This week in Surrey:

Unit 4 System Upgrade Complete, But Questions Remain About Cost and LGR Impact

The Audit and Governance Committee received an update on the Unit 4 ¹ system, marking the end of the optimisation phase. Read the full story. While officials declared the system stable and subject to business as usual processes, committee members raised concerns about the overall cost of the project, ongoing procurement issues, and the implications of local government reorganisation (LGR).

• Strategic Risk: Councillor Becky Rush questioned whether the Unit 4 situation was still considered a strategic risk, particularly in light of the upcoming division into two unitary authorities.
• Procurement Problems: Councillor Steven McCormick highlighted continuing problems with the purchase order system and the need to address procurement issues identified in an internal audit.
• Total Cost: Councillor McCormick requested clarification on the total cost of the project from SAP to Unit 4 migration, citing budget numbers of £10-11 million in 2021-22.
• LGR Implications: Councillor Rush asked about the risks of splitting the system between the two new unitary authorities, including data transfer and system access.
• Discovery Work: Officials stated that a dedicated group is exploring options for disaggregating the system, considering methods like tracking, tagging, and partitioning data.

The discussion highlights the ongoing challenges of implementing large-scale IT projects and the need for careful planning and risk management, especially in the context of significant organisational change. Councillor David Lewis Cobham cautioned that while the expectation is that Unit 4 will be the system used by the new authorities, no decision has been taken.

Annual Governance Statement Highlights LGR Challenges

The Audit and Governance Committee received a half-year update on the Annual Governance Statement (AGS) for 2024/25. Read the full story. The update focused on improvement areas identified in the AGS, particularly in light of the upcoming local government reorganisation.

• Neighbourhood Area Committees: Councillor McCormick inquired about the rollout of neighbourhood area committees, which are intended to give local communities a greater voice in decision-making.
• Pilot Areas: Officials confirmed that pilot neighbourhood area committees are underway in four areas, with plans to roll them out more widely next year.
• Strategic Authority: Councillor McCormick asked about progress on the government's attitude towards a mayoral strategic authority, and what process is being considered for fire and rescue services if a strategic authority is not established.
• New Governance Arrangements: Officials stated that plans are being made for new governance arrangements for Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, as it cannot be split into each unitary authority.

The discussion underscores the significant challenges and uncertainties facing the council as it prepares for LGR, and the need to ensure that key services and governance arrangements are maintained during the transition.

External Audit Report Approved, But Concerns Remain About Control Environment

The Audit and Governance Committee approved the audited statement of accounts and external audit report for 2024/25. Read the full story. While officials were pleased to present the accounts earlier than in previous years, auditors identified areas for improvement in the council's control environment.

• Misstatements: Auditors noted an unadjusted misstatement of £26.5 million related to timing differences in private equity investments within the Surrey Pension Fund.
• Prior Year Restatement: Councillor Becky Rush requested clarification on a prior year restatement, which was explained as a mapping of ledger codes to lines on the balance sheet.
• Bulk Capitalized Expenditure: Councillor McCormick raised concerns about £11 million of assets from 2017-18 that had not been split out in a fixed asset register.
• Pension Fund: Councillor McCormick asked that the pension fund audit results report be sent to the pension committee for review before final sign-off.

The audit report highlights the importance of maintaining a strong control environment to ensure the accuracy and reliability of financial reporting.

Other Matters

• The Surrey Local Firefighters' Pension Board met to discuss updates from the Scheme Manager, review the pension risk register, and consider an administration update. Read the full story. No video was provided.
• The Audit and Governance Committee received a Treasury Management Mid-Year Report for 2025/26, noting that interest rates have not reduced as quickly as previously thought, leading to an increased interest receipt for the year. Read the full story.
• The Audit and Governance Committee received an Internal Audit Progress Report for Quarter 2 of 2025-26, which included a review of the Unit 4 procurement process. Read the full story.
• The Audit and Governance Committee discussed the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) Code of Practice (CoP) for the Governance of Internal Audit in UK Local Government, and the council's self-assessment against the code. Read the full story.

