What it really, really wants.
This week, SCC will ask the Government to approve its Two-Unitary Proposal
Tory-controlled Surrey raced ahead in the devolution stakes to avoid a county council election last week, which could have ended in a similar Tory bloodbath which occurred elsewhere in the country.
The proposal to divide Surrey into two unitary authorities as part of the local Government reorganisation will now be winging its way to the government, despite opposition from most of the 10 borough and district councils, including Guildford and Waverley.
Surrey CC has been fast-tracked for reorganisation, including the postponement of elections, without a clear plan for dealing with its debt.
Cllr Julia McShane
Julia McShane, Lib Dem group leader at GBC and council leader, said: “The Conservatives at Surrey County Council denied residents their democratic right to vote on 1 May so they could retain power and avoid the Conservative losses across the County.
“They have no mandate to put forward any proposal for devolution, let alone the two-unitary model they are supporting.
“Districts and boroughs have agreed on a three-unitary proposal which puts people and communities first. It creates financial savings and retains local decision-making and democratic representation. Residents across Surrey gave their views in a survey and overwhelmingly supported the three-unitary option, as do we in Guildford.
“It’s wrong for the Conservatives at Surrey County Council to try and put all the debt into a West Surrey Unitary. Wrong because the debt was created by Conservative-run borough councils and SCC has £1 billion debt of its own. Woking’s residents are already feeling the negative impact of that Conservative legacy.
“The debt issue must be resolved as part of the ongoing negotiation with the government. The three unitary authorities must be financially viable to deliver the vital services our communities need. Guildford’s residents should not be shouldering the Conservatives’ debt burden, and as Lib Dems, we will fight to get a fair deal for them.”
Waverley’s Lib Dem Leader, Paul Follows, has echoed Cllr McShane’s sentiments, telling councillors last week that new unitary authorities cannot be set up to fail.
I personally will not support any proposals without a resolution or plan on this, or indeed without some assurances from the government about how services in general will be financially sustainable in the future.Neither the Surrey CC plan for two nor the other plan for three councils can work without this being sorted.
Surrey’s local authorities collectively hold a significant debt burden, totalling around £5.5 billion. This includes a substantial debt of £2.6 billion from Woking Borough Council and over £1 billion from Spelthorne. This debt is a major factor in the ongoing debate about local government reorganisation in Surrey.
Now.
Why would a Labour Government possibly allow a Tory to manipulate a situation where they are allowed to survive extinction?
Answer.
When you can expose to the harsh realities of the voters that at all levels the Tories are utterly incompetent, from MPs to county councillors. What better scenario than exposing the scale of debt.
Add to that Reform.
Reform will be all over Surrey like a rash the moment the UAs are set up. As a Labour Government there is no delight in Reform but when it comes to Surrey the only chance of getting rid of Tories is exposed them and allow other parties to finish them off.The Liberals are not seen as a threat. Reform is, but when they get to grips with Surrey the reality of the scale and the unpopular deductions will fall hard upon them.
The East West split suggested does not work well with intentions to extend the reach of London. And the burden is too great. Unless this is deliberate to extract as much wealth out of the Surrey Hills as is possible. Might be just a smidgen of class warfare and pip squeaking going on?
A North South split makes for a wider estate for London to grab.
The opportunities to ravage plunder and lay waste are nigh on endless.
Kaiser Tim will get his Empire. But not for long.
MeaninglessMud
The substantial debt of £2.6 billion from Woking Borough Council and over £1 billion from Spelthorne should be paid for by these authorities that created them and the individuals responsible held to account. Reorganisation should be put on hold until these critical issues are resolved. Surrey CC has no democratic mandate for any change it proposes. Surrey CC elections should have taken place their postponement was blatent contempt for democracy and the residents of Surrey.