Matt Furniss

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.

Cabinet - Tuesday, 25 February 2025 2.00 pm

The Cabinet of Surrey County Council met on Tuesday 25 February 2025. The meeting included updates on the Council's Alternative Provision programme, its ongoing Customer Transformation Programme, and the Unit4/MySurrey system. The Cabinet also agreed to the creation of a new Surrey Materials Recycling Facility at Trumps Farm, as well as the adoption of new policies on economic growth and land management.

Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth Decisions - Tuesday, 25 February 2025 12.00 pm

The Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth Decisions meeting on February 25th saw two public questions on entirely separate matters, a petition for the installation of traffic lights, and the Cabinet Member's decisions on each.

Budget Meeting, Council - Tuesday, 4 February 2025 10.00 am

The Council voted to adopt its budget for 2025/26, increasing Council Tax by the maximum permitted 4.99% and making £66 million in savings. The Council also noted the Memorandum of Understanding between Surrey County Council and Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care Partnership and approved the revised Health and Wellbeing Board Terms of Reference.

Cabinet - Tuesday, 28 January 2025 2.00 pm

The Cabinet approved the 2025-26 budget and the Community Risk Management Plan. They also agreed to a number of recommendations made to them about children's services.