Upcoming Meetings

• The Adults and Health Select Committee will meet on Wednesday 03 December 2025. View the agenda.
• The Resources and Performance Select Committee will meet on Thursday 04 December 2025. View the agenda.
• The Children, Families, Lifelong Learning and Culture Select Committee will meet on Thursday 04 December 2025. View the agenda.
• The Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee will meet on Friday 05 December 2025. View the agenda.
• The Cabinet Member for Property, Waste and Infrastructure Decisions will meet on Tuesday 25 November 2025 to discuss the disposal of three council-owned properties. View the agenda.
• The Surrey Police and Crime Panel will meet on Thursday 27 November 2025 to discuss a range of topics, including retail crime, commissioning strategies, and updates from the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner. View the agenda.
• The Leader and Cabinet Member Decisions will meet on Tuesday 25 November 2025. View the agenda.
• The Cabinet Member for Children and Families, Lifelong learning Decisions will meet on Tuesday 25 November 2025 to discuss a proposal to extend the age range at Ewhurst Church of England Aided Infant School. View the agenda.
• The Cabinet will meet on Tuesday 25 November 2025 to discuss the draft budget for 2026-27, proposed changes to adult social care charging policies, and the disposal of three Surrey properties. View the agenda.
• The Planning and Regulatory Committee will meet on Wednesday 26 November 2025 to discuss planning applications and regulatory issues within the county. View the agenda.

This week in Surrey:

Kinship Carer Policy Shelved Amidst Local Government Reorganisation

The People, Performance and Development Committee decided not to move forward with a new Kinship Carer Leave and Pay Policy, citing concerns about the impact on the upcoming local government reorganisation. Read the full story. Kinship carers, who provide care for children who cannot live with their parents, may have to wait for the new unitary authorities to address their needs.

• Policy Impact: The proposed policy aimed to provide additional support to kinship carers within the council's workforce.
• LGR Concerns: The committee expressed concerns that implementing the policy now could constrain the new unitary councils.
• Joint Committee Review: The issue will be passed on to the joint committees that are being formed to oversee the transition to the new unitary authorities.

This decision highlights the challenges of making policy decisions during a period of significant change and the potential for vulnerable groups to be affected by delays and uncertainty.

Pension Fund Exceeds Funding Target, But Risks Remain

The Surrey Local Pension Board discussed the performance of the pension fund, which is currently over 150% funded. Read the full story. While this is partly due to prudent management and changes in bond yields, concerns were raised about the potential impact of market volatility and local government reorganisation.

• Prudent Management: Brendan Bradley praised the prudent management of the fund over many years.
• Gilt Yields: Neil, whose last name was not provided, cautioned that gilt yields and actuarial assumptions are key factors and could easily change.
• Defensive Approach: William McKee questioned whether it was time to consider a more defensive approach to investments, given the current economic climate.
• LGR Risk: William McKee also questioned the high rating of the risk associated with devolution, arguing that the impact of local government reorganisation was often overstated.

This discussion underscores the importance of careful risk management and long-term planning in ensuring the financial security of the pension fund and its members.

Staff Surveys Reveal Concerns About Voice and Discrimination

The People, Performance and Development Committee reviewed the findings of recent workforce surveys, which revealed concerns about job security, team changes, and a lack of career development opportunities. Read the full story. The surveys also indicated that some employees have experienced discrimination at work.

• Job Security: Understandably, people were most concerned around job security and team changes.
• Speaking Up Service: A new speaking-up service has been implemented to allow staff to confidentially raise concerns with a neutral third party.
• Discrimination: 9% of respondents reported experiencing discrimination at work.
• Voice: Only 50% of respondents felt they had a voice and were heard prior to decisions being made.

These findings highlight the need for the council to address employee concerns and create a more inclusive and supportive work environment.

Other Matters

• The Strategic Investment Board approved recommendations regarding the investment overview of the 2025/26 performance review. Read the full story.
• The Surrey Local Pension Board received an update on recent developments in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), including the pensions bill going through parliament and the government's amendments to the bill regarding asset pools. Read the full story.
• The People, Performance and Development Committee discussed the council's programme of meetings for 2026-2027. Read the full story.
• The People, Performance and Development Committee discussed Coroners Pay, with a supporting document titled PPDC Part 1 Report Coroners Pay November 2025. Read the full story.
• The People, Performance and Development Committee received an update on the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLGR). Read the full story.

