‘Devolution’: ‘We Are Like Ants Considering How the Lawn Is Going To Be Cut’

Published on: 13 May, 2025
Updated on: 15 May, 2025

Cllr Jeremy Pursehouse

By Chris Caulfield

local democracy reporter

Another Surrey councillor has spoken of the futility of debating what should happen to Surrey under the Government’s plan to reorganise local government.

“We are like ants sitting around discussing how the lawn is going to be cut. It’s already been decided way above our heads,” Cllr Jeremy Pursehouse (Ind, Warlingham East, Chelsham & Farleigh) said.

“But that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t fight for the way that we want this to be done and I think it is vital that we put up as good a fight as we possibly can.”

His comment came as Tandridge District Council voted, on May 6, to remain firmly in Surrey, distancing themselves from any merger and rejecting Crawley’s advances to become a mega council.

Neighbouring Reigate & Banstead have been in talks with Crawley about potentially making one super council under devolution plans. In Crawley’s submission to the government, Tandridge is included in five of their seven geographic options despite officers making clear Tandridge does not wish to be joined in this way.

Cllr Catherine Sayer. Darren Pepe

Catherine Sayer (Residents Alliance, Oxted North), council leader, said: “I believe we have little in common with Crawley and there will be considerable drawbacks for our district joining any unitary with them [and] potentially isolating Tandridge District Council geographically.”

Cllr Helena Windsor said she could see where the Reigate and Banstead/Crawley argument was coming from, but agreed it was a “non-starter” as it would leave Tandridge “very isolated”.

Council documents read: “The Reigate and Banstead and Crawley submission adds considerable risks to the successful implementation of any Surrey unitary structure, potentially isolating the Tandridge District geographically.”

The leader of Reigate and Banstead Borough Council (RBBC) wrote to the government earlier this year claiming joining the Surrey borough and West Sussex town could maximise the economic growth potential of the successful Gatwick Diamond economic area. Cllr Richard Biggs added the merger could improve connectivity, housing delivery and public services.

Cllr Jonathan Essex

But opposition members have slammed the idea as a “grotesque betrayal of residents”. Cllr Jonathan Essex, leader of the Green groups on RBBC and Surrey County Council, highlighted the impacts of the proposal on house-building on the green belt.

He said: “Without any public consultation, the Conservatives have suggested a merger with Crawley, knowing that Crawley cannot possibly build all the homes it needs on its own land.

This would inevitably lead to even more building on Reigate & Banstead’s countryside. This move by the Conservatives is a grotesque betrayal of the many residents who say that the green belt is what they value most about where they live.”

Not everyone in Crawley has been keen on linking with Surrey, campaigners have started a petition to fight to keep the West Sussex town’s identity. People argued Crawley is an integral part to West Sussex and is merely being exploited as a strategic economic asset due to holding Gatwick Airport.

Councillors also voted in favour of Surrey being split into three unitary authorities – where Tandridge would be partnered up with Mole Valley, Epsom and Ewell, Reigate and Banstead as well as Surrey Heath. Separately, members agreed: Tandridge residents should not pick up the bill for the debt problems of other local authorities within Surrey.

West Byfleet Pavilion (image WBC)

Woking Asset Sale

In debt-ridden Woking the borough council has announced its latest asset disposal. It is seeking to hand over the running of West Byfleet Pavilion.

Billed as a ‘new opportunity for local groups’ the council is looking for people to express an interest in taking on the site to help “safeguard the valued community space for future generations”.

The council has been looking to offload assets in a fire sale of cost-cutting ever since it declared itself effectively bust with debts approaching £2.6 billion.

It has cut services, raised taxes, and shed staff. The council hopes that by finding partners to run popular community facilities it can stave off further damaging closures.

Cllr Ellen Nicholson

Cllr Ellen Nicholson, Woking Borough Council’s portfolio holder for climate change and leisure, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for a local organisation to take on the management of West Byfleet Pavilion, ensuring this much-loved community space continues to serve local residents for years to come.

“Our community asset transfer programme is about empowering local groups to shape the future of their neighbourhoods and deliver services that matter most to them.

“We particularly welcome partnership applications that reflect the vibrant sports community and diverse range of organisations already associated with the site.

“We look forward to hearing from groups ready to step forward and take on this exciting challenge.”

The council has been using this process as a key part of its budget savings “while ensuring valued community assets remain active, locally run and at the heart of their communities”.

The West Byfleet Recreation Ground pavilion can be used as a indoor space for a variety of community uses, the council said, as well as giving access to outdoor sports pitches and green space.

Those seeking to take on the pavilion’s management must demonstrate how they will run the site against set criteria.

This includes:

Delivering sustained valued community assets and enable locally run services to thrive and flourish independent of council funding.
Enabling and empower community organisations to directly operate assets and support the growth and development of the third sector
Providing social and economic benefits for the local area, focus on social inclusion and be environmentally considerate.

Only applications that meet the council’s community asset transfer policy will progress to the next stage and be invited to submit a business case. The council said there is no standard timescale for the transfer process.

The deadline to apply is 5pm on Friday June 13.