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Cabinet - Tuesday, 28 July 2026 2.00 pm
July 28, 2026 at 2:00 pm Cabinet View on council website Watch video of meeting Read transcript (Professional subscription required)Summary
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The Surrey County Council Cabinet met on Tuesday 28 July 2026. The Cabinet endorsed the Best Start in Life
local plan to improve early years outcomes and approved the commencement of preparation for a new Minerals and Waste Local Plan. The Cabinet also noted the Council's forecast revenue and capital budget positions, approved the freehold sale of two council-owned properties, and allocated specific grant funding for various initiatives.
Best Start in Life Local Plan Endorsed
The Cabinet endorsed the Surrey Best Start in Life
Local Plan, a strategic framework aimed at improving early years outcomes for children from pregnancy to age five. This plan integrates health, public health, early education, childcare, early help, and community services, establishing a network of Family Hubs to offer universal and targeted support. The plan acknowledges Surrey's early years targets set by the Department for Education (DfE), aiming for 80% of all children to achieve a Good Level of Development, and 53.4% of children eligible for Free School Meals to achieve the same. Cabinet agreed to delegate authority to the Executive Director of Children, Families and Lifelong Learning (CFLL), in consultation with the Cabinet Member for CFLL and the Chair of the CFLLC Select Committee, to continue to develop and refine the plan, allocating funding from the Best Start Family Hub and Healthy Babies
grant. Councillor Catherine Powell, Chair of the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning & Culture Select Committee, raised concerns about the plan's reliance on the third sector and the mapping of deprivation data. A compromise was reached to include the Select Committee Chair in consultations for refining the plan.
New Minerals and Waste Local Plan Preparation to Commence
The Cabinet agreed to commence the preparation of a new-style Minerals and Waste Local Plan, aligning with the government's updated plan-making system. This is a legal obligation for Surrey County Council as the Minerals and Waste Planning Authority. The new plan will replace existing, outdated plans and will guide future minerals and waste development in the county. Authority was delegated to the Director for Environment and Planning, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, to approve preliminary stages, including the launch of a scoping consultation in December 2026. This process is crucial for ensuring legal compliance and providing certainty for residents and future unitary authorities.
Financial Reports and Grant Allocations Approved
The Cabinet noted the Council's forecast revenue budget and capital budget positions for the year. The report highlighted that 73.7% of targeted efficiencies were on track for delivery.
Several specific funding allocations were approved:
- £0.187 million of new Gambling Harms Prevention Grant funding from the Department for Health & Social Care was allocated to the Council's Public Health budget.
- £10.485 million from the Section 31 Children, Families and Youth Grant was approved for use in 2026/27 to support Surrey's Families First Partnership Programme. Future allocations will be part of the budget setting process for the new East and West Surrey authorities.
- £1.3 million in funding from the Department for Transport was approved for investment in safety improvements on the A319 Chertsey Road between Chobham and Ottershaw.
Disposal of Council Assets Approved
The Cabinet approved the freehold sale of two council-owned properties:
- Rentwood and 37 School Lane, Fetcham: These assets were declared surplus to operational requirements. The sale is conditional upon the surrender of a headlease held by Halsey Garton Residential Ltd (HGR). Authority was delegated to finalise the transaction.
- Park Lodge, Dorking: This vacant property, requiring significant capital expenditure, was declared surplus and approved for freehold sale. Authority was delegated to finalise the transaction.
SEND Reform: Experts at Hand Grant
The Cabinet noted the receipt of an £8.3 million grant from the Department for Education (DfE) for the Experts at Hand
programme, a key component of national SEND reforms. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director of CFLL, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for CFLL, to allocate this funding in line with Surrey's SEND Reform plan. This funding is crucial for recruiting specialist professionals to support mainstream schools in meeting the needs of children with additional needs and is also linked to resolving a significant portion of the Dedicated Schools Grant deficit.
Reports from Select Committees Noted
The Cabinet noted reports from the Resources and Performance Select Committee regarding the transition of critical IT systems and the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning & Culture Select Committee concerning SEND and alternative provision sufficiency. The Cabinet acknowledged the recommendations and committed to providing written responses to further questions raised.
Other Decisions
- Cabinet Member of the Month: The Cabinet noted the update on the work of Councillor Helyn Clack, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Lifelong Learning.
- Leader / Deputy Leader / Cabinet Member/ Strategic Investment Board Decisions: The Cabinet noted delegated decisions taken since the last meeting.
- Home to School Travel Assistance (Under 16) Amendments: Cabinet approved targeted amendments to the
Home to School Travel Assistance Policy (Under 16)
to ensure compliance with statutory guidance and improve decision-making consistency. - Commissioning of Statutory School Improvement Services: The Cabinet agreed the preferred option for the delivery of statutory school improvement services from September 2026, involving a new contract with a Teckal-compliant SAfE organisation, subject to SAfE achieving compliance. A contingency plan for in-house delivery was also agreed if SAfE did not meet the deadline.
