Surrey and West Sussex boundary changes could still be achieved despite the government’s rejection of an initial proposal for a new cross-border unitary authority.
The leaders of Crawley BC and Reigate & Banstead BC proposed forming a unitary, changing the borders of Surrey and West Sussex to remove the hard administrative boundary that cuts across the heart of the Gatwick Diamond.
Together the areas form a £13bn-plus economy – the largest economy in the sub-region and cojoined by the world’s busiest single-runway airport in Gatwick – and leaders believe the plan would maximise the future economic growth potential of our area.
But, as reported by LGC yesterday, the bid will not be put forward as part of the local government reorganisation consultation in Surrey.
However, the minister has said he is open to ways to ensure that Gatwick is not split across two new mayoral combined authorites once these are created.
In a letter explaining why the initial submission was rejected, local government minister Jim McMahon says: “If, in the future, there remains an interest in changing the boundary between Surrey and West Sussex, there are other mechanisms for doing so and this process does not prevent that.
“I also note your desire for the Gatwick Diamond economic area to be within the area of one strategic authority so as to best provide for economic growth.
“I want to make clear that the decision not to include your proposal in the consultation does not pre-empt devolution options for the wider area, including establishing or expanding a strategic authority that includes all councils making up the Gatwick Diamond.
“Again, while I cannot pre-empt this, I encourage councils in Surrey to continue to engage with their neighbours as they consider options in the short and medium term to secure devolution and the advantages it brings.”
West Sussex is already on a path to create a strategic authority with East Sussex CC and Brighton City Council.
In response to the letter, a spokesperson for Crawley BC said: “We remain committed to working with our colleagues across West Sussex to develop other options ahead of engaging with residents and stakeholders this summer.
“We will also continue to work with Reigate & Banstead and others to find other avenues to restate the economic and public service reform arguments that were at the heart of our proposal. Quite simply these have not received the proper consideration they deserved.
“We remain committed to providing the very best public services for Crawley and will continue to deliver these for our residents.”
Surrey and West Sussex boundary changes could still be achieved despite the government’s rejection of an initial proposal for a new cross-border unitary authority.
The leaders of Crawley BC and Reigate & Banstead BC proposed forming a unitary, changing the borders of Surrey and West Sussex to remove the hard administrative boundary that cuts across the heart of the Gatwick Diamond.
Together the areas form a £13bn-plus economy – the largest economy in the sub-region and cojoined by the world’s busiest single-runway airport in Gatwick – and leaders believe the plan would maximise the future economic growth potential of our area.
But, as reported by LGC yesterday, the bid will not be put forward as part of the local government reorganisation consultation in Surrey.
However, the minister has said he is open to ways to ensure that Gatwick is not split across two new mayoral combined authorites once these are created.
In a letter explaining why the initial submission was rejected, local government minister Jim McMahon says: “If, in the future, there remains an interest in changing the boundary between Surrey and West Sussex, there are other mechanisms for doing so and this process does not prevent that.
“I also note your desire for the Gatwick Diamond economic area to be within the area of one strategic authority so as to best provide for economic growth.
“I want to make clear that the decision not to include your proposal in the consultation does not pre-empt devolution options for the wider area, including establishing or expanding a strategic authority that includes all councils making up the Gatwick Diamond.
“Again, while I cannot pre-empt this, I encourage councils in Surrey to continue to engage with their neighbours as they consider options in the short and medium term to secure devolution and the advantages it brings.”
West Sussex is already on a path to create a strategic authority with East Sussex CC and Brighton City Council.
In response to the letter, a spokesperson for Crawley BC said: “We remain committed to working with our colleagues across West Sussex to develop other options ahead of engaging with residents and stakeholders this summer.
“We will also continue to work with Reigate & Banstead and others to find other avenues to restate the economic and public service reform arguments that were at the heart of our proposal. Quite simply these have not received the proper consideration they deserved.
“We remain committed to providing the very best public services for Crawley and will continue to deliver these for our residents.”
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