This week in Surrey:

East and West Surrey Committees Convene to Forge New Governance Structures

This week saw the formation of two crucial joint committees, the East Surrey Voluntary Joint Committee and the West Surrey Voluntary Joint Committee. These committees are tasked with establishing the foundational elements for future governance, including the formation of implementation teams and the development of programme structures.

The discussions centred on:

• Defining Operational Frameworks: Both committees reviewed their proposed terms of reference and terms of procedure. These documents are essential for outlining the committees' purpose, responsibilities, and how they will conduct their business, ensuring clarity and accountability from the outset.
• Planning for the Future: Consideration was given to future meetings and work programmes. This forward-looking approach is vital for setting clear objectives and ensuring a structured path towards achieving them.
• Establishing Implementation Capacity: A significant focus was placed on forming implementation teams and defining programme structures. This is a critical step in translating plans into action, ensuring that the necessary personnel and organisational frameworks are in place to manage future initiatives effectively.
• Developing Action Plans: The committees discussed the approach to developing implementation plans. This involves outlining the strategy and methodology for creating detailed plans to deliver on their objectives, a process that will directly impact the services and outcomes for residents.
• Appointing Key Roles: Both committees also addressed interim statutory officer designations for their respective shadow authorities. This is a crucial step in establishing the leadership and administrative capacity needed to move forward.

These committees represent a significant step in shaping the future governance of Surrey, with decisions made now having a direct impact on how services will be delivered and managed in the years to come.

Other Matters

• The Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources Decisions met, but no video was provided.

Upcoming Meetings

• The Audit and Governance Committee will meet on Wednesday 21 January 2026 to discuss the Treasury Management Strategy Statement, Counter Fraud and Corruption Strategy, and internal audit reports. View the agenda.
• The Cabinet Member for Children and Families, Lifelong learning Decisions will meet on Tuesday 27 January 2026 to consider the Surrey Children's Services Improvement Plan and the outcomes of the Surrey Youth Voice consultation. View the agenda.
• The Cabinet Member for Property, Waste and Infrastructure Decisions will meet on Tuesday 27 January 2026 to review the Surrey County Council Property Investment Strategy and a proposal for the disposal of land at the former Leatherhead Leisure Centre. View the agenda.
• The Leader and Cabinet Member Decisions will meet on Tuesday 27 January 2026. View the agenda.
• The Cabinet Member for Fire and Rescue, and Resilience Decisions will meet on Tuesday 27 January 2026. View the agenda.
• The Cabinet will meet on Tuesday 27 January 2026 to discuss a range of key decisions. View the agenda.
• The Planning and Regulatory Committee will meet on Wednesday 28 January 2026. View the agenda.
• The Strategic Investment Board will meet on Thursday 29 January 2026. View the agenda.

This week in Surrey:

Reigate School Places in Jeopardy: Cabinet to Discuss Future Options

The Surrey County Council Cabinet is set to discuss the future of primary school places in Reigate, with a focus on Reigate Priory Junior School (RPJS). The school's current location at Priory Park is deemed unsustainable, raising concerns for parents and the community. View the agenda.

• Uncertainty for Families: The potential relocation or restructuring of RPJS could disrupt the education of current and future students, causing anxiety for families in the area.
• Working Group: The Cabinet will discuss the terms of reference for a working group tasked with finding a viable solution for primary school provision in Reigate.
• Parent Concerns: A summary of a parent carer reference group is included in the report pack, highlighting the importance of considering parental perspectives in any decision-making process.

The outcome of this discussion could significantly impact the educational landscape in Reigate, particularly for families with young children.

Case Management System Upgrade: Direct Award to Liquidlogic

The Cabinet is also scheduled to discuss a direct award to Liquidlogic for improvements to case management systems used by Adult Wellbeing and Health Partnership (AWHP) and Children, Families and Lifelong Learning (CFLL). View the agenda.

