Concern over plan for single unitary Surrey Council
Following the announcement by Surrey County Council of their wish to create a single unitary authority for the whole of Surrey, Tandridge District Councillors have voiced their concern that this is not the right way forward for Tandridge and East Surrey residents.
A single unitary authority would mean the end of the 11 District and Borough Councils. The Government is expected to publish a White Paper in the autumn aimed at having more unitary authorities. On 10 July, the Leader of Surrey County Council wrote to the Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick MP proposing a single unitary council for Surrey.
Although many TDC Councillors welcomed the cost savings and improved services that could come from modernisation of local government, they thought that one monster authority was not the answer as it threatened local democracy especially in East Surrey and could lead to the west being prioritised.
It was generally agreed that if there are to be unitaries, then there should be separate East Surrey and West Surrey authorities. A motion to take this forward was proposed by Independents and OLRG Alliance Leader Councillor Catherine Sayer and seconded by Liberal Democrat Group Leader Councillor Chris Botten and unanimously agreed by members at the TDC full council meeting last Thursday. Here's the discussion:
