Three Surrey areas will pilot Neighbourhood Area Committees as part of a shift toward unitary councils and more community-driven local governance.
New Governance Pilot to Launch in Surrey This Month
Three areas in Surrey are set to trial a new model of local government called Neighbourhood Area Committees as part of a sweeping reorganisation of the county’s governing structure. The pilot will begin with initial setup meetings this July and is expected to expand across Surrey later this autumn.
Why the Change Is Happening
Surrey is transitioning away from its current two-tier system—comprised of the Surrey County Council and multiple borough and district councils—toward a unitary model. The new model would consolidate local governance into fewer, more streamlined authorities. Although the final number of unitary councils has yet to be decided, proposals have ranged between two and three.
What the Pilot Committees Will Do
The pilot committees will bring together representatives from Surrey County Council, borough and parish councils, Surrey Police, the NHS, and voluntary sector groups. Their focus will be hyper-local: addressing community-specific concerns, identifying priority issues, and serving as a bridge between residents and strategic bodies like the future unitary councils.
Leadership Support and Community Vision
Cllr Tim Oliver OBE, Leader of Surrey County Council, emphasized that the new system aims to strengthen community involvement. “Giving residents a voice, building a proper understanding of what communities need, and harnessing the force of all agencies working together” are central to the vision, Oliver said.
He noted that the new system builds on three years of groundwork led by Surrey’s Public Health team and voluntary sector collaborations under the council’s Towns and Villages initiative.
Community Voices Welcoming the Reform
Community leaders have praised the pilot for promoting inclusive decision-making. Neelam Devesher MBE, Chair of the Community Foundation for Surrey and Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum, called the effort “vital” and said, “These committees are an integral part of the council’s proposals and show a clear emphasis on grassroots engagement.”
She added that the changes offer an opportunity to better align the voluntary and public sectors with the actual needs of communities.
What’s Next for Surrey Residents
Initial pilot areas have not yet been publicly named, but meetings in those zones will shape how future committees are structured. County-wide implementation is expected to follow by autumn.
The government has not confirmed a timeline for the formal transition to unitary councils. However, the pilots signal that change is already underway—and community input will play a critical role in shaping what comes next.