• Vulnerable Populations: These systems are crucial for managing cases involving vulnerable adults and children, making system improvements essential for effective service delivery.
• System Improvements: The report pack includes information on system improvements for CFLL services fulfilled in 2025, and system 'C' AWHP improvements in 2025.
• Equality Impact Assessment: An equality impact assessment for the Single View Of A Child Programme is included, highlighting the council's commitment to ensuring that system changes do not disproportionately affect any particular group.

This decision could lead to more efficient and effective case management, ultimately benefiting vulnerable individuals and families in Surrey.

A217 Reigate Road Safety Petition: Cabinet Member to Consider Pedestrian Crossing and Speed Limit Reduction

Councillor Matt Furniss, Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth, will consider a petition regarding road safety on the A217 Reigate Road, Sidlow. View the agenda. Residents are calling for a new pedestrian crossing and a reduction in the speed limit to improve safety for pedestrians and drivers alike.

• Community Safety: The petition highlights concerns about the safety of pedestrians, particularly children and the elderly, who may struggle to cross the busy road.
• Petition Response: The report, titled A217 Reigate Road Sidlow - pedestrian crossing speed limit reduction petition and response, details the background of the petition and the responses provided.
• Potential Outcomes: A new pedestrian crossing and speed limit reduction could significantly improve road safety in the area, making it safer for residents to walk and cycle.

This decision could have a direct impact on the safety and well-being of residents in Sidlow.

Other Matters

• The Cabinet Member for Property, Waste and Infrastructure Decisions met, but no video was provided. View the agenda.
• The Leader and Cabinet Member Decisions met, but no video was provided. View the agenda.
• The Cabinet received an update on the Delivering Local Government Reorganisation (DLGR) programme. View the agenda.
• The Cabinet discussed decisions taken since the last Cabinet meeting. View the agenda.
• The Children, Families, Lifelong Learning and Culture Select Committee discussed a serious case review regarding the death of 'Sarah', and the annual report of the Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership¹. No video was provided. View the agenda.
• The Surrey Pension Fund Committee met to discuss investment performance, responsible investment, budget monitoring, and recent developments in Local Government Pension Schemes (LGPS). No video was provided. View the agenda.
• The Planning and Regulatory Committee met, but no summary or video was provided. View the agenda.
• The Cabinet Member for Customer and Communities Decisions will focus on the proposed upgrade to the Cobham Skatepark. No video was provided. View the agenda.

This week in Surrey:

Sara Sharif Tragedy: Council Faces Scrutiny and Calls for National Action

Following the harrowing Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review into the death of Sara Sharif, Surrey County Council is under pressure to address systemic failures and prevent future tragedies. Read the full story.

• Independent Scrutiny: An extraordinary meeting of the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning and Culture Select Committee will be held to scrutinise the review report in full, in public, on Monday 15 December.
• Expert Review: An independent expert will examine the culture, systems, and processes within the directorate, benchmarking against the review's 15 recommendations.
• National Advocacy: The Leader of the Council will write to the Secretary of State and local MPs seeking urgent national action on the review's recommendations.

Councillor Lance Spencer, who proposed the motion, emphasised the need for urgent action, independent scrutiny, and national advocacy to prevent similar tragedies. Councillor Liz Townsend described the review as deeply troubling and called for transparency in implementing changes.

The council voted overwhelmingly in favour of the motion, demonstrating a commitment to addressing the failures identified in the report.

Unitary Council Debt: Government Clarity Sought on Woking and Spelthorne

As Surrey prepares for Local Government Reorganisation[^2] (LGR), concerns are mounting about the debt burden in Woking and Spelthorne and its potential impact on the new unitary councils[^3]. Read the full story.

• Ring-fencing Debts: A motion was passed calling for the government to ring-fence the debts in Woking and Spelthorne and deal with them through further debt support.
• Asset Protection: The motion seeks assurance that assets from other districts and boroughs or the County Council would not need to be sold off to reduce the debts held by Woking and Spelthorne.
• Clear Path Forward: The council is urging the government to provide a clear path forward on the debt situation before the summer recess in 2026.

