Ministry creates single commissioner team for Spelthorne and Woking ahead of West Surrey reorganisation

In a written ministerial statement Alison McGovern, Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness, said: “This creates a single, cross‑cutting team that will focus on embedding council improvements and strengthening the grip of the complex challenges that remain as the councils approach West Surrey’s vesting day in April 2027.”

The single commissioner team will be led by Lesley Seary, supported by Barry Scarr, Deborah McLaughlin and Mervyn Greer.

As part of the changes, Sir Tony Redmond and Peter Robinson have stepped down from their commissioner roles at Woking and Spelthorne respectively. Richard Carr will meanwhile transition from his Managing Director Commissioner to Woking’s interim Chief Executive.

Establishment of the single commissioner team comes as the Ministry published the seventh report of the Commissioners at Woking and the second report by the Commissioners at Spelthorne.

In letters to the two councils, McGovern said she recognised the progress both had made under intervention.

“In Woking, significant progress has been made in stabilising the authority, with stronger governance and financial management now embedded and progress underway on the commercial programme. In Spelthorne, the Council has strengthened senior capacity, improved governance and continued to develop its financial and commercial plans.”

But she said both councils continued to face significant financial and commercial challenges.

“In Woking, this includes the scale of unsupported debt and the complexity of the commercial property portfolio and asset disposal programme. The Government is committed to providing £500 million of debt repayment support in 2026–27 as a first tranche of support, and to ensuring maximum value for money in the rationalisation of Woking’s assets, and recognise that this process may continue past vesting day. In Spelthorne, challenges remain around financial sustainability, the commercial portfolio and delivery capacity,” the minister said.

“As you move towards vesting day in April 2027, these issues may transfer into the new West Surrey authority. The central challenge for the next phase is therefore not only on continuing improvement within each Council, but ensuring that these risks are properly understood, managed and safely transitioned in a way that supports the long term sustainability of the new authority.”

McGovern added that the single commissioner model “will strengthen coordination across shared priorities, provide a clearer and more consistent view of system level financial and commercial risk, and support more effective engagement with partners during Surrey’s reorganisation”.

The minister said that the core purpose of the interventions at the two authorities remained unchanged. “Commissioners will continue to support and challenge both Councils in strengthening financial sustainability, improving governance, and managing commercial and asset related risks. I expect your Council to continue cooperating fully with Commissioners and maintaining pace on these priorities.”

She added that, “at the same time, the creation of West Surrey means that Commissioners will need to work in a more joined‑up way with the shadow authority. In this context, their role will be limited to providing advice, challenge and independent assurance on the arrangements being put in place for day one of the new authority, including its financial strategy, management of inherited risks, and governance framework. They will not exercise their statutory powers in relation to the shadow authority or take decision‑making responsibility within it. However, I expect them to engage constructively with its political and officer leadership to support, test and challenge these arrangements.”

The minister revealed that she has also asked the Commissioners to provide an independent view of the financial, commercial and governance challenges that West Surrey may inherit from Woking and Spelthorne.

“Their assessment will inform the Department’s view of whether West Surrey has sufficient grip of those challenges and whether any further supportive arrangements may be needed beyond vesting day,” she said.

The Government intervened in Woking in May 2023. Commenting on the latest report, Lead Commissioner, Sir Tony Redmond, said: “This report demonstrates the substantial progress Woking Borough Council has continued to make in implementing its Improvement and Recovery Plan.

“Governance, financial management and service delivery have all improved significantly, supported by a strong commitment from members and officers across the organisation.

“Whilst challenges remain, particularly in relation to commercial activity and housing, the progress achieved to date means that Woking Borough Council is increasingly well placed for the transition to the new West Surrey Council.”

The Government’s intervention in Spelthorne meanwhile dates back to May 2025 amid concerns at the council’s debt following a series of rash property investments.

Commenting on the Commissioner’s second report, Cllr Greg Neall, Leader of Spelthorne Borough Council, said: "This report recognises that we have made meaningful progress in a relatively short period of time, and I welcome the Commissioners' acknowledgement of the hard work and commitment shown by our officers, members and our new senior officer team.

"We are under no illusion about the scale of the challenge ahead. There is still a great deal to do, and we remain fully committed to delivering the improvements the Commissioners have identified, strengthening the Council's financial position and ensuring we leave a strong legacy for the new West Surrey Council.”