Locals in Surrey are furious at the news that the county will be split into two, creating a ‘posh and poor’ divide.
They believe it would only increase apparent unfairness and a social divide in the county, which would make their lives harder.
The authority, founded in 1889, will be divided into East Surrey and West Surrey and the 11 district councils in the area will be abolished under Angela Rayner‘s proposals to shake up local government.
On the one side will be Spelthorne – the district containing Ali G’s famed hometown Staines and suffering below-average employment figures.
On the other will be well-to-do Reigate, which will join other areas such as Elmbridge, Tandridge and the Mole Valley to make up East Surrey.
Spelthorne residents are up in arms that the district would now come under West Surrey, alongside Woking and Runnymede.
Spelthorne suffered years of ridicule since comic Sacha Baron Cohen decided to make it the home of the character creation. In 2012, it changed its name to the more upmarket Staines-upon-Thames.
Statistics show Spelthorne’s employment rate was lower than across the South East as a whole in the year ending December 2023.
Spelthorne includes the market town of Staines. Once made famous for being the home of the character Ali G, Spelthorne will now come under West Surrey, alongside Woking and Runnymede
Meanwhile, the more affluent Reigate (pictured), considered the most upmarket part of the county, will join other areas such as Elmbridge, Tandridge and the Mole Valley to make up East Surrey
Of people aged 16 to 64 years living in Spelthorne, 74.3 per cent were employed in the year ending December 2023. This is a decrease compared with the year ending December 2022 when the local rate was 79.9 per cent.
Across the South East in the year ending December 2023, 79.3 per cent of people aged 16 to 64 years were employed. This was higher compared with the previous year, when 78.1 per cent of people were employed.
The average house price for Spelthorne was £450,000 in August 2025, an increase from £439,000 in the previous year.
In contrast, the average house price for Surrey is much higher at £587,000.
According to Rightmove, average house prices in Reigate reached an overall average of £656,141 over the last year.
Meanwhile, detached properties in the town, which is located on the main trainline to London and is popular with commuters, went for as much as £1,156,638.
All figures place the whole area well above the average house price for Britain as a whole, which is £296,000, according to the UK House Price Index.
Spelthorne’s borough council, which soon will cease to exist under the new format, is controlled by councillors from the Independent Spelthorne Group, Liberal Democrats, Labour, and Green Party.
Other areas in Surrey are also controlled by the Liberal Democrats.
Staines-upon-Thames is served by a relatively busy high street, which includes a market. There are independent shops and the usual high street choices like Caffé Nero and pubs, restaurants and charity shops.
However, a number of units are empty on the main high street.
Margaret Davison, 74, who has lived in Ashford all her life, said: ‘It feels like a waste of time to me. Why not focus on the issues we have at the moment like the need for more affordable housing for hardworking families. Or the huge wait at doctors surgeries or how the transport network needs improvement.
‘I cannot see the benefits. Spelthorne is absolutely fine. It’s safe and there’s jobs but I do feel like there’s some inequality in the county of Surrey.
‘I’m trying not to sound negative, things could be a lot worse. But I fear this will just make us the poorer relation. Larger councils mean less of a personal touch. feel quite well connected to my council. When I have had pothole issues, I have reported them and they repair them. Why change it?
‘I fear it is some sort of plan to get more Labour voters. Especially if it was Labour’s idea. This area is in a bit of a mess politically, everyone seems like they’re in charge.’
Staines locals were also unhappy with the idea.
John Stevens, 74 and his wife, Trish, 70, both disagreed.
John Stevens, 74 and his wife, Trish, 70, both disagreed saying it ‘feels like a wasted chance to actually make a difference’
Staines-upon-Thames is served by a relatively busy high street, which includes a market
There are also independent shops and the usual high street choices like Caffe Nero and pubs, restaurants and charity shops
John said: ‘It seems like it’s just rearranging furniture. Nobody has actually communicated the wider benefits or what is the point of it all.
‘It feels like a wasted chance to actually make a difference. I don’t really believe this idea of a divide. But I suppose this could create one.
‘I can’t grumble about living here, it’s pleasant.’
Trish added: ‘We’ve never had any problems.’
Builder Mark Guthrie, 56, said he feared becoming a ‘poor relation’.
He said: ‘I’d like to study the evidence that a larger council rather than a series of smaller ones is a good idea. Surely the issues we face here in Staines are going to be very different to other parts. Surely a wider area of ground to cover is harder?
