This week in Surrey:

Workforce Diversity Stagnates as Council Grapples with Reorganisation

The People, Performance and Development Committee met on Monday, July 14, 2025, to discuss workforce issues amidst the ongoing local government reorganisation. Read the full story. While the council touted progress in some areas, concerns remain about the lack of diversity and the potential impact of the reorganisation on staff.

• The Annual Workforce Report revealed that only 10.7% of the workforce are from ethnic minority groups, a slight decrease from 10.9% in April 2024.
• The median gender pay gap increased to 11.38% in March 2024, compared to 8.82% in 2023.
• The committee discussed the complexities of transferring approximately 15,000 staff to new unitary organisations as part of the reorganisation, with concerns raised about potential job losses and pay disparities.
• Councillor Paul Follows, Liberal Democrats Group Leader, requested access to anonymized survey data to understand staff sentiment regarding the local government reorganisation.

These figures raise questions about the council's commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, particularly as it undergoes a major transformation. The potential for job losses and pay disparities during the reorganisation could disproportionately affect vulnerable employees.

Firefighters' Pension Scheme Faces Historic Contribution Issue

The Surrey Local Firefighters' Pension Board met on Thursday, July 17, 2025, to discuss scheme management and financial updates. Read the full story. A significant issue emerged regarding historic pension contributions for firefighters employed in both regular and retained roles prior to 2011.

• The board learned that pension contributions were automatically deducted from all payments to members of the New Firefighters' Pension Scheme (NFPS), even for retained duties where they hadn't elected to join the NFPS.
• The council is seeking legal guidance to determine the appropriate course of action and resolve the issue.
• The board also received updates on the McCloud remedy and pensions dashboards, with over 96% of Immediate Choice members receiving their Remediable Service Statements (RSS).

This historic error could have significant financial implications for affected firefighters, highlighting the importance of accurate pension administration and the council's responsibility to rectify past mistakes.

Children's Services Face Scrutiny Amidst Positive Ofsted Report

The Children, Families, Lifelong Learning and Culture Select Committee met on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, to review Ofsted reports and performance data related to children's social care. Read the full story. While the committee noted the good rating from Ofsted, concerns were raised about specific areas needing improvement.

• Ofsted identified areas for improvement, including collaborative safety planning with children and families, and the number of care leavers in education, training, and employment.
• The committee reviewed Ofsted reports for several Surrey County Council-run Children's Homes, with some homes receiving requires improvement ratings due to management instability and vacant registered manager posts.
• The committee received an overview of Children, Families and Lifelong Learning performance, including key performance indicators in children's social care and data on social worker and foster carer turnover.

These findings underscore the need for continued vigilance and targeted interventions to ensure that all children in Surrey receive the support and care they need, particularly those in vulnerable situations.

Other Matters

• The Strategic Investment Board meeting scheduled for Monday, July 14, 2025, was cancelled. Read the full story.

Upcoming Meetings

• The Farnham Board will meet on Friday 25 July 2025. View the agenda.
• The Strategic Investment Board will meet on Monday 21 July 2025. View the agenda.
• The Cabinet Member for Customer and Communities Decisions will meet on Tuesday 22 July 2025. View the agenda.
• The Cabinet Member for Property, Waste and Infrastructure Decisions will meet on Tuesday 22 July 2025. View the agenda.
• The Cabinet will meet on Tuesday 22 July 2025. View the agenda.
• The Surrey Local Pension Board will meet on Friday 25 July 2025. View the agenda.
• The Planning and Regulatory Committee will meet on Wednesday 23 July 2025. View the agenda.
• The Cabinet Member for Children and Families, Lifelong learning Decisions will meet on Tuesday 22 July 2025. View the agenda.
• The Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth Decisions will meet on Tuesday 22 July 2025. View the agenda.

This week in Surrey:

Local Government Reorganisation Sparks Debate Over Financial Viability and Resident Engagement

The Surrey County Council met on July 8, 2025, to discuss the ongoing reorganisation of local government, sparking debate over the financial viability of different proposals and the level of resident engagement. Read the full story.

