Dragon Interview: SCC Leader on Delayed Unitary Authority Bid

Published on: 21 Sep, 2020
Updated on: 24 Sep, 2020

Council leader Tim Oliver and Secretary of State Robert Jenrick

Political leaders get annoyed when their internal communications are leaked but it can lift the curtain on the internal workings of our government, in this case at national and county level.

The email from Tim Oliver leader of Surrey County Council to his Conservative group colleagues showed that he was frustrated with what would be seen as another government U-Turn, a decision that would scupper, for the time being, his proposal for a switch on one big unitary authority for the whole of Surrey and its 1.2 million population.

But he agreed to be interviewed by Martin Giles on the subject and it appears that the proposal might not be dead, just delayed.

Cllr Oliver is challenged on the timing of his proposal, gives a ballpark estimate on the cost and says whether he can foresee a referendum on the subject, to ensure it has public support…