Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what is the timetable for the creation of a strategic authority for Surrey, and whether it will have an elected mayor.

On 12 February, the government wrote to all local authorities – including in Surrey – that do not currently have a devolution agreement inviting them to come forward with proposals for a non-mayoral, Foundation Strategic Authority across a sensible geography. Delivering this over the Surrey footprint to an April 2027 timetable would ensure that functions such as transport and adult skills continue to be delivered on a Surrey footprint.

We are now reviewing responses. We see Foundation Strategic Authorities as a crucial way to build local capacity and partnerships, as a stepping stone towards mayoral devolution in the future.