The Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee of Surrey County Council met on Friday 20 March 2026 to discuss performance assurance, preparations for local government reorganisation, and strategic recommendations for climate action. Key decisions included noting the Q3 and Q4 performance assurance report and encouraging the sharing of performance improvement plans with successor authorities, and agreeing to issue a summary of Surrey County Council's climate action achievements for social media.

Performance Assurance Report (Q2 2025/26)

The committee reviewed the Q2 2025/26 Performance Assurance Report, which detailed the council's performance across various areas. Several red KPIs were discussed, including those related to the carriageway surface dressing programme, where delivery fell below target due to unforeseen issues and deferred schemes, primarily caused by poor weather conditions. While some schemes were pre-patched, they could not be fully surface dressed within the operational window. The committee was assured that deferred schemes had been included in the 2026-27 programme.

Regarding highway maintenance, the committee noted that the annual target for the Highways Maintenance Programme delivery was 95%, with quarterly targets used for tracking progress. The report indicated a green RAG rating for highway maintenance, with 75% of the programme delivered by the end of Q3 and on track to meet the year-end target.

Concerns were raised about pothole repairs, with a question about repeat visits within the two-year repair guarantee. It was explained that a manual process was in place to identify potential failed repairs, with 15 confirmed failures out of 1139 checked defects since January 2025. The difficulty in distinguishing between a failed repair and a new defect in a deteriorating road was highlighted. The committee was informed that future use of AI in highway safety inspections would improve the systematic identification of failed repairs. Additionally, a monthly audit regime had identified 75 failed repairs in the previous month due to quality or workmanship issues, which were subsequently repaired by the contractor at their cost.

The committee also discussed the performance of birth and death registrations. While performance had improved, death registrations continued to fall short of the national target. It was explained that staffing capacity was no longer a barrier, and remaining delays were often due to factors outside the council's control, such as delays in receiving medical certification and personal circumstances of bereaved families. The five-day registration period was noted as a nationally prescribed target.

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service's performance was also reviewed. The committee heard about efforts to address staffing vacancies, particularly for the on-call workforce, and the impact of national recruitment challenges. Recruitment campaigns and more flexible on-call contracts were being implemented. The service was also investing in equipment, training, and specialist capabilities to address climate-related risks like wildfires and flooding, as outlined in the Community Risk Management Plan.

Waste management performance was reported as strong, with high recycling rates. Arrangements were in place to ensure a seamless transfer of waste disposal services to the new unitary authorities.

The committee noted the report and encouraged the sharing of key performance improvement plans with the Shadow Authorities to support service continuity through local government reorganisation.

Local Government Reorganisation Transition Progress Update

The committee received an update on preparations for local government reorganisation (LGR), which will see Surrey County Council replaced by two new unitary authorities, East and West Surrey, on 1 April 2027. The report outlined the approach to devolution and LGR, the work of the implementation team, and the discovery phase for county council services.

It was explained that the presumption is for county council services to disaggregate into the two new authorities. However, some services may require temporary hosting arrangements with one of the new authorities if full disaggregation is not possible by Vesting Day. Fire and rescue services were identified as an example of a service that would likely remain on a countywide footprint.

Regarding Trading Standards, the proposal is for it to remain a joint service with Buckinghamshire Council through Vesting Day. The new local authorities will then decide on their long-term arrangements, with a likely scenario of one Surrey authority hosting the team while maintaining disaggregated offices in both East and West Surrey. Learning from Buckinghamshire's experience with LGR was being incorporated.

The committee discussed the vulnerability of small specialist teams within areas like flood risk management, planning, highways, and waste. Steps are being taken to mitigate these risks through knowledge sharing, clear documentation of processes, and, if necessary, temporary or permanent hosting arrangements for services that cannot be safely and legally disaggregated by Vesting Day.

The transition of contracts was also addressed, with a focus on ensuring continuity of service. Various approaches, including novation, disaggregation, or hosting by one authority and being bought into by both, are being considered. Efforts are being made to ensure no contracts expire around Vesting Day.

