Government in final stages of creating elected Surrey mayor

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 28 Oct, 18:15 · Archive

The government said in the Budget it was in the final stages of establishing an elected mayor for Surrey.

The government announced in the Budget that it is in the final stages of establishing an elected mayor for Surrey as part of broader devolution measures across England. Chancellor John Healey said he wanted a 'radical rewiring of the state' to give greater power to regions. Surrey's proposed mayor would be elected separately and work alongside the planned East and West Surrey councils on strategic issues.

Surrey County Council leader Tim Oliver welcomed the government's intention to secure a mayor for Surrey. He called for the incoming East and West Surrey councils to 'go full throttle' in working with the government to deliver the proposal. 'Surrey needs to grab this opportunity with both hands to unlock the funding, infrastructure investments, and local decision-making powers that our residents deserve,' Oliver said. The leaders of both East Surrey and West Surrey councils also welcomed the proposal.

From April, Surrey County Council will be abolished along with 11 lower-tier district councils in the county and replaced with the two new single-tier councils. A Surrey mayor would function similarly to mayoral combined authorities elsewhere, such as in Greater Manchester and the West Midlands, where multiple councils pool resources on key strategic issues overseen by a directly elected mayor.

How it is being reported

• Leaders welcome Surrey mayor update in BudgetThe government says it is in the "final stages" of agreeing on an elected mayor in Surrey.BBC Surrey · 28 Oct, 17:28
• Government in 'final stages' of creating elected Mayor of Surrey, according to BudgetChancellor John Healey unveiled fresh devolution measures in the BudgetSurrey Live · 28 Oct, 15:41

In this story: Surrey · Greater Manchester · West Midlands · John Healey · Tim Oliver · East Surrey Council · West Surrey Council

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