Upcoming Meetings

• The Surrey Local Firefighters' Pension Board will meet on Thursday 20 November 2025. View the agenda.
• The Audit and Governance Committee will meet on Wednesday 19 November 2025. View the agenda.
• The Cabinet Member for Property, Waste and Infrastructure Decisions will meet on Tuesday 25 November 2025 to discuss the disposal of three council-owned properties. View the agenda.
• The Cabinet Member for Children and Families, Lifelong learning Decisions will meet on Tuesday 25 November 2025 to discuss a proposal to extend the age range at Ewhurst Church of England Aided Infant School. View the agenda.
• The Planning and Regulatory Committee will meet on Wednesday 26 November 2025. View the agenda.
• The Cabinet will meet on Tuesday 25 November 2025. View the agenda.
• The Surrey Police and Crime Panel will meet on Thursday 27 November 2025. View the agenda.
• The Leader and Cabinet Member Decisions will meet on Tuesday 25 November 2025. View the agenda.

This week in Surrey:

HR Director Appointment Finalised

The People, Performance and Development Committee Appointment Sub-Committee met this week to finalise the appointment of a new Director of HR and Organisational Development for Surrey Council. Read the full story. This is a key role responsible for shaping the council's people strategy and ensuring it has the right staff in place.

• Key Responsibilities: The Director of HR and Organisational Development will lead the HR function, develop and implement people strategies, promote a positive culture, and advise on all HR matters.
• Diverse Interview Panels: The committee also discussed the importance of diverse and representative interview panels for senior positions, including councillors, senior officers, HR representatives, and independent advisors.
• Equality and Diversity Training: The committee emphasised the need for interview panels to be trained on equality and diversity issues and to be aware of the council's recruitment policies.

This appointment is crucial for ensuring the council has effective HR leadership to support its workforce and deliver services to residents.

Trading Standards Committee Meeting Cancelled

The Buckinghamshire Council and Surrey County Council Joint Trading Standards Service Committee meeting scheduled for this week was cancelled. Read the full story. The committee was set to discuss important issues including budget updates, performance reports, and tobacco control initiatives.

• Budget and Performance: The committee was to review the financial performance of the Joint Trading Standards Service and key performance indicators.
• Tobacco Control: A report on current tobacco control activities and enforcement actions against illegal tobacco sales was planned.
• Forward Work Programme: The committee was also scheduled to discuss planned activities and priorities for the coming months.

The cancellation means these important discussions have been delayed, potentially impacting the effectiveness of trading standards operations in the region.

Upcoming Meetings

• The People, Performance and Development Committee will meet on Monday 10 November 2025 to discuss workforce planning and the council's approach to equality, diversity, and inclusion. View the agenda.
• The Strategic Investment Board will meet on Thursday 13 November 2025. View the agenda.
• The Surrey Local Pension Board will meet on Friday 14 November 2025. View the agenda.
• The Audit and Governance Committee will meet on Wednesday 19 November 2025. View the agenda.
• The Surrey Local Firefighters' Pension Board will meet on Thursday 20 November 2025. View the agenda.

This week in Surrey:

Recycling Centre Booking System Scrapped After Resident Backlash

The Surrey County Council cabinet met this week and heard a petition signed by 694 residents calling for the immediate end to the booking system trial at the Camberley and Lyne Recycling Centres. Read the full story. The trial, intended to reduce congestion and improve recycling rates, has been met with significant opposition from residents who describe it as unnecessary red tape that penalises families and shift workers.

• Resident Frustration: Councillor Robert King presented the petition, sharing residents' experiences of inconvenience and difficulty using the system. He argued that there was no evidence of congestion issues at the Lyne site prior to the trial.
• Council Defence: Natalie Bramhall, Cabinet Member for Property, Waste and Infrastructure, defended the trial, citing reports from other authorities with booking systems of increased recycling rates, less congestion, and reduced carbon impact.
• Conflicting Experiences: Councillor Mark Nuti, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, and Public Health, said he found the system easy to use, while Councillor Mary Serna expressed that her residents were unhappy with the booking system.
• Trial Ends: Despite the initial defence, the council ultimately decided to scrap the booking system. Mr Oliver stated that the trial would continue until 10 November, after which the data would be analysed and a decision made on the future of the booking system.

