Proposal for West Surrey and South Middlesex name change submitted to MHCLG

Councillors have backed a formal request to change the new authority’s name from West Surrey Council to West Surrey and South Middlesex Council, marking a significant decision intended to reflect local identity and representation across the area covered by the future council.

The motion, brought by Cllr Harry Boparai, was supported after debate and is now being sent to the government for approval. If agreed, the change will recognise Spelthorne’s historic connection to Middlesex and ensure that the distinct communities joining the new authority feel properly acknowledged in its official title. The council said the timing was important because it wanted to secure agreement before spending money on branding, allowing work on a new logo and identity to move forward only once the name is legally confirmed.

Cllr Paul Follows, Leader of the West Surrey Shadow Authority, said the issue had been considered carefully and reflected the need for inclusive civic representation. He said: “I am pleased that a motion was passed to request the government change the official name of the council to ‘West Surrey and South Middlesex Council’.”

He added that the decision followed “careful deliberation regarding civic identity and effective representation across our entire administrative geography,” and that the council had listened closely to residents in Spelthorne. He also said the authority would continue to use the name West Surrey Council until government approval is secured.

Cllr Boparai welcomed the outcome, describing it as “a truly historic moment for Spelthorne” and said the vote gave the government “a clear mandate to restore the identity of South Middlesex.”

The name change was one of several measures discussed as part of wider preparations for the new authority, alongside financial safeguards, governance arrangements and plans to ensure the council starts life on a stable footing. However, the renaming stood out as the clearest expression of the debate about identity, heritage and how the new council should represent all its communities.