Surrey could be split in half as part of a major shake-up into how council services are run.

Waverley Borough Council could be merged with its Guildford and Woking counterparts to create a West Surrey Council under plans unveiled by Downing Street to reshape local government.

Spelthorne, Runnymede, Surrey Heath and Elmbridge would also join the new authority in a “devolution plan” with the proposals being outlined in a white paper.

The government wants to do away with two-tier systems of boroughs and counties and instead create single unitary councils, creating more cost-effective authorities and shifting power away from Westminster.

That could mean the abolition of Surrey’s 11 boroughs and districts and replacing them with two councils.

Both would be answerable to a directly elected mayor that oversees county-side issues which could include policing, fire and rescue and transport.

The English Devolution White Paper says new unitary councils “must be the right size to achieve efficiencies, improve capacity and withstand financial shocks.”

It adds: “Unitary councils can lead to better outcomes for residents, save significant money which can be reinvested in public services, and improve accountability with fewer politicians who are more able to focus on delivering for residents.”

Some 1.2million live in Surrey and a single “mega-council” stretching from Farnham to Oxted, an area larger than Greater London, is considered too vast.

So the creation of West and East Surrey Councils could be an option, but opponents feel devolution could delay funding reforms and push residents further away from the decision making process.

Further questions include how mayors will be held to account and how committees will fit into the new structure, if they are retained, with councils invited to submit proposals to the government in January.

Tim Oliver, leader of Surrey County Council, said they welcomed the devolution paper and its “bold ambition to empower local communities and councils” as he believes local government structure is ripe for change.

He said: “I believe there is general consensus that the current structure – here and elsewhere in the country – is not the most effective.

“Therefore, we welcome a real examination and review of how local government is organised to make it more efficient and more effective for residents.

“We intend to work alongside government, and other partners locally, and ensure any change ultimately benefits the people of Surrey.”

Announcing the paper’s publication, deputy prime minister Angela Rayner said: “Our manifesto pledged to give everyone access to devolved power.

“If we are going to build an economy that works for everyone, we need nothing less than a completely new way of governing – a generational project of determined devolution.

“Because the Westminster system is part of the problem. Whitehall is full of layers of governance and bureaucracy, controlled and micromanaged from the centre.

“To truly get growth in every corner of the country and put more money into people’s pockets, we must rewire England and end the hoarding in Whitehall by devolving power and money from central government to those with skin in the game.”