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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the new councils of (a) West Surrey and (b) East Surrey will be given Borough status.

Borough status is purely honorific and has no impact on the functions or responsibilities of local authorities. It can only be conferred on district councils by His Majesty The King.

Existing borough status held by current councils in Surrey may continue to be preserved through arrangements such as Charter Trustees, pending any new Charter arrangements. If the new West Surrey and East Surrey councils wish to pursue Borough status for the whole area, then a new charter must be granted. The councils must resolve to present a petition for a Royal Charter and this resolution must be supported by not less than a two-thirds majority of members voting at a meeting specifically convened for that purpose. If a petition is presented, it is then considered by the Privy Council.