Cookie preferences
Toggle menu

Have your say on the future of local councils in Surrey

Take part in a landmark Government consultation on proposals to replace Surrey's current councils with up to three larger authorities. We support a three unitary approach - Find out more and read our consultation question guide.

Join us at an online or in-person event where you find out more about Local Government Organisation, ask questions and find out how to have your say. 

Weather warning

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for heavy rain and thunderstorms from Friday 18 July and an amber weather warning on Saturday 19 July. Read our advice during severe weather for more information.  

Essential maintenance to our planning services

There will be disruption to our planning services from Thursday 17 July to Saturday 19 July. This is whilst we carry out some essential maintenance. You will not be able to search or comment on a planning application during this time. We apologise for any inconvenience. 

Find out how your council works

Council responsibilities

We are responsible for council tax and local services such as planning, housing and environmental issues.

The Leader of the Council is responsible for most day-to-day decisions. The Leader can delegate these to:

  • the Executive;
  • committees of the Executive;
  • individual lead councillors on the Executive;
  • individual local ward councillors;
  • officers

The roles and responsibilities for making decisions are set out in the Constitution. Some parts of the Constitution are required by law and some are based on the council's own policies.

View the latest version of the Council Constitution and the supporting documents .

The council's strategy and vision for the next five years is set out in the Corporate Plan.

Councillors and committees

Councillors are elected by residents to decide how the council should carry out its activities.

The political composition of the council is currently:

  • 17 Guildford Liberal Democrats
  • 16 Residents for Guildford and Villages
  • 8 Conservatives
  • 3 Guildford Greenbelt Group
  • 2 Labour
  • 1 Independent Member
  • 1 vacancy

You can view the most recent election results.

For information and to have your say in local issues you can contact your local councillor (opens new window).

Committee meetings

The council's committees meet regularly to make decisions. You can find out when meetings are taking place by viewing our committee calendar (opens new window).

Use the links below to find agendas, reports, minutes and councillor membership of each committee.

Making committee decisions

The committees meet in public and are webcast online. You can find out the dates of the meetings from the committee calendar. (opens new window) You can find out how to take part in these meetings through our Have your say at a council or committee meeting page.

The Executive (opens new window) includes the Leader of the Council and the lead councillors. The Executive has a Forward Plan (opens new window) of decisions to be taken.

Two Executive Advisory Boards comprising of 'backbench' councillors advise the Executive on policy development and some decisions on the Forward Plan.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee can investigate decisions made by the Executive and lead councillors.

You can find a list of recent decisions (opens new window) the Executive have taken.