The Surrey County Council Cabinet met on 27 May 2025, approving a plan to develop four council-owned sites for housing, including homes for people with mental health needs, and also approving funding for community projects in Guildford and Waverley. The cabinet also reviewed the financial outturn report for 2024/25.

Housing Development

The cabinet approved a plan to proceed with a tender to secure development agreements for four council-owned sites to deliver housing, including units allocated to adult social care for people with mental health needs. The sites are:

• Chalkmead in Mersham
• Keswick in Great Bookham
• Longfield in Cranleigh
• Meadowside in Staines

A fifth site, Heathside in Woking, requires further due diligence and was removed from the proposal for now, with a commitment to bring it back for consideration later.

The initiative aims to provide safe, supported, and sustainable accommodation for vulnerable residents, enabling them to live independently and thrive within their communities. The project aligns with the council's strategic priorities for housing, health, and inclusive communities, and supports the broader goals of increasing affordable housing and making the best use of council-owned land. The proposals are part of the council's right home and right support strategy¹.

The council aims to deliver between 100 and 130 units in total, with a proportion specifically allocated for individuals with mental health needs who are eligible for support under the Care Act 2014². The self-contained accommodation for people with mental health needs will be integrated within the general housing to create inclusive communities.

The council will enter into agreements with experienced developers in return for the land, who will deliver the housing, including the mental health units, without requiring significant capital investment from the council. The council has spent just under £1 million on feasibility work for the sites, and it is estimated that to complete the development, the council would need to spend a further £1.2 million.

Councillor Natalie Bramhall, Cabinet Member for Property, Waste and Infrastructure, confirmed that the news of the proposed redevelopment at the Keswick site is welcome to local residents, and that she would do all that she can to help promote this with the local engagement that goes on.

Your Fund Surrey Applications

The cabinet approved funding for two projects under the Your Fund Surrey (YFS) scheme³:

• St Peter's Shared Church - The Oak Project, Guildford: £850,000 was approved for the development of a new community space. The project aims to increase the footprint of the church, providing a community cafe and making the facilities more accessible. The project is located in a key neighbourhood ranked in decile 2 on the Index of Multiple Deprivation⁴.
• Shamley Green Village Hall Redevelopment Project, Waverley: £700,000 was approved for the redevelopment of the village hall into a community hub. The project will include the demolition of annexes and re-construction of modern facilities with low carbon installations.

2024/25 Financial Outturn Report

Councillor David Lewis, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, presented the 2024/25 Financial Outturn Report, which provided information on the council's financial performance for revenue and capital, including the year-end treasury management and debt outturn position.

The council's outturn position for 2024/25 was a directorate overspend of £13.7 million. After application of the corporately held contingency budget, this resulted in an overall underspend of £6.3 million. It was recommended that the residual £6.3 million be transferred to reserves to mitigate against known risks in 2025/26.

The council achieved £43.4 million (81%) of efficiencies within 2024/25. The report also covered the school outturn position and treasury management. All prudential indicators have been adhered to, and the authorised borrowing limits and operational boundaries have not been breached during the last financial year.

Councillor Tim Oliver OBE, Leader of the Council, noted that the council has committed nearly £150 million of its reserves as part of the overall agreement reached with the Department for Education, and that the government has not funded three new free schools as part of that agreement.

Other Matters

• Councillor Tim Oliver OBE thanked Councillor Claire Curran for her work as the full-time cabinet member for Children, Families and Lifelong Learning, and welcomed Councillor Jonathan Hulley into the role.
• Councillor Tim Oliver OBE clarified the council's position on communication with members of parliament, stating that the council always urges residents to use council reporting routes for all issues, rather than use MPs as the first port of call.
• Councillor Mark Nuti, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, and Public Health, reminded everyone that it is National Sunscreen Day and Skin Cancer Awareness Month.
• The cabinet noted decisions taken by cabinet members and the Strategic Investment Board since the last meeting, including decisions related to the Strategic Investment Board Annual Report, the SEND capital programme specifically in relation to Hope's Court School, and the disposal of 30 St. Martians close to East Horsey.
• Councillor David Lewis was recognised as Cabinet Member of the Month.