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Cabinet - Tuesday, 27 January 2026 2.00 pm
January 27, 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 Cabinet of Surrey County Council met on Tuesday 27 January 2026, discussing a range of important issues including the relocation of Reigate Priory Junior School, the 2026/27 budget, and the future of the Twelve15 service. Key decisions included approving the relocation of Reigate Priory Junior School to Woodhatch Place, recommending a 4.99% council tax increase for the upcoming financial year, and approving the transfer of the Twelve15 service to a third-party provider.
Reigate Priory Junior School Relocation
A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the proposed relocation of Reigate Priory Junior School from its current site to Woodhatch Place. Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Lifelong Learning, Jonathan Hulley, presented the report, highlighting that the existing school building is no longer fit for purpose due to structural issues and public access concerns, presenting a safeguarding risk. He stated, the welfare of the children and the staff that use that facility every day are paramount. It is not a site that can sustainably or safely support education for the long term in the last 10 years alone as I mentioned earlier we have spent approximately two million pounds in fulfilling its maintenance obligations to at the school.
Oliver Moses, Headteacher of Reigate Priory Junior School, expressed relief that a decision was finally being made, stating, The challenges related to safeguarding health and safety, inclusion and send budget, staff well-being and educational operational provision which the school raised over 10 years ago have not changed their impact and difficulty now more prevalent.
He urged the Cabinet to approve the move to a modern, purpose-built facility.
Councillor Victor Lewinsky, representing concerned parents, voiced strong opposition, citing issues with the planning application, the suitability of the new site for young children, and a perceived lack of consideration for alternative options, including a hybrid model proposed by Reigate and Banstead Borough Council. He questioned the sudden declaration of the current school being unsafe, stating, if the school was so unsafe those children should have been moved out of that school many years ago and it just doesn't make sense that suddenly there's this mad rush to move the school and it's suddenly unsafe it just does not make sense to me.
Despite these concerns, the Cabinet ultimately approved the relocation of Reigate Priory Junior School to Woodhatch Place as a five-form entry junior school. This decision will involve instructing the project team to commence the building project, with the Department for Education funding secured for a junior school only. The Cabinet also acknowledged that future organisational changes could be pursued by academy trusts or the new East Surrey local authority.
2026/27 Budget and Council Tax Increase
The Cabinet discussed and recommended to Full Council the budget for the 2026/27 financial year. David Lewis, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, outlined the challenging financial landscape, noting that the council is the biggest largest loser of any council in the country
in terms of government funding, with an expected loss of around £180 million over three years.
Due to these pressures and the government's expectation for councils to utilise local council tax, the Cabinet recommended a 4.99% increase in council tax. This comprises a 2.99% increase on the core council tax and a 2% precept for adult social care. Lewis explained, the broad consequence of that is I'm afraid that we this council and indeed the successful authorities will almost be duty bound to increase council tax by 4.99%.
The budget includes investments in extra care housing, schools, and particularly the SEND service, which is experiencing a significant increase in demand. A capital programme of nearly £300 million was also approved.
Leaders of the Independent Residents Group, Councillor Catherine Bart, and the Green Group, Councillor Jonathan Hulley, presented amendments to the budget. Councillor Bart's proposals focused on revenue investment for children, young people, and families, including support for foster carers, making schools autism-friendly, reviewing SEND provision, and securing long-term leases for charities. Councillor Hulley's amendments aimed to increase funding for road safety outside schools, establish a ring-fenced budget for concrete road maintenance, restore funding for the greener futures programme, promote waste reduction and repair activities, and review bus services. The Cabinet agreed in principle to accept these amendments, subject to due diligence with the finance team.
Twelve15 Service Review
The Cabinet considered the future of the Twelve15 service, which provides school catering and design technology equipment. Following a sustained decline in contracts and a reduction in net income, a consultation process was undertaken. The report indicated that a third-party provider had expressed strong interest in acquiring the service.
The Cabinet approved the delegation of authority to the Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director for Resources to conclude negotiations with the provider for the transfer of the Twelve15 business activities. This transfer is expected to preserve employment terms and conditions for staff under TUPE regulations. Alternatively, if negotiations fail, the Cabinet agreed to delegate authority to close the service by August 2026. A programme resource of £0.450 million was approved to fund the transfer or closure.
Neighbourhood Area Committees
The Cabinet endorsed the Neighbourhood Area Committee (NAC) model as a way to embed community engagement into local government. Following a pilot programme in four areas, the Cabinet agreed to continue these pilots until the pre-election period in May 2026, actively share learning with partners, and consider expanding the pilot to one or two further areas. The Cabinet also supported the delivery of emerging NAC action plans.
Affordable Extra Care Housing
The Cabinet approved the grant of 250-year leases for four affordable extra care housing sites: Bentley, Brockhurst, Pinehurst, and Salisbury Road. This decision, an increase from the previously approved 125-year lease, is crucial for securing funding from Homes England and the development partner's funder, ensuring the delivery of up to 290 units of extra care accommodation by 2030.
