Overview

We want West Surrey to be a place where people thrive, communities flourish, opportunity is shared, and residents can trust their council to deliver.

The vision and priorities for the future West Surrey Council are still being developed, and we want them to reflect what matters most to you, our residents.

Through this survey, we want to understand the:

• key issues in your local area

• changes you would like to see across West Surrey

• what you think the new council should prioritise

We are engaging with residents, businesses, community groups and other stakeholders to understand their priorities and ambitions for West Surrey.

Your views will help shape West Surrey Council priorities and plans for the future.

Ambitions

In the survey we will ask your views on the draft ambitions for the new West Surrey Councils which are split into four themes:

• A supportive West Surrey, where people can build good lives, feel safe and access the homes, opportunities and support they need.

• A thriving and sustainable West Surrey, with strong communities, attractive and well-connected places and a healthier natural environment.

• A prosperous West Surrey, where businesses and ideas can succeed, good jobs and opportunities are within reach, and everyone has a fair chance to share in West Surrey’s success.

• A trusted and well-run council, which listens, keeps its promises, spends residents’ money wisely and works with others to get the best for West Surrey.

Financial Challenges

West Surrey Council will face significant financial challenges from day one. Alongside uncertainty over future local government funding and growing demand for services, the council will inherit debt and financial commitments from predecessor authorities.

Whilst some historic debt will be managed separately from day-to-day service delivery, financial pressures will remain. This means the council will need to make careful decisions about how resources are used, focusing investment where it can have the greatest impact for residents whilst maintaining long-term financial sustainability.

Privacy statement

Any personal information you choose to provide will be kept confidential and used in accordance with our privacy notice.

Accessibility

You can find our accessibility statement here. If you require the survey in a different format, language or in hard copy, please contact:

Telephone: 03456 009 009
Textphone (via Text Relay): 18001 03456 009 009
SMS: 07860 053 465
British Sign Language (BSL): www.surreycc.gov.uk/bsl 
Any further questions? Contact us - Surrey LGR Hub

Return of Surveys

Hard copy surveys can be picked up and dropped back at all Surrey libraries - Find your nearest library

Or mailed directly back to:

FOA West Surrey Survey c/o Corporate Strategy Team
Guildford Borough Council
Millmead House
Millmead
Guildford
GU2 4BB

Have your say

Please give us your feedback using the link below. Your feedback will help us to shape services that are fair, and better in line with current and future needs, whilst also remaining affordable and delivering good value for money with the available budget.

This survey is open from Monday 19 October 2026 and will close on Sunday 15 November 2026 at 11:59pm.

What's next?

Your answers will help us understand what people living across all parts of West Surrey need, and what matters most to them as the Shadow Authority develops its priorities and plan for 2027-2030.

We will use the survey findings to help develop the new strategy for West Surrey Council. The findings may also be used to inform other decisions by the new Council as they develop plans to deliver the strategy.