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Devolution
The transfer of powers and funding from national to local government, allowing decisions to be made closer to the people they affect.
For more information see: Surrey County Council: About devolution and local government reorganisation.
Devolution Framework
The set of functions and governance arrangements for different levels of strategic authority, as outlined in legislation.
Devolution Priority Programme
Areas ready to come together under geography criteria set out in the White Paper and wishing to progress the creation of a Mayoral Strategic Authority to an accelerated timescale.
English Devolution White Paper
The English Devolution White Paper, also known as the ‘White Paper’ is the government’s statement of their plans to reform local government. This includes a wide range of proposals on devolution but also wider plans for local government reorganisation and changes to local audit.
Interim submission
A preliminary plan or proposal submitted by local authorities to the government on 21 March 2025. This submission outlines initial ideas and options for how the reorganisation might be implemented in a specific area.
Local government reorganisation (LGR)
The process in which the structure and responsibilities of local authorities are reconfigured. This is what we are part of in Surrey. For more information see: Surrey County Council: About devolution and local government reorganisation.
Mayor
The directly elected leader of a geographical region or single unitary council.
Mayoral Strategic Authority
A type of local government structure that is led by a directly elected mayor. This authority is granted a range of devolved powers and responsibilities to manage and make strategic decisions over key areas such as transport, housing, economic development and skills within its region.
For more information see: Surrey County Council: About devolution and local government reorganisation.
Shadow Authority
A temporary governing body established during the transition period of local government reorganisation. A shadow authority is elected to carry out the functions of a new unitary council until that authority formally comes into effect. The shadow authority operates in a preparatory capacity, ensuring a smooth transition from the existing local government structure to the new one.
Shadow elections
Elections held for a new unitary authority before it officially comes into existence. These elections are conducted to elect members who will serve on a shadow authority.
Strategic Authority
A local authority or combined authority designated to have strategic powers over areas such as transport, housing, and economic development.
Surrey Leaders
The elected leaders of the district and borough councils and the county council within Surrey.
Two-tier system
A local government structure where responsibilities are divided between county councils and district or borough councils. This is the structure we currently have in Surrey.
Two unitary proposal / Three unitary proposal
In Surrey, two proposals have been put forward to government:
- a proposal for two unitary councils: East Surrey and West Surrey
- a proposal for three unitary councils: East Surrey, West Surrey and North Surrey
The two or three unitary councils will replace the current 12 councils.
Elmbridge supports the proposal for two unitary councils, which makes it part of East Surrey with Mole Valley, Epsom & Ewell, Reigate & Banstead and Tandridge councils.
The three unitary proposal places Elmbridge in North Surrey with Runnymede and Spelthorne councils.
Unitarisation
The process of merging local councils into a single unitary council or multiple unitary councils.
Unitary authority
A single-tier local government structure that combines the functions of county and district councils, responsible for all local services in an area. They may cover a whole county, part of a county or a large town or city.
Vesting Day
The date when a new local authority officially comes into existence and assumes its legal powers and responsibilities. This is a key milestone in the process of local government reorganisation, marking the transition from the old structure to the new one.
White Paper
A policy document produced by the government that sets out proposals for future legislation.