West Surrey leader sets out vision

West Surrey Shadow Authority leader councillor Paul Follows of the Liberal Democrats has set out an ambitious vision for the new West Surrey Council, saying local government reorganisation offers a chance to create positive change while keeping decision-making close to residents and communities.

He wants the future authority to be open, accountable and focused on delivering practical results for residents, businesses and local groups across the area.

As planning continues ahead of the council’s launch on 1 April 2027, Follows also stressed the need to confront major financial challenges. West Surrey Council is expected to inherit about £4 billion of debt from existing authorities, with around half linked to Woking Borough Council. While he welcomed the government’s first £500 million debt write-off, he warned that more support will be needed if West Surrey is to avoid poorer outcomes than other parts of the country.

Residents and organisations are also being invited to help shape the identity of the new council by contributing to the branding process, so the authority reflects the character of towns, villages and communities across West Surrey.

“Our vision for West Surrey is bold. Local government reorganisation will create positive change, but we must ensure we remain genuinely local. Decision-making must stay close to the people it impacts in our towns and villages,” said councillor Paul Follows.

At a July shadow executive meeting, councillors provisionally agreed recommendations for how services could be delivered by the future council. The decisions are part of early planning, alongside work on waste services, the Corporate Strategy, the Implementation Plan, Section 24 arrangements and recruitment of a permanent Chief Executive. Section 24 is a financial safeguard that limits major spending, contracts and land sales before the new councils formally begin. Councillor Leslie Rice said this would help ensure the new authority starts on a solid, transparent financial footing.