Jonathan Essex

Council - Tuesday, 14 July 2026 10.00 am

Children, Families, Lifelong Learning and Culture Select Committee - Wednesday, 10 June 2026 10.00 am

The Children, Families, Lifelong Learning and Culture Select Committee met on Wednesday 10 June 2026 to discuss a range of critical issues affecting children and young people in Surrey. Key discussions included the significant pressures on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Alternative Provision (AP) sufficiency, proposed amendments to the Home to School Travel Assistance Policy, and an independent practice review into safeguarding arrangements following the tragic death of Sara Sharif. The committee also reviewed performance assurance data and Ofsted reports for children's homes.

AGM, Council - Tuesday, 19 May 2026 10.00 am

The Surrey County Council held its Annual General Meeting, marking the final term of the council before its reorganisation into two unitary authorities. Key decisions included the election of Tim Hall as Chair and Bernie Muir as Vice-Chair for the upcoming civic year. The meeting also addressed the significant financial challenges facing the county, particularly concerning the debt inherited by the new West Surrey unitary authority.

Council - Tuesday, 17 March 2026 10.00 am

The Council meeting on Tuesday 17 March 2026 addressed the significant implications of the upcoming Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Surrey, with extensive debate on the financial outlook, service delivery, and the historical identity of the Spelthorne area. Key decisions included the approval of an updated Officer Code of Conduct and a policy to permit residents to apply for approved cross-pavement EV charging solutions. The council also voted to ask the government to name the new western unitary authority 'West Surrey and South Middlesex', a motion that passed despite some abstentions.

Children, Families, Lifelong Learning and Culture Select Committee - Thursday, 12 March 2026 10.00 am

The Children, Families, Lifelong Learning and Culture Select Committee met on Thursday 12 March 2026 to discuss a range of important issues concerning children and families in Surrey. Key topics included the provision and oversight of Alternative Provision (AP), the ongoing transformation of the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) service, and the outcomes of an Ofsted inspection of children's homes. Decisions were made regarding the inclusion of specific items on the committee's forward work plan and the formulation of draft recommendations.