Confused about how this might affect you?

We are hoping to be in Dorking for a chat about devolution from Thursday October 2 - Saturday 12 October, 10am -2pm, more details to follow please...

Have your say now

Mole Valley District Council are now running a community governance review until October 17 2025. Make sure your voice and that of the community is heard. If you are confused or have questions as to the issues nvolved please contact us on hello@dorkingcommunity.org.uk

Public consultation on both Surrey unitary proposals closed on 5 August 2025

MP's concerns

In a written reply to our MP Chris Coghlan from Jim McMahon, Minister of State:  Local Government: Reorganisation: 18 Feb 2025: Hansard Written Answers - TheyWorkForYou

We will therefore want to see stronger community arrangements when reorganisation happens, in the way councils engage at a neighbourhood or area level.

It's time to get active!

Make sure Democracy in Dorking supports our community.

Our community researchers have spoken/written to Surrey & MVDC councillors and our MP, searched the internet, read the information and discussed the implications. This website shares our findings with you.

Or email hello@dorkingcommunity.org.uk

Questions that need to be answered

You might well have more: email us on the above link and we’ll add general ones

• What will happen to Pippbrook Council Offices? They could continue to be used as ancillary offices but are probably too small and not central enough to house the East Surrey unitary council. They could be sold or rented out as offices.
• Who will take over responsibility for non-statutory obligations? In un-parished areas of E Surrey it will be the new East Surrey Authority. Town & Parish Councils can take them on, but a large part of northern Surrey is unparished.
• What areas are un-parished? See our Town and Parish Council's page
• How many Council Officers will lose their jobs with this reorganisation? It depends on whether we become a 2 or 3 tier unitary authority.  There will inevitably be job losses and redundancies.
• How are Officers & Councillors coping with the increased workloads right now and until unitary reorganisation happens in May 2027? They are doing their best but hampered by uncertainty and the tight timeline. Normal work continues despite everything.
• Will Councillors in unitary councils get more allowances as their workloads will increase dramatically? Ummm!...
• Will people still have the chance to speak at council meetings? Yes, but speaking and attendance will be more difficult if the East Surrey Council Offices are hard to reach from Mole Valley.

Similar Authorities coping with Devolution

West of England Combined Authority

A mayoralty working with 3 Councils

York and North Yorkshire Combined

one of the newer combined authorities with a directly elected mayor (David Skaith) and 2 unitary authorities.

Hertfordshire

Similar location and mix of town / rural)  going through the same process as Surrey, with the same timeline. They have submitted 4 proposals to the govt.