The Surrey County Council Cabinet met on Tuesday 17 March 2026, discussing a range of important issues including the Sara Sharif Safeguarding Practices Review, the establishment of a regional care cooperative, and the future of local government in Surrey. Key decisions included approving the publication of the Surrey Local Nature Recovery Strategy and endorsing membership in the Southeast Regional Care Cooperative.

Sara Sharif Safeguarding Practices Review

The Cabinet received an update on the Sara Sharif Safeguarding Practices Review. Councillor Catherine Powell, Chair of the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning and Culture Select Committee, expressed concerns that the motion passed in December regarding the Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review (LCSPR) had not been fully implemented, specifically regarding the select committee's engagement with independent reviewers. While progress has been made, the committee sought assurance that the Leader of the Council would also meet with the independent reviewers and that further meetings could be scheduled if the initial one-hour slot proved insufficient. Councillor Helen Clack, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Lifelong Learning, confirmed that she had been interrogated by the independent reviewer and suggested that an hour might be sufficient, but encouraged the committee to raise any concerns if the exchange was not satisfactory. The Leader of the Council stated he had a meeting with the independent reviewer the following day and would follow up on the committee's request.

Your Fund Surrey and Grant Funding

Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, Councillor Mark Nuti, provided an update on decisions made regarding the Your Fund Surrey initiative. Several grants were approved for community projects, including £200,000 for Shamley Green Village Hall, £499,000 for the Community Life Trust in Chertsey, £217,000 for Chert Pavilion, £499,000 for Peer Productions in Woking, £135,000 for Woking Tigers, and £499,900 for Effingham Village Recreation Ground Trust. Councillor Nuti highlighted the significant additional funding these projects had secured and the dedication of volunteers. He also reminded residents that the deadline for small grant funding applications was approaching. Councillor Nuti also specifically mentioned the Woking Tigers application and the support provided by Councillor Isaac Khan.

Finance and Resources Update

Councillor David Lewis, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, presented his Cabinet Member of the Month update, focusing on the financial health of the council. He reiterated that the council had set a balanced budget for the upcoming year despite increased demand and reduced funding, and was on track to contribute £20 million to reserves. Lewis highlighted that the council's external auditors had signed off the Statement of Accounts for 24-25 without qualification and had found no significant issues in the Value for Money report, indicating the council's sound financial standing. He also mentioned ongoing work related to Local Government Reform (LGR), the closure of Hendecker Group Limited, the winding up of Surrey Property Group, and changes to the 1215 service. Lewis also noted improvements in home to school transport assistance, with a significant underspend and fewer complaints, and the stabilisation of the Unit 4, My Surrey system.

Membership of the Southeast Regional Care Cooperative

The Cabinet was asked to endorse Surrey County Council's membership in the Southeast Regional Care Cooperative (SE RCC). Councillor Helen Clack, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Lifelong Learning, explained that the SE RCC was established following government reforms to address national challenges in children's social care. She highlighted that a significant percentage of Surrey's looked-after children were placed outside the county, and the council faced rising costs for placements, particularly for children with complex needs. The SE RCC aims to improve regional planning, strengthen foster care recruitment, develop the residential workforce, and leverage collective purchasing power. Surrey's participation requires a subsidy of £625,000 over three years. Councillor Claire Curran, Deputy Cabinet Member for Education and Safeguarding, reinforced the benefits of the SE RCC, particularly for sourcing residential placements for children with complex needs. The Cabinet agreed to endorse membership, approve the subsidy, and authorise legal services to finalise the necessary agreements.

Surrey Materials Recycling Facility SSE Grid Connection

Natalie Bramhall, Cabinet Member for Property, Waste and Infrastructure, presented a proposal for the use of grant funding to deliver the electricity grid connection for the Surrey Material Recycling Facility (MRF) at Trumps Farm, Chertsey. She explained that the council's waste infrastructure capacity is under pressure, and reliance on third-party facilities is becoming increasingly expensive. The MRF project has received planning permission, and a connection offer with Scottish and Southern Energy is in place. The project will be funded by enhanced producer responsibility funding of £1.92 million, with the connection expected to be ready in early 2027. The Cabinet approved the use of the grant funding and delegated authority to the executive director to enter into the contract with Scottish and Southern Energy.

