Stephen Cooksey

the Audit and Governance Committee of Surrey Council

The Committee concluded the action plan created in response to the 2022 Centre for Governance and Scrutiny's review of Council Governance, subject to an external review to take place after the May 2025 election. The Committee also received the six month complaints update report for 2024-25 and, following a lengthy discussion, asked the Chairman to write to the Corporate Leadership Team (CLT) to express its concern about the lack of progress in reducing complaints and particularly communication complaints. It also asked him to invite a member of the CLT to a future meeting to discuss what they were doing to improve complaints handling. During its consideration of the Annual Governance Statement half year update the Committee asked for a more detailed update report on the progress being made by the MySurrey Stabilisation Board to be provided in January. During its consideration of the Internal Audit Progress Report, the Committee asked for a report on the actions taken in response to the follow up audits on Tree Management and Social Value In Procurement.

the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee of Surrey Council

The Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee voted by 7 to 4 to refer the decision not to proceed with the A3100 Burpham to Boxgrove Roundabout Active Travel Scheme back to the Cabinet for reconsideration. The Select Committee felt that the decision should be reconsidered because the original decision was not fully supported by the evidence presented and because it did not take into account alternative options, active travel's contribution to health and well-being, and the council's commitment to achieving net zero by 2050.

Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee - Tuesday, 15 October 2024 10.00 am

The Committee welcomed Surrey County Council's Climate Change Delivery Plan 2021-2025 [^2] and its efforts to meet its commitment to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050, but noted concerns about funding and the need for a more integrated approach to implementation across different council services. They also welcomed Surrey Fire and Rescue Service's response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase Two report [^3] and its commitment to implementing its recommendations, and noted the Cabinet's response to the July 2024 Select Committee report on the new draft Vision Zero Road Safety Strategy.

Council - Tuesday, 8 October 2024 10.00 am

The meeting started with a statement from the Leader of the Council, Councillor Tim Oliver OBE, and a statement from the Leader of the Liberal Democrat group, Councillor Paul Follows. The Council then approved the appointment of Andy Brown as the Section 151 Officer, the absence of Councillor David Lewis from Council meetings, amendments to the constitution, and noted the annual report of the Audit and Governance Committee. A debate was held on an original motion to tackle the increasing problem of motorcycles parking on pavements, which was passed. Another original motion proposed making Surrey County Council an “End Poverty” Council was passed after the rejection of an amendment to commit the Council to not reducing funding for charities that tackle poverty. Finally the Council noted the recommendations of the Communities, Environment and Highways select committee on the referral of a motion on plant based meals.

Audit and Governance Committee - Wednesday, 11 September 2024 10.00 am

At this meeting the committee approved the council's Risk Management Strategy and noted a report on the council's performance on risk management. They also noted a report on Internal Audit’s work in the first quarter of the year and a report on the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman's annual review letter. The committee commended their own annual report to the October meeting of the full council and agreed an amended process for dealing with allegations of breaches of the member code of conduct. The committee also agreed the process for the recruitment of new independent persons.