- Adult Skills Funding Awards: Delegated authority was agreed for approving funding awards for adult skills provision.
- Securing a Foundation Strategic Authority for Surrey: The Cabinet noted discussions regarding the potential creation of a foundation strategic authority for Surrey.
- 2026/27 Month 1 Financial Performance Report: The Cabinet noted the financial position at the end of April 2026 and approved updates to the capital programme.
Two urgent items regarding the grant of new leases at 12-15 High Street, Winchester, were withdrawn.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Disposal of Rentwood and 37 School Lane, Fetcham
Recommendations ApprovedSurrey Council Cabinet decided to approve recommendations on 28/07/2026. The decision is subject to call-in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee.
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The Cabinet of Surrey Council decided to withdraw the grant of two new leases at 12-15 High Street, Winchester. This decision was made on 28/07/2026.
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EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC
Recommendations Approved -
Petitions
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Surrey Council on Tuesday 28 July 2026 approved recommendations regarding petitions.
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Procedural Matters
Recommendations Approved -
Minutes of Previous Meeting: 30 JUNE 2026
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Surrey Council on Tuesday 28 July 2026 agreed the minutes of the previous meeting as a correct record.
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The Cabinet of Surrey Council decided to withdraw an item on 28/07/2026. The item concerned the grant of two new leases at 12-15 High Street, Winchester.
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Members' Questions
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Surrey Council on Tuesday 28 July 2026 approved recommendations. There were no formal decisions recorded.
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Cabinet Member of the Month
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Surrey Council noted the Cabinet Member of the Month update on 28 July 2026.
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Leader / Deputy Leader / Cabinet Member/ Strategic Investment Board Decisions Taken Since the Last Cabinet Meeting
Recommendations ApprovedSurrey Cabinet noted delegated decisions taken since its last meeting on 28/07/2026. Recommendations were approved.
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Minerals and Waste Local Plan
Recommendations ApprovedSurrey Cabinet approved commencing preparation of a new Minerals and Waste Local Plan on 28/07/2026. The Cabinet delegated authority to the Director for Environment and Planning, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, to approve the preliminary stages, including the launch of scoping consultation in December 2026 and publication of updates to the Local Plan Timetable.
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Representations received on reports to be considered in private
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Surrey Council on Tuesday 28 July 2026 approved recommendations.
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Disposal of Rentwood and 37 School Lane, Fetcham
Recommendations ApprovedSurrey Cabinet declared Rentwood and 37 School Lane, Fetcham surplus to operational requirements and approved their freehold sale on 28/07/2026. Cabinet accepted the surrender of Halsey Garton Residential Ltd's interest and delegated authority to the Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director of Resources to finalise the transaction.
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Apologies for Absence
Information OnlyThe Cabinet of Surrey Council received apologies for absence. This was recorded as information only on 28/07/2026.
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Best start in life local plan
Recommendations ApprovedSurrey Cabinet endorsed the Surrey Best Start Local Plan as the strategic framework for improving early years outcomes on 28/07/2026. Cabinet agreed to delegate authority to the Executive Director of Children, Families and Lifelong Learning to develop and refine the plan, allocate funding from the Best Start Family Hub and Healthy Babies grant, and agree associated contracts. Cabinet also acknowledged Surrey’s early years targets set by the Department of Education.
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Reports from Select Committees, Task Groups and other Committees of the Council
Recommendations ApprovedSurrey Cabinet noted the Select Committee reports on 28 July 2026.
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2026/27 MONTH 2 (MAY) FINANCIAL REPORT
Recommendations ApprovedSurrey Cabinet on 28/07/2026 approved the month end budget report. Cabinet noted the Council's forecast revenue and capital budget positions. Cabinet allocated £0.187m of Gambling Harms Prevention Grant funding to the Public Health budget, approved the use of £10.485m Section 31 Children, Families and Youth Grant for 2026/27, and approved the receipt of £1.3m from the Department for Transport for A319 Chertsey Road improvements.
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Declarations of Interest
For DeterminationThe Cabinet of Surrey Council on 28 July 2026 recorded an outcome of For Determination. There were no formal decisions made.
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Public Questions
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Surrey Council on Tuesday 28 July 2026 approved recommendations regarding public questions.
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SEND Reform: Experts at Hand Grant
Recommendations ApprovedSurrey Cabinet approved the receipt of the Experts at Hand grant on 28/07/2026. Cabinet agreed to delegate authority to the Executive Director of Children, Families and Lifelong Learning to allocate grant funding and negotiate agreements, including joint commissioning with the ICB and signing a Memorandum of Understanding.
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