Surrey risks falling behind without elected mayor, warns council leader

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 20:32 · Archive

Surrey's outgoing council leader warns the county risks being left behind without adopting an elected mayor.

The outgoing leader of Surrey County Council has warned the county risks being 'left behind' if it does not adopt an elected mayor in the near future. Councillor Tim Oliver urged the incoming East and West Surrey councils to lean into Prime Minister Andy Burnham's devolution agenda.

The two new unitary councils will assume all local government responsibilities from April 2027 and are aiming to pool resources through a framework called a foundation strategic authority (FSA). An FSA can serve as a stepping stone towards a mayoral combined authority, similar to those in Greater Manchester, the West Midlands and the Tees Valley.

Councillor Oliver said the FSA would 'enable the two councils to work together over a strategic footprint, capitalising on the government's devolution agenda'. He added: 'Surrey needs to grab this opportunity with both hands, and I hope the leadership of East and West Surrey go full throttle in working with government to deliver it - including backing a mayor for Surrey in 2028.' Andy Burnham, who was Greater Manchester mayor before becoming Prime Minister, has pledged to give regional mayors a share of income tax receipts and grant strategic authorities more control over business rates revenue.

How it is being reported

• Surrey could be ‘left behind’ without mayor, says outgoing county council leaderThe outgoing leader of Surrey County Council has warned Surrey risks being “left behind” if the county does not adopt an elected mayor in the near future.Farnham Herald · 14 Oct, 20:00
• Surrey risks being 'left behind' if it doesn't get an elected mayor, council leader warnsHe also warned of huge financial challenges facing the incoming East and West Surrey councilsSurrey Live · 13 Oct, 15:16

In this story: Tim Oliver · Andy Burnham · Surrey · Greater Manchester · West Midlands · Tees Valley · East and West Surrey councils

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