John O'Reilly

AGM, Council - Tuesday, 20 May 2025 10.00 am

At the annual meeting of Surrey County Council, Councillor Tim Hall was elected as the new Chair, and Councillor Bernie Muir was elected as Vice-Chair. Councillor Tim Oliver OBE was re-elected as Leader of the Council for a four-year term. The council also discussed local government reorganisation, councillor absences, committee appointments, and various reports, including the officer code of conduct and the code of corporate governance.

Extraordinary Meeting, Council - Wednesday, 7 May 2025 10.00 am

At an extraordinary meeting, Surrey County Council voted to note a report on devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR), paving the way for the cabinet to decide whether to submit a final plan to the government. The final plan recommends a two unitary council model divided into east and west geographies. This model aims to unlock further devolution, streamline operations, enhance service delivery and unlock financial efficiencies.

Resources and Performance Select Committee - Wednesday, 2 April 2025 10.00 am

The Resources and Performance Select Committee met to discuss cabinet responses to select committee recommendations, performance monitoring, and the committee's forward work programme. The committee agreed to exclude the press and public to discuss a report relating to Ranger House, Guildford. They also discussed the impact of local government reform on the council's activities.

Council - Tuesday, 18 March 2025 10.00 am

The meeting began with a discussion of the future of local government in Surrey, with Councillor Tim Oliver, the Leader of the Council, and Councillor Catherine Powell, the Leader of the Opposition, outlining their differing perspectives. Councillor Oliver strongly advocated for the creation of two new Unitary Councils for Surrey, arguing that it would bring greater clarity, efficiency, and financial savings. Councillor Powell favoured three Unitary Councils, believing that it would deliver more localism and better reflect existing collaborations between boroughs. The meeting also touched on the growing debt issues in Woking and Spellthorne, prompting calls for government intervention. The Council then voted to submit its interim proposal on Local Government Reorganisation to the government.

Children, Families, Lifelong Learning and Culture Select Committee - Thursday, 13 March 2025 10.00 am

The Surrey County Council Children, Families, Lifelong Learning and Culture Select Committee met to consider the Intensive Family Support Service (IFSS), its Adolescent Service, and Ofsted reports for two children's homes. It agreed to undertake a scrutiny in a day session in June or July to review the benefits of a preventative approach to children's services. The Committee also reviewed progress on recommendations made at previous meetings and noted the Cabinet's response to recommendations relating to the budget and alternative provision.