Yesterday, Tuesday 18th March, Surrey County Council proposed the way forward for Local Government Reorganisation.
However, the Labour Government will make the final decision that will affect future generations of Surrey residents.
Soon, the sun could set on the local government arrangements we have known for 50 years.
There were some decidedly nasty moments at the Surrey meeting, which we will not cover in this post. Suffice it to say it was the worst kind of politics that played out with a capital P! The Conservatives did themselves no favours in the eyes of the public with their personal abuse and accusations—attacks supported by MP Jeremy Hunt and his lady-in-waiting! How disappointing to see the focus of an overheard remark rather than the substantive issues. It’s not the number of new authorities but the nature with whom our council will cohabit in the future that’s important. The full council's three-hour debate was 'advisory' only, and the crucial decision was made later in the afternoon by the Executive Cabinet.
SCC Officers, led by their Head Honcho, are clear about what they want: ONE UNITARY AUTHORITY & POWER with a Capital P.
However, this cannot be as Surrey only has one upper-tier authority, and neighbouring areas made it clear that their current devolution ambitions did not include Surrey.
Surrey is Billy No Mates for the counties of Sussex, Hampshire or anyone else!
Local Government Reorganisation is essential to unlock devolution, and rules prevent Surrey from becoming a “devolution island.”
So what does Surrey County Council want?: Really, really, Want?
Deep down in its soul, SCC wants ONE Single Behemoth Unitary Authority—always has, always will. However, it is backing TWO but putting forward the 12 boroughs and district council’s option for THREE to ensure localism, accountability, and a desire to remain close to the people they serve. All while making efficiencies through economy of scale.
Members of the Cabinet claimed Surrey residents didn’t care who provided their services or from where as long as they were delivered as cheaply as possible.
Councillors from the borough and districts disagreed. Big was not beautiful.
Later in the afternoon, the CABINET, led by Leader Cllr Tim Oliver, agreed to forward both option documents to the Government Minister by the deadline of March 21.
Saying
” Then it will be up to the Government to choose one or other options—or perhaps none.”
Unanimously agreed
The Recommendations below will be submitted to the government by March 21. Leader Tim Oliver and the leader of the Borough & District Councils will sign the letter
The Government’s White Paper explains that new unitary councils must be the right size to achieve efficiencies, improve capacity and withstand financial shocks.
Two councils, Spelthorne and Woking, have gone bust, and others are in financial trouble. Waverley is one of the most financially robust councils in Surrey.
For most areas, this would mean creating councils with a population of 500,000 or more. Still, the Government recognises that there might be exceptions to ensure that new structures make sense for an area, recognising the importance of local identities and coherent local economies, including for devolution, and decisions will be on a case-by-case basis.
Waverley Council’s decision made later in the evening on Tuesday will be in another post. To include that debate would require a cup of tea and a lie-down.
Well regardless of our views Angie will do what she thinks is best ! (for the Labour party…). These changes are so fundamental that surely we should all be given the opportunity to shape the proposals and have a referendum to ensure whatever is presented to government actually represents the views of Waverley (and Surrey) residents! Having read the proposed pros and cons of the 2 v 3 state solutions I am not convinced either of them is really better than the other or in our best interests….. but what does that matter these days, local democracy has died.
Many Waverley councillors will agree with you; however, the indecent haste in which Surrey County Council raced to be the first off the starting line has prevented the boroughs and district from undertaking a decent consultation. If they had, who knows what the public might have come up with.