The Missing Combined Authority for Surrey

he focus on local Government Re-organisation has been on the development of the west Surry and East Surrey councils for which elections have just been conducted. See More

The new s on the creation of a Combined Authority to to replace a number of Strategic functions related to Surrey county council e.g. Transport, Economic Development has been less clear.

Overview of Combined Authorities

Combined authorities in England provide a  framework for regional collaboration, with powers tailored to local needs through devolution deals. Mayoral combined authorities centralise executive power in a metro mayor, while non-mayoral authorities rely on collective decision-making. Combined County Authorities extend this model to rural areas, focusing on strategic transport, economic development, and regeneration, with governance designed to prevent blockages between county and district councils 

A combined authority (CA) is a legal body formed by two or more local councils to collaborate on strategic decisions across council boundaries, enabling them to access devolved powers and resources from central government  There are currently 17 combined authorities, including the newer Combined County Authorities (CCAs) designed for more rural areas .

Types of Combined Authorities

1. Mayoral Combined Authorities (MCAs)

This was the type proposed for Surrey which would elect a Mayor of Surrey under the original proposals within 2-3 years of the formation of West and East Surry Councils.

• Feature a directly elected metro mayor who provides a single point of accountability 
• Mayors have an effective veto over most decisions, requiring their approval for policy or spending plans.
• Powers are negotiated through bespoke devolution deals, which can include:
  • Local transport planning and funding
  • Economic development and business support
  • Housing and land use planning
  • Skills and further education
  • Health and social care integration (In some cases)

The Health power is worth noting as Manchester is the forerunner of this and maybe if Andy Burnham Mayor of Manchester is successful in becoming a member of the national government this may be promoted more widely.

The powers in Manchester are extensive and can be seen in summary here.

 Decisions are made alongside a cabinet of local authority leaders, often requiring majority or unanimous approval for key policies 

2. Non-Mayoral Combined Authorities

• Operate without a directly elected mayor, with decisions made collectively by council leaders.
• Powers are generally similar to mayoral authorities but lack the centralised executive authority of a mayor.
• Example: North East Combined Authority, which coordinates transport and economic development without a mayor 

3. Combined County Authorities (CCAs)

• Introduced by the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023, CCAs are designed for rural or county-wide areas 
• Composed only of upper-tier councils (county councils or unitary authorities), excluding district or borough councils as constituent members.
• Voting members are appointed by constituent councils, while non-constituent and associate members may be non-voting unless resolved otherwise.

Powers focus on strategic transport, economic development, and regeneration, similar to urban CAs, but tailored to rural governance needs 

Powers and Functions

The powers of combined authorities are devolved from central government and can vary by area, but typically include:

• Transport: Control over local transport budgets, bus franchising, and strategic transport planning 
• Economic Development: Business support, investment strategies, and regional growth initiatives 
• Housing and Planning: Land use planning, housing delivery strategies, and regeneration projects 
• Skills and Education: Oversight of further education funding and skills development programs 
• Health and Social Care: In some areas, integration of health and social care services to improve local outcomes 
• Special Powers: Certain authorities, like Greater Manchester, have additional powers over policing, fire services, and health budgets .

Decision-Making and Governance

• Mayoral authorities: The mayor can veto decisions, while council leaders can block proposals with a two-thirds majority or require unanimous approval for major policies .
• Non-mayoral authorities: Decisions are made collectively by council leaders, with no single executive veto.
• CCAs: Constituent councils appoint voting members, while non-constituent and associate members may participate in discussions but typically do not vote unless resolved otherwise