• Leader of the Council, Councillor Tim Oliver OBE, defended the council's recommendation for two new unitary councils, stating it was the only model that could deliver ongoing financial savings.
• Councillor Catherine Powell, Residents' Association and Independent Group Leader, raised concerns about the speed of the consultation and the lack of a resident-friendly template, arguing that the two unitary proposal sets the West up to fail because of debt.
• Councillor Paul Follows, Liberal Democrats Group Leader, criticised the county council for spending public money on what he described as one-sided propaganda campaigning, instead of informing residents on the substance of both bids.
• Councillor Robert King expressed concern that employees of Surrey County Council have been encouraged to fill out the survey on the grounds of supporting the two unitary option.
• Councillor Jonathan Essex, The Green Party Group Leader, asked about the latest negotiations with the government regarding Woking's council debt and the expected financial impact of the fairer funding review in Surrey.

The debate highlights the complex financial and logistical challenges of local government reorganisation, as well as the importance of ensuring that residents are fully informed and engaged in the process.

Council Approves Amendments to Constitution, Including Fire and Rescue Appeals

The council voted to approve amendments to the constitution, including changes to the Appeals and Representation Panel Terms of Reference and revised Financial Regulations. Read the full story.

• The amendments to the Appeals and Representations Panel's Terms of Reference were requested to bring the council's arrangements for appeals in relation to Surrey Fire and Rescue Service disciplinary matters and pensions into line with national legislation and best practice.
• The council's Financial Regulations were last updated in 2023, and the proposed amendments reflect the outcome of a review to ensure they remain appropriate and represent current practices and policies.

These amendments aim to ensure that the council's governance arrangements are up-to-date and in line with best practice, particularly in relation to the Fire and Rescue Service.

Council Passes Motion Opposing Part 3 of Planning and Infrastructure Bill

The council discussed a motion regarding the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, expressing concerns that Section 3 of the bill would damage efforts to protect and recover Surrey's nature. Read the full story.

• Councillor Jonathan Essex proposed the motion, stating that the bill dismantles key safeguards that have protected nature for decades, including removing key principles of environmental governance from the existing planning system.
• Councillor Marisa Heath, Cabinet Member for Environment, proposed amendments to the motion, which were accepted.
• The amended motion requests that the Leader of the Council write to the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, and relevant Secretaries of State, calling for the withdrawal of Part 3 of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, and to write to all of Surrey's MPs, asking them to oppose Part 3 of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill and, should these remain in the Bill, to vote against it at final reading.

The motion demonstrates the council's commitment to protecting Surrey's natural environment and its willingness to challenge government policies that could undermine these efforts.

Other Matters

• The council noted changes to cabinet portfolios and committee appointments, including Councillor Jonathan Hulley's appointment as the new Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Lifelong Learning. Read the full story.
• The Scrutiny Annual Report 2024/2025 was reviewed, highlighting areas of impact and good practice.
• The Audit and Governance Committee Annual Report 2024/25 was noted, outlining the work undertaken by the committee during the period June 2024 to May 2025.
• A statement was made regarding the withdrawal of the sale of Grafton Stable, and the area being passed to Surrey County Council’s countryside team to be managed as a green space open to the public.

Upcoming Meetings

• The Cabinet will meet on Tuesday 22 July 2025. View the agenda.
• The Farnham Board will meet on Friday 25 July 2025. View the agenda.
• The Surrey Local Firefighters' Pension Board will meet on Thursday 17 July 2025. View the agenda.
• The People, Performance and Development Committee will meet on Monday 14 July 2025. View the agenda.
• The Strategic Investment Board will meet on Monday 21 July 2025. View the agenda.
• The Surrey Local Pension Board will meet on Friday 25 July 2025. View the agenda.
• The Planning and Regulatory Committee will meet on Wednesday 23 July 2025. View the agenda.
• The Cabinet Member for Children and Families, Lifelong learning Decisions will meet on Tuesday 22 July 2025. View the agenda.
• The Cabinet Member for Property, Waste and Infrastructure Decisions will meet on Tuesday 22 July 2025. View the agenda.
• The Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth Decisions will meet on Tuesday 22 July 2025. View the agenda.
• The Cabinet Member for Customer and Communities Decisions will meet on Tuesday 22 July 2025. View the agenda.
• The Children, Families, Lifelong Learning and Culture Select Committee will meet on Wednesday 16 July 2025. View the agenda.

