In episode 14 of The Best is Surrey Podcast, Paul Deach & Marisa Heath discuss Local Government Reorganisation in Surrey. Some of the items they discuss include:
- Local Government Reorganisation: Surrey County Council will transition from a two-tier system (County Council and 11 Boroughs and Districts) to a unitary structure with either two or three local authorities.
- Devolution: Surrey will likely gain more autonomy and potentially have an elected mayor, similar to Manchester.
- Challenges and Opportunities: The reorganisation presents both challenges and opportunities, including potential service disruptions and the need to maintain a focus on business as usual.
- Staffing: The transition may have created some uncertainty for council staff, but there will still be a need for skilled employees to deliver services.
- Political Climate: The reorganisation is taking place in a politically charged environment, with the potential for increased tensions, election political misinformation and disagreements.
- Resident Involvement: Residents are encouraged to get involved and share their ideas and concerns about the reorganisation.
Additional points discussed:
- The importance of maintaining frontline services during the transition.
- The need for transparency, clarity and honesty from councillors.
- The potential impact of the reorganisation on local democracy.
- The challenges of local government finance.