The Leader Decisions meeting scheduled for Wednesday 18 March 2026 was set to consider the proposed amalgamation of two infant schools and the signing of updated Better Care Fund agreements. The meeting agenda also included provisions for members' and the public's questions.

Better Care Fund Agreements

The meeting was scheduled to address the signing of updated Surrey's Better Care Fund (BCF) s75 agreements. These agreements, which were updated during 2025 to reflect new financial commitments, are formally signed off by the Health and Well Being Board (HWB) to ensure alignment with local health and social care needs. Previously, this responsibility lay with the Committees in Common (CiC), which had no scheduled meetings and had not convened since July 2024. Given the urgency to sign the agreements before the end of the financial year, the matter was placed on the agenda for the Leader's Decision-Making meeting. The BCF aims to support Surrey County Council's objective of No One Left Behind by promoting independence, preventing hospital admissions, facilitating timely hospital discharges, and tackling health inequalities.

Amalgamation of St Michael's C of E Infant School and Newdigate C of E Infant School

A significant item on the agenda was the decision on whether to proceed to statutory notices regarding the proposed amalgamation of St Michael's C of E Infant School and Newdigate C of E Infant School. This proposal arises from a notable fall in pupil numbers across Surrey, with a decrease of 1,424 Reception-aged children between October 2016 and October 2025. This decline in student numbers impacts school funding, affecting resources, staffing, and operational capabilities.

A consultation analysis document was provided, detailing the responses received between 2 February 2026 and 6 March 2026. Of the 188 responses, 90% did not support the proposal, 5% supported it, and 5% were unsure. Key concerns raised by respondents included the reputation and importance of St Michael's to the community, dissatisfaction with Newdigate C of E as the proposed alternative school due to distance and travel concerns, and the perceived benefits of a smaller school environment. Some respondents felt the closure was premature and that the school had not been given sufficient time or effective promotion to attract more pupils. There were also concerns about the impact on children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), the loss of a flexi-schooling option, and the importance of maintaining a Church of England school in the area. Conversely, some comments acknowledged the falling birth rate and the lack of viability of the school as reasons for the proposal.

The agenda also included a public question from Geoff Black, who asked whether Surrey County Council would publish a single decision evidence pack detailing options appraisal, access and inclusion impacts, and whether the decision should be deferred to the new East Surrey Council. The reply indicated that the proposals from the Parents and Community Action Group were reviewed as part of the Consultation Analysis. It also stated that all required impacts under the Department for Education's statutory guidance had been considered, though pupil-level information prevented full publication. The reply addressed the balance of denominational provision, noting the Diocese of Guildford's support for the amalgamation. It also detailed travel information, stating that for most pupils travelling to St Michael's, nearer alternative schools exist. The response also discussed the presumption against the closure of rural schools, the likely effect on the local community, transport costs, potential increases in motor vehicle use, and alternatives to discontinuance, including academy status and federation. The current federation with Newdigate C of E Infant School was noted as having worked well but is now jeopardised by St Michael's low pupil numbers. Various other alternatives, such as a nursery, SEND unit, varied curriculum offers, and community services, were considered unviable due to site constraints. The response concluded that the school is surplus to requirements, with ample capacity in other local schools to accommodate displaced pupils. It also stated that the decision should not be deferred due to the ongoing Local Government Reorganisation.