The Surrey County Council meeting on Tuesday 13 October 2026 addressed the upcoming local government reorganisation, the appointment of an external auditor, and amendments to the council's constitution. Key discussions included the opt-in to a national auditor appointment scheme for new authorities, changes to the scheme of delegation for planning applications, and the 2026-27 Youth Justice Plan.

Local Government Reorganisation and Future Planning

The council discussed the significant transition towards two new unitary councils, East and West Surrey, with vesting day approaching in April 2027. Leader of the Council, Tim Oliver OBE, highlighted the ongoing work to ensure a smooth handover of services and acknowledged the dedication of staff during this complex period. He also spoke about the potential establishment of a Foundational Strategic Authority (FSA) and the prospect of a directly elected Mayor for Surrey by 2028, aiming to enhance local economic growth and strategic decision-making.

Paul Follows, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Group and Leader of the Official Opposition, expressed concerns about the financial inequalities between the two new authorities and the sustainability of current highway spending, suggesting that foundations for the new councils might be built upon sand. Catherine Powell, Leader of the Residents' Association and Independent Group, voiced concerns about the ambitious timeline for disaggregating services and the strain on officers, noting that the overall project risk profile was now red.

Audit and Governance: External Auditor Appointment

The Audit and Governance Committee recommended that the Combined Fire and Rescue Authority (CFRA) and the Single Purpose Pension Authority (SPPA) opt into the Public Sector Audit Appointments (PSAA) sector-led auditor appointment arrangements for the period 2027/28 to 2029/30. This decision aims to ensure consistency, minimise administrative burden, and support compliance with statutory audit requirements, aligning with the approach taken by approximately 98% of eligible public bodies nationally. Victor Lewinsky, Chairman of the Audit and Governance Committee, introduced the report, emphasizing the legal requirement to appoint an external auditor by 31 December of the preceding financial year. The council was recommended to approve these arrangements.

Amendments to the Constitution and Planning Delegation

Amendments to the Council's Constitution were discussed to align with the new national scheme of delegation for planning functions, effective from 31 October 2026, as outlined in the Town and Country Planning (Discharge of Local Planning Authority Functions) (England) Regulations 2026. Councillor Keith Witham expressed strong opposition to these changes, arguing they reduced the powers of elected councillors in favour of unelected officials and represented government overreach. Councillor George Potter agreed with the sentiment of protest but ultimately supported the motion, stating it was a legal requirement that had to be implemented. Councillor Marisa Heath, Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, acknowledged the frustration but stressed the need to comply with legislation to avoid judicial review and protect the planning team. The amendments will mean that certain planning applications, including minor commercial and residential applications, will now be determined by officers, while larger applications will be subject to a gateway test agreed by a nominated officer and member before being referred to the Planning and Regulatory Committee. The council voted to approve these changes.

Youth Justice Plan 2026/27

The Cabinet recommended that the Council approve the 2026/27 Youth Justice Plan. The plan, developed in partnership with police, probation, health, and children's services, highlights Surrey's strong performance with low rates of first-time entrants, reoffending, and custody. It focuses on prevention, diversion, and a child-first approach, with key priorities including reducing re-offending, addressing serious youth violence, and improving educational outcomes. The plan is fully funded within the 2026/27 budget and confirmed Youth Justice Board grant.

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Alternative Provision (AP)

The Cabinet approved the allocation of £26.9 million in capital funding for SEND and AP provision. This included the allocation of £8.1 million of alternative funding to West Surrey for complex Autism Spectrum Condition provision and the split of the remaining £18.78 million of High Needs Provision Capital Allocation Grant and Alternative Provision Capital Funding between East and West Surrey on a 45% and 55% basis, respectively. This funding is intended to create up to 452 specialist places by 2027/28. Councillor Catherine Powell, Chairman of the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning & Culture Select Committee, noted that despite this investment, significant shortfalls in specialist places would remain, and welcomed the inclusion of information on potential future projects. The Leader, Tim Oliver OBE, highlighted the substantial increase in EHCP applications and the ongoing need for prevention and early intervention strategies.

Other Discussions

• Leader's Statement: Tim Oliver OBE's statement covered the progress of local government reorganisation, the potential for a Mayor of Surrey, the council's financial stability, and recent positive inspections of services like Surrey Fire and Rescue Service and the Prison Social Care Team.
• Members' Questions: A wide range of questions were raised by councillors on topics including the Beryl bike scheme, road safety, bus shelters, reception class capacity, the Surrey Museums Partnership, and the need for DBS checks for councillors.
• Statements by Members: Councillor David Lewis made a statement celebrating the opening of a new skate park in Cobham, highlighting it as a successful community project supported by Your Fund Surrey.
• Cabinet Member Briefings: Cabinet Members provided updates on their portfolios, including highways, transport, economic growth, property, waste, infrastructure, and health and communities.
• Personal Statement: Councillor George Potter made a personal statement apologising for naming an officer in a previous meeting without affording them the right of reply, acknowledging a breach of the Member Code of Conduct.