The committee was informed about preparations for the Registration and Nationality Service, with a focus on ensuring statutory officer posts remain filled and compliant. Temporary hosting arrangements for statutory officers are being considered while recruitment for the new unitaries takes place. Engagement with the General Registrar's Office is ongoing to ensure the new registration schemes are approved in time for Vesting Day.

For emergency management and resilience, a programme team has been established to ensure the new authorities meet their duties as category one responders under the Civil Contingencies Act. This includes planning for emergency response, business continuity, and events management, with a focus on training and exercising.

The governance of Surrey Fire and Rescue Service post-LGR was discussed. While a mayoral strategic authority was initially considered, the preferred model is a combined Fire and Rescue Authority, with representation from each of the new unitary authorities.

Steps are being taken to prevent statutory capability gaps in safer communities services, particularly for high-risk domestic abuse and community safety. Extended contracts for domestic abuse outreach services and refuge providers have been awarded to go beyond Vesting Day, and the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) for high-risk domestic abuse cases will continue.

Your Fund Surrey, a significant funding initiative, is nearing completion. Monitoring agreements are in place for ongoing projects, and work will be done with the new unitaries to explain the investment and ensure its continued delivery.

The committee noted the report and the progress made in preparing for LGR.

Strategic Recommendations for Climate Action

The committee considered a report outlining strategic recommendations for climate action to inform future decision-making by the new unitary authorities. The recommendations are evidence-based, informed by engagement with residents, partners, and experts, and highlight the role of local authorities in supporting carbon reduction, climate resilience, and wider social, economic, and health outcomes.

The Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning emphasised the importance of maintaining momentum on climate action, noting that the council had already addressed the low-hanging fruit and was now facing more complex challenges. The aim is to provide a coherent and understandable handover to the new authorities, acknowledging that they will have significant workloads and potentially new members unfamiliar with the background. Barriers such as a lack of coherent funding and national investment were highlighted.

The committee discussed how the strategic recommendations would be fed into the new authorities, with the intention of officially sending the approved document to them. The Cabinet Member expressed a desire to create connections and facilitate meetings between current and future elected members and officers to ensure a smooth transition and continued focus on climate goals.

The continuity of existing services, such as the Warm Homes Grant, was discussed. It was stated that most projects related to services delivered with boroughs and districts, including the Warm Homes Grant, are expected to continue and be handed over to the new authorities. For capital projects, the focus is on completing feasibility and design work before Vesting Day to provide shovel-ready projects for the new authorities.

The committee debated whether the new unitary authorities should formally recommit to Surrey's existing net zero targets for 2030 and the 2050 national targets. The consensus was that they would need to recommit to these goals, although the pace of their implementation would be a decision for the elected members of the new authorities.

Surrey's position in climate action compared to other areas and national targets was discussed. While direct comparisons of emission reductions are difficult, Surrey's performance was noted as strong in areas such as building decarbonisation, engagement, and waste reduction. The council has achieved a 21% emission reduction across the county and a 47% reduction as an organisation since 2019. The council's work on bus decarbonisation and active travel infrastructure was highlighted as areas of good national standing.

The committee discussed the transition of partnerships with environmentally related groups. It was noted that many partnerships are already collaborative with boroughs and districts, and strong handover plans are being developed for the new authorities.

The Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning shared what they were most proud of regarding the council's climate action work. This included achieving consistency in the message and actions around climate change and net zero across the authority, leading the country in work with schools on green flags and eco-schools, significant savings for residents through fuel poverty initiatives, and finding innovative solutions to challenges with limited funding. The work on countryside preservation, including tree planting, was also highlighted.

The committee agreed to two recommendations: to welcome the report and note the strategic recommendations for climate action, and to encourage the maintenance of Surrey County Council's delivery of climate programmes during the shadow year, developing clear handover documentation. A third recommendation was added to issue a summary of Surrey County Council's achievements on social media.

Action Tracker and Forward Work Programme

The committee reviewed the action tracker and forward work programme and noted its contents.

Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting of the committee was scheduled for Thursday, 2 July 2026.