Stephen Cooksey

Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee - Thursday, 10 April 2025 10.00 am

The Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee met on 10 April 2025 to discuss a utilities engagement programme, highways term maintenance contract performance and a forward work programme. The committee was also scheduled to discuss questions submitted by the councillors.

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.

Audit and Governance Committee - Wednesday, 12 March 2025 10.00 am

The Audit and Governance Committee met to discuss a range of topics. They decided not to commission reviews of the council's governance and finances. They were satisfied that the actions from the previous audit on tree management have been completed, and accepted the External Auditors' Annual Report 2023/24, including the value for money conclusion. They approved the Internal Audit Strategy and Annual Plan for 2025/26. They noted the progress on Social Value in Procurement, and the updated Code of Corporate Governance. They also noted the decision of statutory officers to continue with the existing Officer Gifts and Hospitality Policy, but to require an annual nil return from senior officers. They agreed to defer approval of a new approach to publishing Members' home addresses on the register of interests, pending further discussion with political groups. Finally, they approved general dispensations for all members relating to Local Government Reorganisation and the approval of budgets and setting of council tax precepts.

Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee - Wednesday, 12 February 2025 10.00 am

At this meeting the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee considered a draft of Surrey County Council's Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP), progress on a new climate adaptation strategy, and progress on a range of new waste infrastructure. The committee noted each of the reports.

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.