Orbis Service Reviews
Following reviews of the Orbis shared services arrangement, which involves Surrey County Council, Brighton and Hove City Council, and East Sussex County Council, the Cabinet approved the commencement of staff consultations on preferred options for IT&D, procurement, and internal audit. The recommendation is to bring these services back in-house as sovereign activities for Surrey.
Admission Arrangements for Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools
The Cabinet approved recommendations for the admission arrangements for community and voluntary controlled schools for the September 2027 academic year. These included reducing Published Admission Numbers (PANs) for three schools, introducing sibling and feeder links between several schools, and clarifying waiting list procedures.
Other Matters
The Cabinet also noted decisions taken by the Leader, Deputy Leader, and Cabinet Members since the last meeting, and received an update on the financial position as at month eight, noting a forecast revenue overspend of £2.2 million, which was a reduction from the previous month. The capital programme for 2025/26 was reset to £298.5 million. An update on the devolution and local government reorganisation programme was also provided, noting the establishment of voluntary joint committees for East and West Surrey.
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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Twelve15 Service Review
Recommendations Approved...to approve the recommendations from the Twelve15 Service Review, subject to a call-in period.
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Public Questions
Recommendations Approved...to approve the recommendations in response to the four public questions that were published in a supplementary agenda.
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Members' Questions
Recommendations Approved...to approve the recommendations in response to nine Member questions, with the responses published in a supplementary agenda.
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Affordable Extra Care Housing: Grant Of 250 Year Leases (Urgent Item)
Recommendations Approved...approved the grant of 250-year leases for four affordable Extra Care Housing sites, increasing the lease term from the previously approved 125 years to ensure the viability of the developments and secure necessary funding.
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Minutes of Previous Meeting: 16 December 2025
Recommendations Approved -
2025/26 MONTH 8 (NOVEMBER) FINANCIAL REPORT
Recommendations Approved -
Apologies for Absence
Information Only -
Neighbourhood Area Committees
Recommendations Approved...endorsed the Neighbourhood Area Committee (NAC) model as a way to embed community engagement, agreed to continue the four pilot NACs until the pre-election period in 2026, share pilot learnings with partners and new Shadow Authorities, and consider expanding the pilot from May 2026 onwards.
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Orbis Service Reviews
Recommendations Approved... to approve the commencement of staff consultations on preferred options for Orbis services, noting that the current operating model no longer sufficiently supports the divergent strategic priorities of the three partner authorities, and to delegate decision-making on final proposals post-consultation.
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Provision of primary school places in the pupil place planning area of Reigate
Recommendations approved...agreed to proceed with Option 1 to relocate Reigate Priory Junior School to a new site at Woodhatch Place as a 5FE Junior School, instructing the project team to move to tender and commence the building project.
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2026/27 Final Budget
Recommendations Approved... recommend to Full Council the setting of the net revenue budget at £1,265.9 million, a council tax increase of 4.99% resulting in a Band D precept of £1,938.42, a total capital programme of £297.1 million, and associated financial strategies and policies for 2026/27.
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Admission Arrangements For Community And Voluntary Controlled Schools For September 2027
Recommendations Approved...approved changes to admission arrangements for community and voluntary controlled schools for September 2027, including reductions in Published Admission Numbers at three primary schools, the introduction of sibling and feeder links between several schools, and clarifications regarding waiting list reviews.
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2025/26 MONTH 8 (NOVEMBER) FINANCIAL REPORT
Recommendations Approved...to note the Council's forecast revenue budget, approve the transfer of litigation settlement funds to Earmarked Reserves, and approve the re-set of the 2025/26 Capital Programme to £298.5m.
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Leader / Deputy Leader / Cabinet Member/ Strategic Investment Board Decisions Taken Since the Last Cabinet Meeting
Recommendations Approved...to note the delegated decisions that had been made since their last meeting.
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Reports from Select Committees, Task Groups and other Committees of the Council
Recommendations Approved...to note the reports from the Select Committees.
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Twelve15 Service Review
Recommendations Approved...delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director for Resources to either transfer the Twelve15 service to a new provider by 1 September 2026, or close the business activities on 31 August 2026 if transfer terms cannot be agreed, with £0.450m allocated for programme resources.
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Orbis Service Reviews
Recommendations Approved -
Affordable Extra Care Housing: Grant Of 250 Year Leases (Urgent Item)
Recommendations Approved -
Declarations of Interest
Recommendations Approved -
Representations received on reports to be considered in private
Recommendations Approved -
Petitions
Recommendations Approved -
EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC
Recommendations Approved -
Cabinet Member of the Month
Recommendations Approved -
Devolution And Local Government Reorganisation Update
Recommendations ApprovedSurrey Cabinet noted the latest developments of the Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation programme.
Surrey Cabinet noted the establishment of the East Surrey and West Surrey Voluntary Joint Committees and their inaugural meeting discussions and agreements.
The decision was made on 27/01/2026.
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