West Surrey Ten-councillor Council Executive Announced

Published on: 4 Jun, 2026
Updated on: 8 Jun, 2026

Cllr Paul Follows after his election as Lib Dem Group leader with Zöe Franklin MP

By Martin Giles

The Executive Committee appointments of the new West Surrey Shadow Council have been published.

Council leader Paul Follows (Lib Dem, Godalming South, Milford & Witley) said in a short statement: “I am pleased to have appointed and now announce the new Executive (Cabinet) of West Surrey that will work in these areas in shadow form for the next year until West Surrey becomes the full local authority / service providing council in April 2027 and they take full responsibility over these areas.”

The WSSC Executive with membership of other councils also shown. Click on image to enlarge.

The Executive Committee of ten will comprise:

Cllr Paul Follows – Leader

Cllr Shaun Macdonald – Deputy Leader

Cllr Alan Ashbery – Transport, Infrastructure and Regulatory Services

Cllr Ann-Marie Barker – Environment, Place and Economy

Cllr Victoria Kiehl – Governance, Democracy and Corporate Services

Cllr Julia McShane – Housing and Communities

Cllr Ellen Nicholson – Adult Social Care and Health

Cllr Leslie Rice – Finance

Cllr Dale Roberts – Transformation, Digital and Customer Experience

Cllr Liz Townsend – Children, Families and Education

More details of their roles are expected over the next few days.

The Executive has four councillors from Woking, three from Waverley, two from Surrey Heath (although Cllr Ashbery is not a member of Surrey Heath BC) and one from Guildford. Runnymede and Spelthorne boroughs are not represented.

Responding on Paul Follows’ Facebook page, Matthew Atkinson said: “… shutting out the other 34 elected councillors creates a single-party monopoly that isn’t healthy for a brand-new council.

WSC Election 2026 vote share by party

“Those 34 opposition councillors represent thousands of West Surrey voters. Excluding them means those communities have no voice in shaping this new authority.

“In other parts of the UK, the Liberal Democrats have successfully used cross-party alliances and collaborative arrangements to run councils. It is disappointing that West Surrey isn’t starting with that same inclusive mindset.

“The flip side of this exclusive approach is total ownership. By choosing an all-Lib Dem cabinet, you take 100% of the risk.

“When April 2027 arrives, any failures or service drops will sit entirely at your doorstep.”

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