John Beckett

Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee - Thursday, 5 December 2024 10.00 am

The Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee met to discuss four key topics: the draft budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy, the Community Risk Management Plan for 2025-2030, Economic Growth in Surrey, and a review of the forward work programme. The committee made a total of nine recommendations to the Cabinet.

the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee of Surrey Council

The Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee voted by 7 to 4 to refer the decision not to proceed with the A3100 Burpham to Boxgrove Roundabout Active Travel Scheme back to the Cabinet for reconsideration. The Select Committee felt that the decision should be reconsidered because the original decision was not fully supported by the evidence presented and because it did not take into account alternative options, active travel's contribution to health and well-being, and the council's commitment to achieving net zero by 2050.

Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee - Tuesday, 15 October 2024 10.00 am

The Committee welcomed Surrey County Council's Climate Change Delivery Plan 2021-2025 [^2] and its efforts to meet its commitment to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050, but noted concerns about funding and the need for a more integrated approach to implementation across different council services. They also welcomed Surrey Fire and Rescue Service's response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase Two report [^3] and its commitment to implementing its recommendations, and noted the Cabinet's response to the July 2024 Select Committee report on the new draft Vision Zero Road Safety Strategy.

Council - Tuesday, 8 October 2024 10.00 am

The meeting started with a statement from the Leader of the Council, Councillor Tim Oliver OBE, and a statement from the Leader of the Liberal Democrat group, Councillor Paul Follows. The Council then approved the appointment of Andy Brown as the Section 151 Officer, the absence of Councillor David Lewis from Council meetings, amendments to the constitution, and noted the annual report of the Audit and Governance Committee. A debate was held on an original motion to tackle the increasing problem of motorcycles parking on pavements, which was passed. Another original motion proposed making Surrey County Council an “End Poverty” Council was passed after the rejection of an amendment to commit the Council to not reducing funding for charities that tackle poverty. Finally the Council noted the recommendations of the Communities, Environment and Highways select committee on the referral of a motion on plant based meals.

Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee - Wednesday, 17 July 2024 10.00 am

The meeting discussed an updated version of the Surrey RoadSafe Vision Zero Road Safety Strategy, the performance of Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, and the Your Fund Surrey community grant programme. The Committee supported the Vision Zero Road Safety Strategy and asked for more funding to be allocated to it, asked for more detailed performance measures for the Surrey Connect service and encouraged a renewed focus on communicating the impacts and benefits of the Your Fund Surrey scheme.