East Surrey Council is a planned English unitary authority for the local government district of East Surrey.
Background As part of the Starmer ministry local government reform, a goal of "simpler local government structures" was set out by the government, including a commitment to phase out two-tier local government structures. On 28 October 2025, the government announced its decision for two new authorities to replace Surrey County Council and eleven borough and district councils. East Surrey Council replaces Surrey County Council in the east of the county and Elmbridge Borough Council, Epsom and Ewell Borough Council, Mole Valley District Council, Reigate and Banstead Borough Council and Tandridge District Council.
Governance The 2026 East Surrey Council election took place on 7 May 2026. The authority will take over local government responsibilities on 1 April 2027, and will operate as a shadow authority before then.
Control The inaugural election saw the Liberal Democrats win a majority of the seats on the new authority.
Party in control Years 2026-present
Leadership Political leadership is provided by the leader of the council. Steve Wotton of the Liberal Democrats was formally appointed as leader of the shadow authority at its inaugural meeting in Reigate on 20 May 2026. Councillor Party From To Steve Wotton May 2026 See also West Surrey Council
References
External links East Surrey Shadow Authority meetings Surry Local Government Reorganisation Hub