involved work together and "proactively continue to abide by the duty for councils to co-operate with one another".

In a note attached to the order, the Government said it expects each reorganisation to adhere to two 'statutory periods of transition', the first of which runs from when the SCO comes into force, up to the inaugural elections to the new council.

The second transition period runs from a defined date following the inaugural elections, up to vesting day, the day on which the new unitary comes into existence and assumes all legal powers and service responsibilities.

The document also includes comprehensive lists of the roles of joint committees, predecessor councils, the implementation team, and the implementation executive.

It said it expects to provide further guidance in due course, including on shadow councils.

Adam Carey