This week in Surrey:

Pension Fund Investments Under Scrutiny Amid Fossil Fuel Concerns

The Surrey Pension Fund Committee met on June 30, 2025, to discuss investment performance, responsible investment, and governance. Read the full story. A key focus was the Fund's approach to responsible investment, particularly in light of public concerns about investments in fossil fuels and arms.

• The committee was scheduled to respond to questions from the public, including whether continued investment in fossil fuels would support plastic production, and whether the committee would commit to stop investing in companies with connections to conflict in Gaza.
• The committee was also scheduled to discuss the Fund's Responsible Investment (RI) policy, which was up for annual review, and its commitment to a Net Zero date of 2050 or sooner.
• The Fund's value declined by 1.7% over a volatile quarter, to just over £6bn, but this was 20 basis points ahead of the benchmark return. Over the last 3 years the Fund has returned +4.5% p.a. The funding ratio was 150% at 31 March 2025.

Councillor Shasha Khan asked whether the committee would now commit to stop investing in QinetiQ, Chemring and Rolls-Royce, given the companies' connections to conflict in Gaza. This highlights the ethical considerations that the committee must balance when making investment decisions.

Council Scrutinises Property Maintenance Contract Amid Performance Issues

The Resources and Performance Select Committee met on July 2, 2025, to review the land and property maintenance contract with Mace Operate Limited. Read the full story. The committee was scheduled to review the details of the Facilities Management Contracts awarded to Mace Operate Limited, a strategic partner, on 16 November 2023. The report noted several issues during the mobilisation phase from November 2023 to December 2024, including:

• Developing and testing plans and processes proved resource intensive.
• As existing contracts were 'running down' from November 2023 to full handover to the Strategic Partner in July 2024, the suppliers became disinterested.
• High staff turnover led to a loss of knowledge and business continuity.
• The intranet platform providing access to the Service Helpdesk took longer to develop than anticipated.
• 'Buy Back' FM service users experienced limited functionality and an inability to access budget information following the transfer to the Strategic Partner's system.
• Delays to condition and life cycle surveys disrupted both mobilisation and ongoing service delivery.

The report concluded that the rationale for transforming the way the council operated its FM contracts was underpinned by the need to improve delivery, customer service and commercial awareness through a new model to deliver efficiencies and value for money through the supply chain.

Aviation Expansion Plans Raise Environmental Concerns

The Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee met on July 3, 2025, to discuss the council's involvement in aviation planning matters, focusing on Gatwick, Heathrow, and Farnborough airports. Read the full story. The report pack highlights that these airports, though not all located within Surrey, have a significant impact on the county.

• The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the council's involvement in aviation matters, focusing on environmental and ground-based transportation issues, as well as inward investment, economic benefits, and employment for Surrey residents.
• The report pack mentions that Surrey County Council has three full council resolutions regarding airport expansion, which recognise the economic benefits but require satisfactory resolution of environmental and surface access issues.
• Surrey County Council reportedly objected to the proposal from Farnborough Airport Limited to increase the caps on annual and non-weekday flights, change operational patterns, and increase the use of heavier aircraft, citing concerns about increased noise and a lack of demonstrated need.

The discussion will cover environmental and ground-based transportation issues, as well as inward investment, economic benefits, and employment for Surrey residents.

