Issue - meetings

This report outlines the latest developments and updates on Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) following the decision from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) on 28 October 2025 to implement the 2 unitary proposal for Surrey.

Council received a report outlining the latest developments and updates on Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) following the decision from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) on 28 October 2025 to implement the 2 unitary proposal for Surrey. The report included a recommendation nominating Councillor Hannah Dalton to be appointed representative for Epsom & Ewell Borough Council on any relevant LGR Joint Committee.

Councillor John Beckett MOVED and Councillor Rachel King SECONDED the motion.

Councillor James Lawrence MOVED and Councillor Chris Ames SECONDED a nomination of Councillor Alex Coley to the appointment proposed in recommendation 5 of the report. Following receipt of this nomination, the Mayor informed the Council that a ballot would be held.

The results of the ballot were as follows: Councillor Hannah Dalton, 17 votes, Councillor Alex Coley, 11 votes.

Following consideration, it was resolved with 23 votes for, 4 abstentions and the Mayor not voting to:

(1)       Note the updates for LGR in Surrey, particularly the decision and relevant information from MHCLG;

(2)       Agree to the establishment of the East Surrey Joint Committee on a voluntary basis, effective immediately, that shall be constituted and be established under the provisions of section 101(5) (arrangements for discharge of functions by local authorities) of the Local Government 1972 Act and pursuant to the requirements of the draft Surrey (Structural Changes) Order 2026.

(3)       Note that upon enactment of the Surrey (Structural Changes) Order 2026, the voluntary East Surrey Joint Committee shall become the Joint Committee required to be established under the provisions of that legislation and that this will be constituted and established under the provisions as set out above in Recommendation 2.

(4)       Agree and adopt the Terms of Reference and Terms of Procedure set out within Appendix 1 to the report for all forms of an East Surrey Joint Committee.

(5)       Delegate to the Chief Executive, Directors and Head of Legal any necessary authority to support the establishment, operation and decision making required by and in support of any relevant LGR Joint Committees (to include any informal working groups).

It was resolved in accordance with the ballot detailed in the Minutes above to:

(6)        Approve Cllr Dalton as the appointed representative for Epsom & Ewell Borough Council on any relevant LGR Joint Committee;