New West Surrey Council Will Be Based in Guildford and Woking

Published on: 7 Oct, 2026
Updated on: 7 Oct, 2026

The council chamber at Millmead where West Surrey full council meetings will continue to be held. But it was designed for just 48 councillors, not the 90 of West Surrey Council.

The new West Surrey Unitary Authority will be based in Guildford and Woking if recommendations are accepted.

Guildford Borough Council’s offices, with its council chamber, in Millmead, has been recommended for the civic headquarters while Woking Borough Council offices and Victoria Gate in Woking have been recommended as the preferred location for the new council’s operational headquarters.

Woking Borough Council offices – one of the two Woking locations in which operational services will be based.

The decision is described as “short-term” by Surrey County Council, implying changes may be made at a later stage. But a decision is needed now, the shadow authority says, for the new council to operate safely and lawfully from Vesting Day.

If approved by the West Surrey Shadow Executive on October 12, the recommendations will, it is intended, help ensure the new council can operate effectively and maintain continuity of services for residents from the day it is established, while providing flexible workspace for staff.

The proposed arrangements would see Millmead in Guildford serve as the Civic Headquarters, hosting full council meetings and associated democratic services functions, including public attendance and participation.

The civic suite was refurbished in 2014, at a cost of approximately £4 million, but was designed for the borough’s 48 councillors not the new authority’s 90.

Woking Borough Council offices and Victoria Gate would operate as a combined Operational Headquarters from April 1, 2027, supporting the day-to-day running of council services and administrative functions.

Continued access to local council services

It is expected that residents will continue to be able to visit existing local council offices in all areas of West Surrey to enquire about council services and seek support. Online and telephone services will also continue to be available, ensuring residents can access information and support in the way that works best for them.

Cllr Paul Follows

Cllr Paul Follows (Lib Dem, Godalming South, Milford & Witley), leader of West Surrey Shadow Council, said: “Creating West Surrey Council is about more than bringing organisations together. It’s about building a council that is connected to its communities, supports its people and is ready to deliver for residents from day one.

“These arrangements provide a stable and practical foundation for the new council, while giving us the flexibility to listen, learn and shape our longer-term plans around the needs of our communities and workforce.

“As West Surrey Council takes shape, residents will continue to access services through existing local offices, as well as online and by telephone, ensuring support remains local, accessible and focused on the people we serve.”

How were the recommendations made?

A range of council owned buildings across West Surrey were assessed against several criteria, including accessibility, transport links, office and council chamber capacity, value for money, IT infrastructure and parking provision.

The assessment identified the locations in Woking and Guildford as best suited to support the council’s civic and democratic functions from April 1 next year.