Councillor Catherine Powell raised the motion, seeking clarity from the government on how they intend to address the debt issues in Woking and Spelthorne, and support the soon-to-be-formed West Surrey Unitary being able to set a balanced budget for its first year of operation in 2027-28. Councillor David Lewis seconded the motion, emphasising the need for both West and East Surrey Unitary Councils to begin their existence on a firm financial footing.

The council voted to support the motion, highlighting the importance of financial stability for the new unitary authorities.

Surrey Pension Fund: Single-Purpose Authority Approved

The council has approved the creation of a single-purpose pension authority (SPPA) for the Surrey Pension Fund (SPF)[^1]. Read the full story.

• Independence and Governance: An SPPA would provide independence and improved governance, removing conflicts of interest.
• Transparency and Efficiency: The decision aims to enhance transparency, ensure operational efficiency, and promote local investment.
• Future Flexibility: An SPPA would offer future flexibility and position Surrey as a leader in potential LGPS fund mergers.

The council agreed that an SPPA would provide independence and improved governance, remove conflicts of interest, enhance transparency, ensure operational efficiency, promote local investment, and offer future flexibility.

Healthwatch Abolition: Council Voices Concern Over Loss of Independent Patient Voice

Surrey County Council has voiced its opposition to the government's plan to abolish Healthwatch[^4] organisations and replace them with a patient experience directorate within the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)[^5]. Read the full story.

• Independent Patient Voice: The council expressed concern that this change would remove the independent patient voice and democratic oversight of health services.
• Democratic Oversight: The motion highlights the importance of independent scrutiny and local input in shaping health services.

Councillor Trevor Hogg raised the motion, expressing concern that this change would remove the independent patient voice and democratic oversight of health services. The council voted to support the motion unanimously.

Other Business

• Cabinet Portfolio Changes: The council noted the leader's changes to cabinet portfolios, including the appointment of Helyn Clack as Deputy Cabinet Member for Children, Families, and Lifelong Learning.
• Councillor Absence: The council agreed that Councillor Fiona White, Guildford West, would continue to be absent from meetings until May 2026 due to ill health.
• Political Proportionality: The council adopted the scheme of proportionality for the remainder of the council year 2025-26.
• Committee Appointments: The council appointed members to serve on the committees of the council for the remainder of the council year 2025-26, following changes to the political proportionality.
• Scrutiny Update Report: The council noted the headline activity of the council's overview and scrutiny function for the period.
• Amendments to the Constitution: The council agreed to a revised set of wording to the constitution and agreed to reinstate the working party on the constitution.
• Members' Question Time: Councillors posed questions to cabinet members on various topics, including school places, weed control, road safety, and the Surrey Property Group (SPG).
• Report of the Cabinet: The council adopted the report of the Cabinet meetings held on 28 October and 25 November 2025.
• The Health and Wellbeing Board and Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care Partnership (ICP) are scheduled to hold a joint meeting. Items for discussion include the Healthy Surrey Health and Wellbeing Strategy, the impact of climate change on health, the Families First Partnership Programme, and medium-term planning for the NHS. Read the full story.

Upcoming Meetings

• The Cabinet Member for Property, Waste and Infrastructure Decisions will meet on Tuesday 16 December 2025. View the agenda.
• The Leader and Cabinet Member Decisions will meet on Tuesday 16 December 2025. View the agenda.
• The Cabinet will meet on Tuesday 16 December 2025. View the agenda.
• The Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth Decisions will meet on Tuesday 16 December 2025. View the agenda.
• The Children, Families, Lifelong Learning and Culture Select Committee will meet on Monday 15 December 2025. View the agenda.
• The Surrey Pension Fund Committee will meet on Monday 15 December 2025. View the agenda.
• The Planning and Regulatory Committee will meet on Wednesday 17 December 2025. View the agenda.
• The Cabinet Member for Customer and Communities Decisions will meet on Tuesday 16 December 2025. View the agenda.