Other Matters

• The Surrey Pension Fund Committee was scheduled to note the government's response to the LGPS: Fit for the Future consultation, which was launched in November 2024 and its implications for the Surrey Pension Fund. Read the full story.
• The Resources and Performance Select Committee was scheduled to review the annual business plan of Surrey Property Group (SPG), approved at the Strategic Investment Board (SIB) on 16 June 2025. Read the full story.
• The committee will note the Cabinet's response to the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee report on the Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP). Read the full story.

Upcoming Meetings

• The Children, Families, Lifelong Learning and Culture Select Committee will meet on Wednesday 16 July 2025. View the agenda.
• The People, Performance and Development Committee will meet on Monday 14 July 2025. View the agenda.
• The Surrey Local Firefighters' Pension Board will meet on Thursday 17 July 2025. View the agenda.
• The Cabinet Member for Customer and Communities Decisions will meet on Tuesday 08 July 2025. View the agenda.
• The Audit and Governance Committee will meet on Wednesday 09 July 2025. View the agenda.
• The Adults and Health Select Committee will meet on Friday 11 July 2025. View the agenda.
• The Leader Decisions will meet on Monday 07 July 2025. View the agenda.
• The Council will meet on Tuesday 08 July 2025. View the agenda.

This week in Surrey:

Road Safety Measures Rejected Despite Resident Concerns

The Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth Decisions, Councillor Matt Furniss, declined to implement new traffic calming measures on Lee Street, Horley Row, and Mill Lane, as well as a pelican crossing on Meath Green Lane, despite petitions from hundreds of residents citing safety concerns. Read the full story.

• A petition with 210 signatures requested traffic calming on Lee Street, Horley Row, and Mill Lane, highlighting excessive speeds, with some vehicles recorded at over 90mph.
• A petition with 611 signatures requested a pelican crossing on Meath Green Lane outside Meath Green Junior School to protect children.
• The council cited compliance with existing speed limits based on traffic surveys, despite acknowledging that some drivers disregard these limits.
• Councillor Furniss suggested community speed watches as an alternative, shifting responsibility to residents.
• Councillor Steve Watson, a Hawley Town Councillor and Rygate-Bansett Borough Councillor for Hawley West, suggested a more holistic approach to traffic flow in the north of the town, considering the impact of the new Westville Park estate.

Critics argue that the council's reliance on average speed data fails to address the real dangers posed by speeding vehicles and puts vulnerable road users at risk, particularly children walking to school.

Council Sells Off Property, Transfers Land in Private Deals

Councillor Natalie Bramhall, Cabinet Member for Property, Waste and Infrastructure, approved the disposal of a residential property in East Horsley and the transfer of land in Epsom to Thames Water Authority, with financial details discussed in private. Read the full story.

• The council approved the sale of 26 St Martins Close, East Horsley, conditional on Halsey Garton Residential Ltd (HGR) surrendering its headlease.
• The Strategic Investment Board (SIB) agreed with HGR's strategy to dispose of properties not suitable for operational purposes and where there was inherent financial risk.
• The council approved the transfer of land at North Looe Sewage Pumping Station, Epsom, to Thames Water Authority to regularise ownership.

Transparency advocates may question the decision to exclude the public from discussions involving the financial details of these transactions, particularly given the council's financial challenges and the potential impact on residents.

Strategic Investment Board Approves Commercial Investment Principles

The Strategic Investment Board (SIB) approved six strategic principles to guide the council's commercial investments and the annual business plan for Connect2Surrey. Read the full story.

• Investments must deliver a financial return or provide a service.
• Services provided by Local Authority Trading Companies (LATCOs) must be subject to procurement or soft market testing¹.
• Risk monitoring should be in place for each LATCO, reviewed quarterly.
• Additional consideration should be given to potential changes due to Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).
• The board also approved the annual business plan for Connect2Surrey, recommending a review of the company's fee structure and overheads.

These principles aim to ensure that the council's commercial investments are financially sound and aligned with its strategic objectives, but critics may question whether they adequately address social and environmental concerns.

Children's Services Praised, But Care Leaver Support Lacking

The Cabinet noted the positive findings of a recent Ofsted inspection of Surrey's children's services, but acknowledged the need for improvement in supporting care leavers. Read the full story.

