Jeremy Webster

the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning and Culture Select Committee of Surrey Council

The meeting considered two significant topics, Preparing for Adulthood, and the Cabinet's response to the Committee's report into the Additional Needs and Disabilities service. Ofsted reports on Surrey's Children's Homes, published since the last meeting, were also received.

Planning and Regulatory Committee - Wednesday, 30 October 2024 10.30 am

The meeting considered two planning applications for developments on land owned by Surrey County Council: one for the expansion of St Paul’s C of E Infant School in Tongham and one for the construction of extra care housing on the site of the former Colebrook and Spectrum Noke Day Centres in Redhill. Both applications were approved.

Council - Tuesday, 8 October 2024 10.00 am

The meeting started with a statement from the Leader of the Council, Councillor Tim Oliver OBE, and a statement from the Leader of the Liberal Democrat group, Councillor Paul Follows. The Council then approved the appointment of Andy Brown as the Section 151 Officer, the absence of Councillor David Lewis from Council meetings, amendments to the constitution, and noted the annual report of the Audit and Governance Committee. A debate was held on an original motion to tackle the increasing problem of motorcycles parking on pavements, which was passed. Another original motion proposed making Surrey County Council an “End Poverty” Council was passed after the rejection of an amendment to commit the Council to not reducing funding for charities that tackle poverty. Finally the Council noted the recommendations of the Communities, Environment and Highways select committee on the referral of a motion on plant based meals.

Planning and Regulatory Committee - Wednesday, 25 September 2024 10.30 am

The committee approved an outline planning application for a new extra care housing scheme at the former Birchlands Care Home in Englefield Green, Egham. They also noted the outcome of a judicial review relating to a previous decision to grant planning permission for oil extraction at Horse Hill in Horley. The Supreme Court quashed that permission, and so the application will return to the committee for redetermination at a later date.

Children, Families, Lifelong Learning and Culture Select Committee - Thursday, 12 September 2024 10.00 am

Surrey Council's Children, Families, Lifelong Learning and Culture Select Committee met to discuss a report from the Additional Needs and Disabilities: Parent/Carer Experience Task Group. The Committee unanimously endorsed the recommendations in the report. Following this the Committee received an update on the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) Recovery Plan and the findings of the End-to-End Review of the EHCP statutory process. The Committee endorsed the recommendations in this report. The Committee then discussed a report on Children Not in School, reviewed and noted an Ofsted report on a Surrey County Council-run Children’s Home, and received a Performance Overview for the service.