West Surrey Council debates adding South Middlesex to its name

West Surrey councillors met to discuss a motion from the Liberal Democrat administration to rename the new authority "West Surrey and South Middlesex Council." The proposal, linked to internal party agreements, would add the historic county name despite only the Spelthorne borough having former Middlesex ties.

Conservative and Independent members demanded a public consultation before any change, but the Liberal Democrats voted to proceed without it. The council will serve roughly 700,000 residents across six boroughs—Guildford, Waverley, Woking, Surrey Heath, Runnymede and Spelthorne. Earlier this year Parliament created the separate East Surrey and West Surrey councils, opting for clear geographic titles.

Critics argue the name change is symbolic, lacks resident input, and may set a precedent for adding other local identities to the council's title.