• The Ofsted report gave an overall grading of 'good' for the council's children's social care services.
• The report highlighted the political leadership in the council and the corporate services leadership are aligned in their aspiration to improve the experiences and opportunities for every child in Surrey.
• However, the report identified areas for improvement, including the number of care leavers not yet in education, training, and employment, and the equity of experiences of care leavers with regard to housing.

This highlights the ongoing challenges faced by care leavers in transitioning to independent living and the need for targeted support to ensure their success.

Street Works Task Force Continues Amid Utility Disruption

The Cabinet received an update on the Street Works Task Force, which aims to reduce the impact of roadworks on residents, particularly those caused by utility companies. Read the full story.

• Surrey faces exceptional pressure with utility works, with approximately 72 utility openings per kilometre.
• The task force includes 14 utility companies working with the council to improve communication and coordination.
• The council is lobbying for legislative changes to improve signage and develop joint protocols.
• The council has increased the number of live site inspections, leading to a reduction in highway occupation and resident complaints.

Despite these efforts, residents continue to experience significant disruption from roadworks, raising questions about the effectiveness of the task force and the need for stronger enforcement measures.

Weydon Academy Sports Facility Hours Extended Despite Noise Concerns

The Planning and Regulatory Committee overturned officer recommendations to refuse planning permission for applications relating to Weydon Academy to extend the hours of use for sports pitches and floodlighting. Read the full story.

• The committee approved the extension of sports pitch hours to 9.30pm on weekdays, despite concerns about noise impact on nearby residents.
• The committee also approved the extension of floodlight hours to 9.30pm on weekdays.
• Councillor Catherine Powell, Residents' Association and Independent Group Leader, declared a conflict of interest as a local member and spoke in support of the applications.

Critics argue that the committee prioritised the needs of the school over the well-being of residents, setting a precedent for future developments that could negatively impact residential areas.

Children's Home Approved in Camberley Amid Local Objections

The Planning and Regulatory Committee approved an application for a change of use to a children's home in Camberley, despite concerns from local residents and Councillor Trefor Hogg, County Councillor for Camberley East. Read the full story.

• The application sought permission to use the property as a children's home for four residents aged 10 to 17, with two overnight staff.
• Lisa Wade, Head of Service for Children's Residential in Surrey County Council, spoke in support of the application, aiming to dispel some of the myths about our children and young children, and therefore alleviate some of the concerns and the views that have been raised.
• Councillor Hogg raised concerns about the number of residential establishments in the area and the maintenance of the property.

While the council has a statutory duty to provide accommodation for children in care, some residents fear that the concentration of residential establishments in the area could negatively impact the community.

Other Matters

• The Cabinet received an update on the preparations for Surrey's devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR) programme. Read the full story.
• The Cabinet considered the Surrey School Organisation Plan covering the academic years from September 2025-2035, and recommended it to council for publication. Read the full story.
• The Planning and Regulatory Committee noted the content of the Authority Monitoring Report (AMR) 2023. Read the full story.
• The Joint Advisory Committee for the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (“Surrey Hills Board”) met, but no video was provided. Read the full story.
• The Cabinet Member for Customer and Communities Decisions meeting was cancelled. Read the full story.

Upcoming Meetings

• The Surrey Pension Fund Committee will meet on Monday 30 June 2025 to discuss investment performance, responsible investment, and governance matters. View the agenda.
• The Resources and Performance Select Committee will meet on Wednesday 02 July 2025. View the agenda.
• The Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee will meet on Thursday 03 July 2025. View the agenda.
• The Leader Decisions will meet on Monday 07 July 2025. View the agenda.
• The Cabinet Member for Customer and Communities Decisions will meet on Tuesday 08 July 2025. View the agenda.
• The Council will meet on Tuesday 08 July 2025. View the agenda.
• The Audit and Governance Committee will meet on Wednesday 09 July 2025. View the agenda.
• The Adults and Health Select Committee will meet on Friday 11 July 2025. View the agenda.