Chancellor confirms devolution deal for council

A devolution deal for Surrey County Council has been announced by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt

A devolution deal for Surrey has been announced by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt.

As a result, Surrey County Council will be given more decision-making powers over transport, adult education and support for businesses.

Council leader Tim Oliver said the deal would enable the authority to make “positive change” in Surrey. 

The announcement was made by Mr Hunt in his budget on Wednesday.

The council has been working with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) to agree the details of the deal since it was first announced by Mr Hunt, who is the MP for South West Surrey, in his autumn statement last November.

'Positive step'

Once implemented, the agreement will see new land assembly and compulsory purchase power transferred to the council and the government to continue to work with Surrey on areas of public service reform and infrastructure investment.

It also signals an intention for further devolution from central government to Surrey, with the county able to deepen their devolution arrangements over time, subject to government agreement, the council said.

Mr Oliver said it was a “positive step in delivering more power to communities”.

“I have always been clear in my determination that the residents of Surrey will not be left behind, and this devolution deal with government is a step in the right direction in helping us achieve that ambition,” he said.

“Local government and our local communities are best placed to deliver what Surrey needs. I’m pleased that the government is recognising that, with hopefully further devolved powers to local government in due course. 

“More control over things like local growth, skills and careers for our young people, lifelong learning provision, the climate agenda, local public transport, and housing, will enable the county council, and partners, to make positive change in Surrey.”

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