Mark Sugden

Children, Families, Lifelong Learning and Culture Select Committee - Thursday, 15 February 2024 10.00 am

The committee made a series of recommendations about alternative provision and fostering. The committee agreed to work with Family Voice Surrey to create a handbook for parents, and recommended that all parties engaged in alternative provision have a forum to discuss key issues. The committee also recommended that Surrey County Council drive forward a new Foster Carer Charter, and actively consider a series of proposals that the Surrey County Fostering Association believe would improve recruitment and retention of foster carers.

Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee - Wednesday, 7 February 2024 10.00 am

The committee expressed their support for Surrey County Council's new road safety strategy and 20 mph speed limit policy, while also expressing concern over whether the current levels of funding would be sufficient to meet the likely demand. The committee asked for this to be reviewed once the outcome of the public consultation was known. Councillor Buddhi Weerasinghe volunteered to join the Greener Futures Reference Group. The committee agreed to hold an informal visit to Ringway's depot to discuss the performance of the highways contract before deciding whether to hold a public scrutiny session.

Budget Meeting, Council - Tuesday, 6 February 2024 10.00 am

The Council approved the final budget for 2024/25 and the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for 2028/29. An amendment to the budget, which would have created a voluntary contribution fund for residents in more affluent areas, was rejected. The Council also approved the appointment of Leigh Whitehouse as interim Chief Executive and Anna D’Alessandro as the interim Section 151 officer, as well as changes to Members’ allowances.