New political map for Surrey County Council

Surrey County Council is set to have new boundaries for its council divisions. 

Proposed divisions for Surrey County Council

Credit: contains Ordnance Survey data (c) Crown copyright and database rights 2024

High resolution map available at https://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/surrey

The Local Government Boundary Commission is the independent body that draws these boundaries. It has reviewed Surrey to make sure councillors will represent about the same number of electors, and that division arrangements will help the council work effectively.

The Commission has published final recommendations for changes in Surrey. It says residents should be represented by 81 councillors. This is no change from the current arrangements.

There will be 81 one-councillor divisions. Most divisions are changing, 24 are staying the same.

Publishing the recommendations Professor Colin Mellors, Chair of the Commission, said:

“We are very grateful to people in Surrey. We looked at all the views they gave us. They helped us improve our earlier proposals. 

We believe the new arrangements will deliver electoral fairness while maintaining local ties.” 

Over 900 comments were made by people and organisations to help decide the new divisions. Changes in response to what local people said include:

• Reverting to a single member pattern of divisions in Elmbridge, in response to evidence that a 2-member division would not help the council operate effectively.

• Altering the divisions in rural areas of Guildford, in response to fresh evidence on the community identity of these areas.

   

The Commission has made further changes to its earlier proposals. Details can be found on its website at https://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/surrey.

The changes become law once Parliament has approved them. Staff at the council will ensure that the arrangements are in place for the 2025 elections.

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Notes to editors: 

For further information contact the Commission’s press office on 0330 500 1525 / 1250 or email press@lgbce.org.uk 

An interactive map is available at https://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/surrey

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England is an independent body accountable to Parliament. It recommends fair electoral and boundary arrangements for local authorities in England. In doing so, it aims to:

• Make sure that, within an authority, each councillor represents a similar number of electors

• Create boundaries that are appropriate, and reflect community ties and identities

• Deliver reviews informed by local needs, views and circumstances

• Reflect the request for single-member divisions