Devolution in Surrey and how this may (or may not) affect the Parish Council

The UK government’s recent devolution proposals aim to restructure local governance in England by replacing the existing two-tier system of county and district councils with larger unitary authorities, each serving populations of at least 500,000 residents.

In Surrey, this means that the current county council and its 11 district and borough councils, including Tandridge District Council, are slated for abolition and consolidation into one or more unitary authorities – the most likely scenario is believed to be two unitary authorities.

Parish councils, such as those in Surrey and the 22 within Tandridge District, are the most local tier of government, responsible for community-specific issues. Under the proposed reorganisation, these parish councils are expected to remain intact, continuing to serve their local communities. The devolution plans primarily target the elimination of the intermediate district and county councils to streamline governance and improve service delivery.

However, the transition to unitary authorities may indirectly impact parish councils. With the removal of district councils, some responsibilities and services previously managed at that level could be devolved to parish councils, potentially expanding their roles and influence. The exact nature of these changes will depend on the specific arrangements made during the reorganisation process.

It’s important to note that local elections scheduled for 1 May 2025 have been postponed allowing for the detailed work required for reorganisation and devolution. This postponement affects county and district council elections but does not directly impact parish council elections. Limpsfield’s parish elections are not due until May 2027.

In summary, while the proposed devolution and local government reorganisation in Surrey will lead to significant changes at the county and district levels, parish councils in Surrey and Tandridge District are expected to continue operating, potentially with adjusted roles depending on the outcomes of the reorganisation.

What does devolution mean for parish councils?

With devolution and the restructuring of local government, parish councils in Surrey and Tandridge District could see changes in their roles and responsibilities. While they will remain the lowest tier of local government, their influence and workload may increase as some functions previously handled by district councils shift to them. Here are some possible ways their roles might evolve:

1. Increased Responsibilities

Local Service Delivery: Parish councils may take on more responsibilities in areas such as parks, street cleaning, public toilets, and minor road maintenance as well as overseeing local events.
Planning & Development: They might gain more influence over local planning decisions, particularly regarding smaller developments, conservation areas and neighbourhood plans.
Community Support Services: More involvement in running or supporting libraries, youth services, and social care at a local level.

2. Greater Budget Control

Precept Increases: To fund additional responsibilities, parish councils may need to increase their parish precept (the portion of council tax allocated to parish councils).
Access to Devolved Funding: They may receive direct grants or funding streams from the new unitary authority to manage specific projects or services.

3. Closer Engagement with Unitary Authorities

Consultation Role: With the district councils gone, parish councils may become more important in representing local concerns to the larger unitary authority.
Local Area Partnerships: They might form alliances with neighbouring parishes to manage services collectively (in our case, Oxted Parish Council is our most likely collaboration). Collaborating with neighbouring parish councils could become more common, allowing for shared resources and joint initiatives.

4. More Administrative Responsibilities

Staffing & Governance: Some parish councils, especially those in larger villages or towns, may need additional staff to manage their increased responsibilities.
Compliance & Transparency: As their role expands, ensuring robust governance structures will be essential, particularly if parish councils take on more complex functions. Limpsfield Parish Council has excellent structures in place and undertakes a robust annual internal audit, carried out by Mulberry & Co, as well as external audit carried out by PKF Littlejohn.

5. Risk of Overload

Some smaller parish councils, run largely by volunteers, may struggle to take on more responsibilities. The government may need to provide additional training, support, or funding to ensure they can manage new duties effectively.

It’s important to note that while these potential changes aim to bring decision-making closer to local communities, the exact nature and extent of the new responsibilities for parish councils will depend on the final structure and agreements established during the reorganisation process. Ongoing discussions among Surrey’s local authorities are expected to provide more clarity in the coming months.

For a more detailed understanding of the current developments in Surrey’s local government reorganisation and its implications, you might find the following video informative: