It’s due to government plans to roll out devolution and reorganise local government by simplifying and streamlining.

Elections in East and West Sussex, Essex, Thurrock, Hampshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Surrey, and the Isle of Wight will take place in May 2026.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner’s set out the plans in the Commons.

Tim Oliver, Leader of Surrey County Council, said: “Now we’ve received confirmation that Surrey is in the first wave of local government reorganisation and devolution priority programme, we will develop a business case for reorganisation and submit a draft to government in March.

“Arrangements will also be made to postpone local elections in May so the detailed work for reorganisation and devolution can take place. The resource and time that would have been spent on elections for a soon-to-be-abolished council can now be directed to working on the best possible outcome of reorganisation for Surrey.

“I can be absolutely clear that, throughout this process, our vital work supporting residents will continue – services will be delivered and we will still be here for those who need us most – until whatever new council is fully established to take on that delivery.

“I have always been a firm believer that further devolution from Westminster to local regions and communities would be in the best interest of Surrey residents and businesses.

“Of course, any proposal will now need to be worked up in collaboration with local government and other partners across the county so that together we can really grasp this opportunity to deliver something meaningful for the future of Surrey. We’ll keep residents and staff updated every step of the way.”

Councillor Stephen Cooksey, Leader of Mole Valley District Council, said: “We have just received the announcement that central government has decided to follow Surrey County Council’s (SCC) request to fast-track the local government reorganisation in Surrey. Consequently, the SCC elections planned for May this year have been cancelled.

“In January this year, I, along with all leaders from district and borough councils in Surrey, expressed our concerns about these proposals and timelines in a joint statement. We believe that the proposed changes require broader consultation with residents, stakeholders, and businesses across the county.

“I am very disappointed with the government’s decision to proceed with this proposal. It feels like a dark day for local democracy. While I fully support the move towards increasing local government efficiency, cost-saving, and enhancing powers at the local level, I believe this decision is rushed and imposed upon us.

“Regardless of this, now that the decision has been made, I want to assure our residents and businesses that we will continue working with SCC and other partners to ensure that future proposals for the formation of the new unitary authority or authorities will be developed with their best interests in mind.”

Cllr Richard Biggs, Leader of Reigate & Banstead Borough Council and speaking on behalf of all the group leaders said, “The ambitions for devolution and reorganisation set out in the Government’s White Paper will see the biggest shake up of local government for fifty years. Decisions that are taken over the coming months will impact our long-term future and those of future generations.

“Whilst we accept that unitary and mayoral strategic authorities are the way local government will be organised, across the political spectrum we have concerns about the timeline in Surrey given the great deal of uncertainty about how local authority debt will be managed.

“With our residents’ support, we’ve worked incredibly hard to ensure Reigate & Banstead Borough Council has no debt and that we provide many services over and above statutory requirements, such as working with the NHS on preventative services, provision of community centres and building our own social housing.

“Our view remains that plans should not support any restructuring of local government boundaries based on ‘redistributing’ the debt of other authorities.

“However, in light of the minister’s decision, we will move together at pace to do this in a way that best serves our residents and encourages our local communities to continue to thrive. Our priority throughout this process will be to get the best possible outcome for residents and business in our borough.”