Decision

To approve entry into a Civic Lab Research Collaboration Agreement between Waverley Borough Council, Guildford Borough Council and the University of Surrey.
The agreement establishes a strategic framework for collaboration through a “Civic Lab” based at the University’s Institute for Sustainability. The partnership will bring together academic researchers, council officers and policymakers to identify and address real-world local government challenges, including (but not limited to) sustainability, infrastructure, service delivery and economic development.
The agreement does not commit the Council to any specific programme of work or funding at this stage. Instead, it enables individual research projects to be developed and agreed on a case-by-case basis through separate Project Contracts. Any financial commitments arising from individual projects will be considered and approved in accordance with the Council’s governance and budget-setting processes at the time.
The intended outcomes of the agreement include:
- supporting evidence-based policy and service innovation
- strengthening links between the Council and the University sector
- enabling access to academic expertise and research capability
Entering into this agreement provides a flexible and low-risk mechanism to explore collaborative research opportunities while retaining control over future commitments.
Legal Services are authorised to finalise and execute the agreement on behalf of the Council.

Reasons for the decision

To enable collaboration with the University of Surrey to support evidence-based research, innovation and service improvement, while retaining flexibility to approve individual projects and associated funding on a case-by-case basis.

Alternative options considered

None.