Devolution Deal – More Powers Given to Surrey County Council

Published on: 15 Mar, 2024
Updated on: 17 Mar, 2024

By Chris Caulfield

local democracy reporter

Surrey County Council is to have more powers as part of a devolution deal announced by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, who is also the MP for South West Surrey.

Chief among those is more control over core adult education budgets from April 2026.

In the run-up, the Government will work with Surrey to help it get up to speed with its greater responsibility.

But there will be no reform of local government as a result of the deal, nor any move for the county and its 11 boroughs and districts to merge into a single unitary council. “Crucially”, the statement read, it also “does not require there to be a directly elected mayor”.

The news was greeted by Tim Oliver (Con, Weybridge), leader of Surrey County Council, as a “step in the right direction”, after it was confirmed during the Government’s Wednesday, March 6 budget.

Jeremy Hunt MP

The move also signalled that further devolution between the Government and county could take place in the future, according to a statement issued shortly after the decision was announced.

It said that the Government would continue to work with Surrey on public service reform and infrastructure investment, support inclusive economic growth in towns, cities and rural areas, while at the same time tackle climate change.

Cllr Oliver said: “I have always been clear in my determination that the residents of Surrey will not be left behind, and this devolution deal with government is a step in the right direction in helping us achieve that ambition.

Tim Oliver – Leader of Surrey County Council

“Local government and our local communities are best placed to deliver what Surrey needs. I’m pleased that the government is recognising that, with hopefully further devolved powers to local government in due course.

“More control over things like local growth, skills and careers for our young people, lifelong learning provision, the climate agenda, local public transport, and housing, will enable the county council, and partners, to make positive change in Surrey.

“We look forward to working with the government, and with local partners like district and borough councils, businesses, and education providers, to maximise the opportunities this county deal presents for the benefit of all residents.

“This is a positive step in delivering more power to communities.”

There will be no reform of local government as a result of the deal, nor any move for the county and its 11 boroughs and districts to merge into a single unitary council. “Crucially”, the statement read, it also “does not require there to be a directly elected mayor”.

Funding for free courses for jobs will also be devolved and ring-fenced.

Once implemented, Surrey’s devolution framework agreement will include

the devolution of the Adult Education Budget and funding for Free Courses for Jobs;
the integration of Local Enterprise Partnership functions
new land assembly and compulsory purchase power transferred to the council
the Council taking on strategic oversight for the delivery of future rounds of UK shared prosperity funding