Surrey has a two-tier system of local government. Surrey County Council is responsible for the more strategic functions and services including education, social care, roads and highways, and libraries.
We also have eleven district and borough councils which provide local services such as waste and recycling services, housing - including providing housing for people facing homelessness, town planning, collection of council tax, environmental health, leisure facilities, licencing, and parking. Some functions are shared between county and district councils.
County Council's Responsibilities
- Birth, marriage and death registration
- Education
- Fire
- Highways, traffic management, and street lighting
- On street car parking
- Libraries
- Recreation, arts and museums
- Social care (Adults and Childrens)
- Trading standards
- Transport
- Waste disposal
District and Borough Council's Responsibilities
- Collection of council tax and non-domestic rates
- Environmental health
- Housing
- Leisure centres
- Local plans and planning applications
- Public conveniences
- Waste collection
- Planning
- Building control
- Refuse collection
- Recycling collection
- Elections
- Council Tax support
- Parks, allotments, cemeteries
- Managing antisocial behaviour
- Elections
- Social housing
- Licensing
- Dealing with flytipping
- Garden waste collection
- Car parks
Parish and Town Council Responsibilities
There are a number of parish and town councils within Surrey. These have different responsibilities and operate at a level below district and borough councils.