Agenda and decisions

Extraordinary Meeting, Cabinet - Wednesday, 8 January 2025 2.30 pm

Venue: Council Chamber, Surrey County Council, Woodhatch Place, 11 Cockshot Hill, Reigate, Surrey ,RH2 8EF

Contact: Huma Younis or Sarah Quinn 

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for Absence

    • Share this item

    To receive any apologies for absence.

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    Apologies for absence were received from Marisa Heath.

2.

Declarations of Interest

    All Members present are required to declare, at this point in the meeting or as soon as possible thereafter:

     

    (i)            Any disclosable pecuniary interests and / or

    (ii)           Other interests arising under the Code of Conduct in respect of any item(s) of business being considered at this meeting

    NOTES:

     

    ·         Members are reminded that they must not participate in any item where they have a disclosable pecuniary interest

    ·         As well as an interest of the Member, this includes any interest, of which the Member is aware, that relates to the Member’s spouse or civil partner (or any person with whom the Member is living as a spouse or civil partner)

    ·         Members with a significant personal interest may participate in the discussion and vote on that matter unless that interest could be reasonably regarded as prejudicial.

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    There were none.

3.

Response to the English Devolution White Paper pdf icon PDF 174 KB

    This report outlines the opportunities arising from the English Devolution White Paper published on 16 December 2024, and the requirements on Surrey County Council set out in a letter sent to the Leader of the Council from the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution on the same day (see Annex 1).

    [In accordance with Standing Order 56.1 (Special Urgency), the Chairman of the Resources and Performance Select Committee has agreed that the decisions on this item cannot reasonably be deferred and therefore it is not subject to call in.]

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the Cabinet:

     

    1.    Agreed that the Leader should respond to the Government as outlined in the letter set out in Annex 2, as amended below:

     

    “A postponement of the county elections will also allow time to give consideration in any business case to how we can best manage the unique, significant financial risk of the level of debt currently held across the Surrey local government footprint. Any proposals for local government reorganisation will need to adequately consider how to ensure the sustainable operation of any new authority/ies in the absence of exceptional financial support from Government or a level of write off and we will request the government to write off those debts.”

     

    Reasons for decisions:

     

    The English Devolution White Paper presents an important opportunity for Surrey

    County Council to bring more expansive and flexible devolved powers and funding

    into the county for the benefit of residents. As such it is recommended that Cabinet

    agrees to respond to the Minister’s letter (Annex 1) requesting the postponement of

    the 2025 County Council elections to allow the Surrey County Council Leader time to work with district and borough Leaders to develop a proposal for local government reform that will unlock the benefits of further devolution for Surrey.

     

    The function of deciding whether and how to respond to the Minister’s letter of 16

    December 2024 is an executive function as set out in the Constitution under Responsibility for Executive Functions (Part 3), the Cabinet has the power to provide formal response to any Government White Paper “…likely to lead to policy changes

    or have impact upon service not otherwise delegated to officers” (Scheme of

    Delegation 8.2 (L)).

     

    (In accordance with Standing Order 56.1 (Special Urgency), the Chairman of the Resources and Performance Select Committee has agreed that the decisions on this item cannot reasonably be deferred and therefore it is not subject to call in.)

4.

EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC

    • Share this item

    That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information under the relevant paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

    Additional documents:

5.

PUBLICITY FOR PART 2 ITEMS

    • Share this item

    To consider whether the item considered under Part 2 of the agenda should be made available to the Press and public.

    Additional documents: