The Surrey County Council Cabinet met on Tuesday 28 July 2026 to discuss a range of important issues, including the transition of critical IT systems, SEND reforms, and the Best Start in Life local plan. Key decisions were made regarding the allocation of grant funding for SEND reforms and the endorsement of the Best Start in Life local plan.

Transition of Critical IT Systems

Councillor Steven McCormick, Chair of the Resources and Performance Select Committee, presented a report on Surrey County Council's internal preparations for transitioning critical IT systems to successor authorities. The committee supported a Minimal Viable Change Approach to freeze non-essential IT development. However, they recommended that Surrey County Council produce a clear handover risk register for its transitional IT systems to prevent successor councils from being blindsided by deferred technical maintenance. The committee also requested a joint written update by the end of July on key IT portals for children's services, specifically for SCND fostering and schools, to allow the Children, Families and Lifelong Learning (CFLL) Committee to evaluate service impacts. Furthermore, they recommended tracking a dedicated Tranche 1 IT-critical path for Surrey County Council systems, ensuring it feeds into existing project management office structures. Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, Councillor David Lewis, welcomed the recommendations, acknowledging the need for clarity around governance and agreeing to work on the recommendations and report back on progress.

SEND Reforms and Alternative Provision

Councillor Catherine Powell, Chair of the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning & Culture Select Committee, raised concerns regarding SEND and alternative provision sufficiency and unmet needs. She highlighted significant numbers of children without key stage transfer places and a lack of focus on immediate and ongoing issues. Councillor Powell advocated for analysis based on school place planning areas rather than districts and boroughs, and stressed the need to identify where new infrastructure is required. She also raised concerns about communication with parents and providers regarding Education Other Than At School (EOTAS) and Alternative Provision (AP) for September, urging reassurance that existing provision would continue. Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Lifelong Learning, Councillor Helen Clack, assured that all questions would be noted and responded to, and provided an update on mainstream latent capacity analysis, geographic disparities in SEND, and the expansion of the PINs programme. She also detailed efforts to address alternative provision, including establishing a dedicated EHCP coordination officer team and commissioning additional in-person opportunities.

Best Start in Life Local Plan

Councillor Maureen Atterwell, Deputy Cabinet Member for Youth Services, presented the Best Start Local Plan, which outlines how Surrey will support babies, young children, and families from pregnancy to age five. The plan aims to reduce inequalities and give every Surrey child the best possible start in life, with ambitious targets for early development and free school meal eligibility. The plan includes the establishment of family hubs in Redhill and Guildford, acting as a single point of contact for various services. Councillor Atterwell identified risks such as workforce shortages and the impact of local government reorganisation, but confirmed clear mitigations and a funding of £7.6 million over three years. Councillor Powell, Chair of the Select Committee, raised concerns about missing information regarding income deprivation affecting children and the limited mention of the third sector's role in the report. A compromise was reached to amend Recommendation 2 to include consultation with the Select Committee in the development and refinement of the plan.

Experts at Hand Grant for SEND Reform

Councillor Claire Curran, Deputy Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Lifelong Learning, presented a report seeking approval for the delegation of authority to implement the Department for Education's Experts at Hand programme. Surrey is set to receive £8.3 million to recruit specialist professionals, including educational psychologists, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, and specialist teachers, to support mainstream schools in meeting the needs of children with additional needs. This initiative aims to promote inclusion and reduce the need for specialist placements. Councillor Powell sought reassurance on engagement with schools and enquired about the potential for skills development initiatives to address recruitment challenges. Councillor Clack confirmed that schools are involved in the planning and that recruitment is a priority, with plans to update the Select Committee on progress.

Minerals and Waste Local Plan

Councillor Marisa Heath, Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, presented a procedural report on the Minerals and Waste Local Plan. Due to changes in the planning system, Surrey County Council must begin a new plan-making process with a structured timetable. The decision was to allow the commencement of this work and the publication of required notices and timetables, ensuring legal compliance and providing certainty for residents and future unitary authorities. This report does not approve new planning policies or identify future sites; that will occur later following extensive public consultation.

Disposal of Rentwood and 37 School Lane, Fetcham

Councillor Natalie Bramhall, Cabinet Member for Property, Waste and Infrastructure, presented a report on the proposed freehold disposal of Rentwood and 37 School Lane, Fetcham. Rentwood, a former adult social care office, is vacant and requires significant capital expenditure. 37 School Lane is a residential property previously declared surplus. Both properties are accessed via a shared driveway and are allocated for residential development under the Mole Valley District Local Plan. Cabinet approved the declaration of these assets as surplus to operational requirements and the freehold sale, subject to conditions outlined in a confidential Part 2 report.

2026/27 Financial Report (Month 2)

Councillor David Lewis, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, presented the financial report for the end of May 2026. The Council was forecasting a slight revenue overspend of just under £1.8 million, primarily in resources due to the disaggregation of Orbis arrangements. Net weighted risks had increased to £28.4 million. On a positive note, over 73% of target efficiencies had been achieved or were flagged for achievement. The report also detailed the allocation of new grant funding, including £0.187 million for gambling harms prevention, £10.485 million for the Families First Partnership Programme, and £1.3 million from the Department for Transport for safety improvements on the A319. The Dedicated Schools Grant was forecasting an overspend of £135 million, with a high-needs stability grant expected to cover 90% of the accrued deficit. Cabinet approved the recommendations, including noting the financial position, allocating grant funding, and approving the receipt of funding for the A319 works.