‘I fear here on the east we will become a poor relation. It’s a pleasant place to live. If you move to Staines thinking it’s Monte Carlo then you need your head testing. But on the whole it’s got everything I need and all my family live here.’
David Hinton, 68, said he also enjoyed living in the area.
He said: ‘There’s always improvements that could be made but I feel lucky to live here really.’
David Hinton, 68, said he also enjoyed living in the area but admitted that there are ‘always improvements that could be made’
Reigate, the historic market town where average household incomes reached up to £47,500 in 2023, will become part of the ‘mega council’ of East Surrey.
Jack Bell, 22, from nearby Banstead, questioned why Reigate should become part of a bigger local authority when the town is seemingly doing better than other areas.
He said: ‘Reigate is a really nice town. I think it is one of the nicest towns left in the area.
‘The councils don’t seem to be doing a very good job in other areas of Surrey. There is one borough which is in a lot of debt.
‘I don’t understand why we would want to go and join the others.’
Meanwhile, Sarah who moved to Reigate from Croydon four years ago, raised concerns that the changes would see her council tax increase.
She said: ‘My main concern is that we will take on other councils’ debt.
‘I fear there may be council tax hikes as a result and that would be really frustrating for me.
‘I hope the changes do not impact the good work that they already do here in Reigate and Banstead.’
The government confirmed this week that as part of the deal, the Treasury would cover the majority of Woking’s debt, which was effectively declared bankrupt two years ago.
Reigate, the historic market town where average household incomes reached up to £47,500 in 2023, will become part of the ‘mega council’ of East Surrey
Jack Bell, 22, from nearby Banstead, questioned why Reigate should become part of a bigger local authority when the town is seemingly doing better than other areas
A recent analysis found that Woking’s debt pile, at more than £2billion, was equivalent to more than £20,000 per person.
Speaking of what it is like to live in the area, Sarah, who did not want to share her surname, added: ‘Reigate is a really safe town, it is lovely around here.
‘I have been here nearly four years and I love it. I came from Croydon so moving from there to here is a massive step. The high street is normally absolutely rammed.’
Concerns about increased council tax were reiterated by the Conservative leader of Reigate and Banstead council, Richard Biggs who blasted Rayner’s plans as ‘absolutely unfair’.
‘Why should our residents suffer when we have been sensible and cautious?,’ he said in comments last month when the plans were still being finalised.
Reigate and Banstead Council has been under Conservative control since 2000 and the market town is represented by a Tory member of parliament.
Local elections for the new local authority of East Surrey will be held next May and the council will become operational in 2027.
Residents and business owners, however, have raised concerns that the restructure will make councillors even more distant from their local communities.
Emilia Hunt, who owns an independent homeware store in Reigate town centre, said she fears she will get less from her council as a result of the changes.
She said: ‘The proposals for the council seem like a money thing, but I feel like I will get less from my council because of it.
‘Reigate and Banstead Council have been brilliant for me as a small business. I have got several grants from them over the years.
‘It will be less personal [going forwards], there are people at the council that I know personally but that won’t be the case anymore.
‘It is not a corporate council [Reigate], it is not about money, it is about helping people, which in turn makes the town grow.
‘Instead of stripping the money back and letting people fail and the town fail, they have actively encouraged businesses.’
Emilia Hunt, who owns an independent homeware store in Reigate town centre, said she fears she will get less from her council as a result of the changes
According to Rightmove, average house prices in Reigate reached an overall average of £656,141 over the last year
Pictured: A general view of shops in the affluent town of Reigate
Speaking of the proposed new council areas, Ms Hunt said: ‘I’ve seen the map of Surrey being divided into two and it just looks a bit severe.
‘It doesn’t feel me with utter dread and it doesn’t fill me with joy either.’
The owner of clothes store, Tortanini, described Reigate as an ‘affulent town’ with not much crime.
He said: ‘It is a great town, it is very friendly. It is a nice town to live in.
‘The business is steady and it is quite an affluent town, which is great. There is not much crime.
‘I think the changes are all about the cost. We do not know what the impact will be until it becomes more official.’
Meanwhile, David Hoare, the owner of Attic, an independent shop in Reigate town centre, said: ‘Reigate is an affluent market town but it is becoming quieter.
‘All the shopkeepers are saying there are less customers than there has been for a while.
‘Obviously there are online sales. I think parking costs are putting people off. Reigate is suffering a little bit.
‘I can’t say whether the new proposals would create a divide in Surrey,’ he added.
‘But I do think reducing the number of councils would be a problem. It would be less personal.’