Surrey Local Nature Recovery Strategy

Councillor Marissa Heath, Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, presented the Surrey Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) for approval and publication. She described Surrey's diverse natural landscape and the challenges faced, including pollution, climate change impacts, and habitat loss. The LNRS, a statutory requirement under the Environment Act 2021, aims to identify areas for nature protection and restoration, create more habitats, and connect existing ones. Heath emphasised the collaborative development of the strategy, involving Natural England, the Environment Agency, Surrey Wildlife Trust, farmers, landowners, local authorities, community groups, and residents. The strategy is intended to guide funding into local nature recovery projects and support voluntary action, without imposing new designations or preventing development. The Cabinet approved the publication of the strategy.

Procurement Forward Plan

Councillor David Lewis, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, presented the annual Procurement Forward Plan (PFP) for the financial year 2026-27. He explained that the plan complies with procurement and contract standing orders and takes into account the 2023 Procurement Act and the implications of local government reform. The plan includes all known contracts with a value over £207,720. Lewis noted the impending Section 24 notice, which will impose restrictions, and the need for flexibility during the Local Government Reform (LGR) process. The Cabinet approved the procurement of projects listed in Annex 1, delegated authority for contract awards within budgetary tolerances, and granted delegated authority for entering into contracts subject to consent from shadow authorities.

New Policies for Complaints and Customer Behaviour

Councillor David Lewis also presented two new policies for approval: the Complaints and Feedback Policy and the Managing Unreasonable Customer Behaviour Policy. The Complaints Policy has been developed in line with guidance from the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman and reflects national best practice. The Unreasonable Customer Behaviour Policy aims to provide a framework for identifying and managing persistent, abusive, or unreasonable customer behaviour, clarifying that it is not intended for dealing with elected members. Both policies have been reviewed by the Resources Select Committee. The Cabinet approved the adoption and publication of both policies and delegated authority for minor amendments.

New Formal Agreements for Youth Centres

Councillor Natalie Bramhall, Cabinet Member for Property, Waste and Infrastructure, presented proposals for new formal lease agreements for youth centres operated by voluntary and charitable sector service providers. This initiative aims to regularise existing tenancies at will and provide security for providers. The proposal involves extending leases for 15 youth centres for a term of six years and 364 days, with all leases to be entered into by September 2026. The Council will continue to fund utilities, health and safety, and compliance costs. Councillor Maureen Attewell, Deputy Cabinet Member for Youth Services, welcomed the development, highlighting the security it offers to providers and the continuation of youth services. Councillor Catherine Powell, Chair of the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning and Culture Select Committee, expressed thanks for the initiative and raised a concern about some buildings potentially failing to meet minimum energy efficiency standards, requesting a list of these buildings and early engagement with providers. The Cabinet agreed to enter into the 15 new leases and approved the associated recommendations.

Financial Report (Month 10)

Councillor David Lewis presented the Month 10 Financial Report, indicating an improving position on the revenue budget, forecasting an overall balanced budget for the year and a £20 million contribution to reserves. He noted that 90.4% of targeted efficiencies had been achieved or were on track, with a forecast overachievement of £1.9 million. Pressures within adult and children's services continue, but there is a significant underspend in central income and expenditure. On the capital budget, a forecast overspend of £1.1 million was reported, largely due to the acceleration of highway schemes. Lewis also highlighted the ongoing deficit in the high needs block, forecasting a cumulative deficit of £248 million, but noted the council's strong reserves and receipt of £91 million in safety valve payments. The Cabinet approved the repurposing of £2 million of capital investment for essential maintenance work on two care homes.

Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation Update

The Cabinet received an update on the Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation (D&LGR) programme. Councillor Tim Oliver OBE, Leader of Surrey County Council, explained that elections for the two new unitary councils, East Surrey and West Surrey, would take place on May 7th, with these councils operating in a shadow form until April 1, 2027. He confirmed that the council's responsibility is to hand over services and finances in the best possible way. The government has invited expressions of interest for a Foundation Strategic Authority (FSA) for Surrey, which would cover areas such as local transport, adult education, and spatial development strategies. The Cabinet agreed to submit an expression of interest for an FSA, with authority delegated to the Leader and Chief Executive to draft and submit the final version. Oliver also addressed concerns raised about the financial deficit in West Surrey, reiterating the government's commitment to providing exceptional financial support. The Cabinet noted the progress of the D&LGR programme and agreed to submit the expression of interest for a strategic authority.