The Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee met on Thursday 3 July 2025 to discuss the performance of Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, receive an update on the council's involvement in aviation matters, and review the forward work programme. Key decisions included noting the significant progress made by Surrey Fire and Rescue Service in addressing recommendations from a HMICFRS inspection and receiving updates on airport expansion plans at Gatwick, Heathrow, and Farnborough.

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service Performance Report

The committee received a comprehensive report on the performance of Surrey Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) for the period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. Kevin Deanus, Cabinet Member for Fire, Rescue and Resilience, highlighted the service's commitment to delivering a high-performing, accountable, and community-focused fire and rescue provision. A significant achievement noted was the completion of the action plan addressing a cause for concern identified in a previous inspection by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS), with all actions completed by October 2024. Furthermore, 92% of the Inspection Improvement Plan (IIP) deliverables were completed, with the remaining 12 on track for completion within the next two months.

Key areas of improvement included the development of an enhanced Risk-Based Inspection Programme (RBIP), advancements in operational readiness and training, and targeted prevention plans for vulnerable communities. The committee heard that the Prevent and Protect system went live on 1 April 2025, improving access to risk information. Safe and Well Visits (SAWV) saw a 22% increase in delivery compared to the previous year, with 6,699 visits completed.

However, some Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) remained a concern. The percentage of stage 1 complaints responded to within the target timescale was 77%, below the target of 90%. Representation of declared disabled staff had dropped to 4.7%, and female representation in the workforce also saw a slight decrease to 16.3%, both below their respective targets. Performance conversations completed by staff also fell short of the 100% target, with 79% completed.

The committee was assured that SFRS is dedicated to enhancing its services, ensuring community safety, and fostering an inclusive work environment. The report also detailed progress on various Areas for Improvement (AFIs) identified by HMICFRS, covering risk management, prevention, protection, response to emergencies, and resource management.

Update on Surrey County Council's Involvement in Aviation Planning Matters

Marisa Heath, Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, and Matt Furniss, Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth, provided an update on the council's involvement in aviation planning matters, focusing on Gatwick, Heathrow, and Farnborough airports. The report highlighted the complex nature of aviation expansion, with significant environmental and surface access issues requiring careful consideration. Surrey County Council has three full council resolutions pertaining to airport expansion, acknowledging economic benefits while stressing the need for satisfactory environmental and surface access solutions.

Gatwick Airport: Gatwick Airport Limited (GAL) submitted an application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) for the routine use of its northern standby runway in 2023. While the Secretary of State for Transport issued a minded to grant consent letter in February 2025, the final decision is expected on 27 October 2025. The proposals aim to increase capacity to 80.2 million passengers per annum by 2047, a significant rise from pre-pandemic levels. Surrey County Council, as a host authority and landowner, has raised concerns regarding the needs case, phasing of surface infrastructure, transport modelling, parking, greenhouse gas emissions, noise, and cumulative effects on local communities. The council, along with other local authorities, has been actively involved in the DCO examination process, advocating for robust mitigation measures and an environmentally managed growth approach. A S106 Agreement has been signed with GAL to secure mitigation and enhancement measures, including funding for an Employment, Skills and Business Strategy.

Heathrow Airport: Following the Government's announcement of support for a third runway, Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL) intends to submit draft proposals to the Government in the summer, with a DCO application expected in due course. HAL has also announced plans for facility upgrades and transport network investment within the airport boundary. Surrey County Council's position, based on a 2018 Full Council resolution, acknowledges Heathrow's economic importance but urges that environmental and infrastructure issues be satisfactorily addressed. Concerns have been raised regarding surface access, particularly the need for a southern rail access scheme, air quality impacts on AQMA areas, greenhouse gas emissions, noise, and compensation for affected residents. The council anticipates working collaboratively with neighbouring authorities through the Heathrow Strategic Planning Group (HSPG) on any future DCO submissions.

Farnborough Airport: Farnborough Airport Limited submitted a planning application in November 2023 to vary conditions on its existing planning permission, seeking to increase caps on annual and non-weekday flights, alter operational patterns, and allow heavier aircraft. Surrey County Council objected to the proposal, citing concerns about increased noise and air pollution over Surrey, particularly at weekends, and questioning the demonstrated need for increased business aviation flights. The council also highlighted potential impacts on climate change, transport infrastructure, air quality, and biodiversity. Rushmoor Borough Council is currently in discussions with the applicant regarding the determination of the application.

Airspace Change: The report also addressed the national airspace modernisation programme, led by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) through the Future Airspace Strategy Implementation (FASI) programme. This aims to redesign terminal airspace, integrate new airspace users, improve airspace management, and enhance flight path efficiency to support net-zero aviation targets. Airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick, and Farnborough, are progressing Airspace Change Proposals (ACPs) to modernise their flight paths. Surrey County Council's approach has been to raise awareness of consultations among residents and focus responses on limiting newly overflown areas and providing flight path respite.

The committee recommended noting the work undertaken and acknowledging that further work will be required, particularly concerning Gatwick and Heathrow. It was also recommended that an annual report on aviation matters be presented to the committee.

Forward Work Programme and Recommendations Tracker

The committee reviewed its Forward Work Programme (FWP) for 2025-2026 and the Recommendations Tracker (RT). The FWP outlines planned scrutiny activities, including performance reviews of Surrey Fire and Rescue Service and updates on aviation planning matters. The RT tracks recommendations made by the committee and their responses. The committee was asked to review and agree the FWP, suggest amendments, and monitor the progress of recommendations.

The committee noted the action and recommendation tracker and the forward work programme. The next meeting was scheduled for 9 October 2025.