This week in Surrey:

Fire Service Faces Scrutiny Over Budget Amidst Performance Improvements

The Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee met to discuss the Surrey Fire and Rescue Service's (SFRS) performance and the proposed budget for 2026/27, sparking debate about resource allocation and service delivery. Read the full story.

While the SFRS has shown improvements in response times and fire incident reduction, the committee questioned whether the proposed budget adequately supports the service's ongoing efforts.

• Budget Pressures: The committee acknowledged the financial challenges facing the council, including limited funding and rising demand for services. Councillor David Lewis, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, stated that the budget was set against a challenging chill climate for local government.
• Performance Data: The committee reviewed performance data showing a decrease in primary dwelling fires and improved response times. However, concerns were raised about maintaining these improvements with potential budget constraints.
• Efficiency Targets: The committee scrutinized proposed efficiency savings within the SFRS, seeking assurance that these savings would not compromise service quality or community safety.
• Workforce Diversity: Councillor Stephen Cooksey raised concerns about the SFRS's workforce diversity, a challenge acknowledged by Dan, the Chief Fire Officer. Dan stated that improving workforce diversity was a key priority but would take time.

The discussion highlights the difficult balance between financial responsibility and maintaining essential public services, particularly for vulnerable communities who rely on the SFRS for safety and protection.

Council Faces Tough Choices as Budget Gap Looms

The Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee also grappled with the wider implications of the draft budget for 2026/27, which reveals a significant budget gap. Read the full story.

• Fair Funding Reform: Councillor Lewis explained that the fair funding reform proposals would result in flat income for the council, despite rising costs.
• Council Tax Increase: The draft budget assumes a council tax increase of 2.99%, but Councillor Lewis noted that increasing it to the maximum allowable 4.99% could close the budget gap.
• Efficiency Savings: The council has already identified £73.4 million in efficiencies, but needs to find an additional £21.3 million to balance the budget.
• Service Impacts: The committee discussed the potential impact of budget cuts on various services, including waste management, highways, libraries, and the coroner's service.

Rachel Wigley, Director of Finance and Deputy Section 151 Officer, outlined the options for closing the budget gap, including further efficiencies, use of reserves, and increasing council tax. The committee emphasized the need to prioritize essential services and protect vulnerable residents during this challenging financial period.

Your Fund Surrey Under Review: Impact on Communities Questioned

The Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee examined the impact of Your Fund Surrey (YFS), a program that allows residents to propose and vote for community projects. Read the full story.

• Community Benefits: The committee reviewed data on the number of projects funded, the distribution of funding across the county, and the program's impact on local communities.
• Long-Term Impact: Questions were raised about how the council is capturing residents' feedback on these projects over the long term to support that evidence.
• Health Inequalities: The committee discussed how YFS has helped to tackle health inequalities by supporting projects in areas of deprivation.
• Transition to Unitary Authorities: The committee explored how the YFS program will be transitioned to the new unitary authorities, ensuring that community projects continue to receive support.

The discussion highlights the importance of community engagement and investment in local projects, but also raises questions about the long-term sustainability and impact of the YFS program.

Other Matters

• The Adults and Health Select Committee and the Resources and Performance Select Committee also met to discuss the draft budget for 2026/27. No videos were provided. Read the full story. Read the full story.
• The Children, Families, Lifelong Learning and Culture Select Committee met to discuss the draft budget for 2026/27, performance and inspection reports, and updates to the council's 'preparing for adulthood' and 'early help' programmes. No video was provided. Read the full story.

Upcoming Meetings

• The Council will meet on Tuesday 09 December 2025 to discuss an update to the council's medium-term financial plan, a review of the council's performance, and a discussion of the Surrey Fire and Rescue Service's Ofsted inspection. View the agenda.
• The Health and Wellbeing Board will meet on Wednesday 10 December 2025. View the agenda.