Liberal Democrats Forming Administration at New Shadow West Surrey Council
The Liberal Democrats have secured a resounding victory in the first ever elections to the new West Surrey Council, winning 56 of the 90 seats and taking clear overall control of the new authority.
The result marks a historic moment for local government in Surrey and reflects growing public support for Liberal Democrat leadership across our communities.
The new West Surrey Council will bring together the areas currently covered by Guildford, Waverley, Woking, Surrey Heath, Runnymede and Spelthorne, alongside the transfer of county council responsibilities from Surrey County Council.
A New Council for a New Era
Although the elections have now taken place, West Surrey Council will initially operate as a “shadow authority” until April 2027.
During this shadow year, councillors will oversee the transition from the current two-tier system of borough, district and county councils into a single unitary authority responsible for all major local government services.
This includes:
- Adult social care
- Children’s services
- Highways and transport
- Waste and recycling
- Housing and homelessness
- Planning and infrastructure
- Libraries and community services
- Public health and environmental services
Existing councils, including Waverley Borough Council and Surrey County Council, will continue delivering day-to-day services during the transition period while the new authority prepares to formally assume powers in April 2027.
The shadow authority will now focus on creating the governance structures, budgets and service arrangements needed to ensure the new council launches successfully and delivers strong local services from day one.
Liberal Democrats Leading the Transition
At the inaugural meeting of the West Surrey Shadow Authority took place on 21 May Agenda for West Surrey Shadow Authority on Thursday, 21st May, 2026, 2.00 pm - Guildford Borough Council, Liberal Democrat councillors elected:
- Councillor Paul Follows as Leader of West Surrey Shadow Council
- Councillor Shaun Macdonald as Deputy Leader
The following councillors were also appointed as Shadow Cabinet Executive Members:
- Cllr Alan Ashbery
- Cllr Liz Townsend
- Cllr Victoria Kiehl
- Cllr Julia McShane
- Cllr Ann-Marie Barker
- Cllr Shaun MacDonald
- Cllr Ellen Nicholson
- Cllr Leslie Rice
- Cllr Dale Roberts
Individual portfolio responsibilities are expected to be confirmed in the coming week.
Delivering Strong Local Leadership
The Liberal Democrat victory demonstrates the trust residents have placed in local Liberal Democrat teams to deliver competent, community-focused and financially responsible leadership.
Across West Surrey, Liberal Democrats campaigned on protecting local services, improving accountability, strengthening communities and ensuring the new council remains rooted in local priorities.
The scale of the result also reflects years of hard work by Liberal Democrat councillors and campaigners across Surrey, including in Waverley, where Liberal Democrats have consistently championed transparency, environmental protection, better public services and stronger support for residents.
As the transition work now begins in earnest, Liberal Democrats will be focused on ensuring the new authority can be financially sustainable, locally accountable and able to deliver high-quality services residents can rely on.
Looking Ahead
The creation of West Surrey Council represents the biggest change to local government in Surrey for more than 50 years.
Over the next year, the Shadow Authority will oversee the complex work of bringing together services, staff and systems from multiple councils into one organisation.
Liberal Democrats have pledged to ensure that local voices remain central to decision-making throughout the process and that communities such as Cranleigh, Godalming, Farnham and Haslemere continue to have strong representation within the new council structure.