Historic Meeting Marks the Start of the Major Reorganisation of Local Government

Published on: 22 May, 2026
Updated on: 22 May, 2026

The moment when Cllr Paul Follows, second from the left, is elected as the leader of West Surrey Shadow Authority. Cllr Penny Rivers who chaired the meeting can be seen on the dais.

By Martin Giles

The leader of the new West Surrey Shadow Authority wasted no time in trying to assure residents that localism would remain at the heart of the new council’s agenda despite the centralising nature of the Government’s local government reorganisation.

The newly elected shadow council held its first meeting yesterday, May 21, marking an important step towards the new West Surrey Council assuming operational responsibilities in April 2027.

The Shadow Authority replaces the previous Joint Committees and will lead the transition to a single unitary council for West Surrey. In the meantime, existing councils will continue to run services smoothly while plans for the future strategy and operating model for the council are developed.

Cllr Paul Follows, elected as the first-ever leader of West Surrey Council.

At its first meeting Cllr Paul Follows was elected, as anticipated, as council leader.

He said: “I am focused on the significant task ahead – building a strong, effective and financially sustainable council that puts residents first, delivers high-quality services, and makes a real difference to people’s lives as we move towards 2027.

“I am hugely grateful to staff across all existing councils who are working hard to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible. In an increasingly challenging world with democracy under threat, I would also like to thank all those involved in securing fair and free elections on the 7 May.”

It is intended that he shadow authority will work closely with the county borough and district councils, in their final year. as well as partners and local communities to shape how the new West Surrey Council will operate, ensuring it reflects local priorities and continues to deliver high-quality services.

‘The most comprehensive localism agenda seen in the UK’

Emphasising the priority he and his Executive will place on delegating power downwards, Cllr Follows made an ambitious claim: “As members will see in the next three weeks I, with my colleagues in the Executive, will roll out the most comprehensive localism agenda that I believe the United Kingdom has ever seen. So watch this space on that on that.

“Rather than centralisation, you will see localism restored through this vast centralising entity…

Watch the interview with Cllr Paul Follows straight after the inaugural meeting of the West Surrey Shadow Authority…

Appointments of West Surrey Shadow Authority leadership roles:

Chair: Cllr Penny Rivers (Lib Dem, Godalming North)

Vice Chair: Cllr Masuk Miah (Lib Dem, Guildford North)

Shadow Authority Leader: Cllr Paul Follows (Lib Dem, Godalming South, Milford & Witley)

Shadow Authority Deputy Leader: Cllr Shaun Macdonald (Lib Dem, Lightwater, West End & Bisley)

Shadow Cabinet Executive Members: Cllr Alan Ashbery (Lib Dem, Camberley West & Frimley); Cllr Liz Townsend (Lib Dem, Cranleigh & Ewhurst); Cllr Victoria Kiehl (Lib Dem, Godalming South, Milford & Witley); Cllr Julia McShane (Lib Dem, Guildford West); Cllr Ann-Marie Barker (Lib Dem, Knaphill & Goldsworth West); Cllr Ellen Nicholson (Lib Dem, Woking South East); Cllr Leslie Rice (Lib Dem, Woking South West); Cllr Dale Roberts (Lib Dem, Woking South West).

The meeting was held in Guildford Borough Council’s chamber in Millmead, designed for just 48 councillors, not the 90 of West Surrey Council.

Next steps

The individual responsibilities of the Cabinet Executive Members will be agreed in the coming weeks.

Work will now commence to confirm key governance arrangements including the Constitution of West Surrey Council which explains how the council will operate, makes decisions, and act fairly, transparently and within the law, and schedule its meetings.

Agreement will need to be reached on initial priorities for the transition programme through the Surrey local government Implementation Plan which sets out the approach, plans and timetables for the transition of services to the new West Surrey Council from April 1, 2027 when the Shadow authority will take over.

The new council will replace the current county, borough and district councils in Guildford, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath, Waverley and Woking. Only the boroughs of Runnymede and Spelthorne have no councillors on the Executive

Existing county, district and borough councillors remain responsible for all council services until the handover and the services will continue as normal during the transition period to end of March 2027.

Residents should continue to contact existing county, district or borough council or councillors for enquiries about a day‑to‑day council service. Shadow councillors can respond to questions about the creation of the new councils, but they cannot take on service‑related casework.

Interim statutory officers will support members of the new Shadow Authority, ensuring that decisions are made lawfully and that the new organisation has a robust governance framework in place.

They will ensure that the new council can operate safely and legally up to and beyond day one and function properly from that date. The appointed interim statutory officers may carry out these duties alongside elements of their current jobs.

Recruitment for the permanent Chief Executive will be external and nationwide; this process is expected to begin in early summer with the aim of making appointments by the end of July. Other senior team appointments will follow as soon as practicable, with existing staff being fully and fairly included in the selection process.

The webcast of the meeting can be view here