This decision marks a significant victory for residents who voiced their concerns and highlights the importance of public feedback in shaping council policy. It also raises questions about the council's decision-making process and whether resident concerns were adequately considered before the trial was implemented.

Surrey to be Divided into Two Unitary Authorities by 2027

The Surrey County Council cabinet also announced that the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government has decided to replace Surrey's existing 12 councils with two unitary councils effective from April 2027. Read the full story. This decision, aligning with Surrey County Council's submission, marks a significant shift in local governance.

• Government Support: The government has committed an initial £500 million in 2026-27 to address Woking Borough Council's debt, with a promise to keep the debt under review.
• Mayoral Combined Authority: The government intends to create a mayor for Surrey, with the ambition of having a directly elected mayor in May 2027.
• Transition Period: The existing 12 councils will remain as sovereign bodies until 31 March 2027, with new shadow unitaries working closely with them during the transition.
• Neighbourhood Area Committees: Mr Oliver touched on the neighbourhood area committees, which are a crucial part of the new structure, with four pilot areas underway.

Mr Oliver stated:

This is a once-in-a-generation reform to local government in Surrey, and an opportunity to have stronger local councils in charge of all local services, equipped to drive economic growth, improve local public services, and lead and empower our communities.

This reorganisation promises to streamline services and empower communities, but also raises concerns about potential disruptions during the transition and the need to ensure that local voices are heard in the new unitary authorities.

Woodland School Expansion Approved Amidst Calls for More Specialist Education

The cabinet approved the expansion of the Woodland School onto the satellite site at Cranmeria Primary School. Read the full story. This decision is part of the council's Alternative Provision (AP) and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Capital Programme.

• Increased Specialist Places: Since 2019, the council has significantly invested in expanding maintained specialist education provision, increasing places from approximately 3,320 to over 4,500 at the beginning of the current academic year, with a projected increase of a further 1,000 places over the next 12 months.
• Funding Shortfall: Jonathan Hulley, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Lifelong Learning, appealed for pressure to be applied to the Department for Education (DfE) to release funding for building three free schools that were agreed upon with the department.
• Safety Valve Agreement: Mr Oliver reinforced this point, noting that the government had not funded three new schools as part of the safety valve agreement with the government.

This expansion is a positive step towards meeting the growing demand for specialist education, but the council's inability to secure funding for additional schools raises concerns about its long-term capacity to support children with SEND.

Other Matters

• The Cabinet approved an increase in the net revenue budget of £1.274.8 million due to additional public health funding. Read the full story.
• The Cabinet approved the sale of three properties: 28 St. Martin's Close, 1 Cowslip Cottages, and Woodman's Cottage, conditional on the surrender of head leases held by Halsey Garton Residential Limited (HGR). Read the full story.
• The Farnham Board were scheduled to discuss the Brightwells Gostrey Centre project, and the Farnham Infrastructure Programme (FIP). No video was provided. Read the full story.

• The Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth Decisions discussed a petition regarding Cobham Free Junior School and responses to questions from members. Read the full story.

  Upcoming Meetings

• The People, Performance and Development Committee Appointment Sub-Committee will meet on Wednesday 05 November 2025 to discuss the appointment of a new Director of HR and Organisational Development. View the agenda.

• The Buckinghamshire Council and Surrey County Council Joint Trading Standards Service Committee will meet on Thursday 06 November 2025 to discuss a budget report, a tobacco control report, and a performance report. View the agenda.

• The People, Performance and Development Committee will meet on Monday 10 November 2025 to discuss workforce planning and the council's approach to equality, diversity, and inclusion. View the agenda.

• The Strategic Investment Board will meet on Thursday 13 November 2025. View the agenda.

• The Surrey Local Pension Board will meet on Friday 14 November 2025. View the agenda.