A bid to become a unitary authority by Surrey County Council was “premature and costly.”

That’s according to the council’s Lib Dems after the Government decided not to pursue a devolution while paper. 

Plans were afoot to abolish Surrey’s 11 borough and district councils and create one authority serving 1.2 million people.

The cost of the bid has been revealed at almost £250,000 with the costs of promotional leaflets exceeding £40,000.