Surrey County Council to get greater power and budget controls as part of a devolution deal

Chief among those is more control over core adult education budgets from April 2026.

In the run up, the Government will work with Surrey to help it get up to speed with its greater responsibility.

The news was greeted by Tim Oliver, Leader, Surrey County Council as a “step in the right direction”, after it was confirmed during the Government’s Wednesday, March 6 budget.

The move also signalled that further devolution between the Government and county could take place in the future, according to a statement issued shortly after the decision was announced.

It said that the Government would continue to work with Surrey on public service reform and infrastructure investment, support inclusive economic growth in towns, cities and rural areas, while at the same time tackle climate change.

Cllr Oliver said: “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.

“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. 

“We look forward to working with the government, and with local partners like district and borough councils, businesses, and education providers, to maximise the opportunities this county deal presents for the benefit of all residents.

“This is a positive step in delivering more power to communities.”

There will be no reform of local government as a result of the deal, nor any move for the county and its 11 boroughs and districts to merge into a single unitary council. “Crucially”, the statement read, it also “does not require there to be a directly elected mayor”.

Funding for free courses for jobs will also be devolved and ring-fenced.

Once implemented, Surrey’s devolution framework agreement will include

• the devolution of the Adult Education Budget and funding for Free Courses for Jobs;
• the integration of Local Enterprise Partnership functions
• new land assembly and compulsory purchase power transferred to the council
• the Council taking on strategic oversight for the delivery of future rounds of UK shared prosperity funding