Published: 30 April 2025
From: Democracy
ºÚÁÏÍøÕ¾ Borough Council has today published a joint proposal with Reigate & Banstead Borough Council to create a new unitary authority as part of the government’s Local Government Reform plans. This will be considered at a special meeting of Full Council followed by a meeting of Cabinet on 7 May.
Together, Reigate & Banstead and ºÚÁÏÍøÕ¾ form a £13 billion plus economy, the largest economy in the sub-region, and conjoined by the world’s busiest single runway airport in Gatwick.
The proposal argues that the creation of a hard boundary between the two authorities, with the potential through devolution of two elected mayors either side, would be detrimental to the government’s growth agenda. Furthermore, it sets out the case that the proceeds of growth outweigh any savings that might be made through the formation of a larger unitary.
At the government’s direction, this proposal had to be submitted by 9 May in line with the accelerated programme of Local Government Reform in Surrey. This is on a different timeline to West Sussex, where the deadline for proposals is the 26 September.
ºÚÁÏÍøÕ¾ Borough Council will continue to work with all other local authorities across West Sussex to develop proposals ahead of that deadline. The council is not stating a preference for either of the proposals at this stage.
This is a once in a generation, possibly once in a lifetime, opportunity to rethink how local government works. We are duty bound to consider all possible options within the guidelines set by government to ensure that this town and its residents are best served by whatever structures are to follow. By submitting this proposal now, we keep this option, and the compelling case regarding our shared economy, alive so that it can be considered alongside the proposals that emerge from our work in West Sussex.
Councillor Michael Jones
Leader
ºÚÁÏÍøÕ¾ Borough Council
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