Agenda and draft minutes
PDF 197 KBVenue: Woodhatch Place, 11 Cockshot Hill, Reigate, Surrey, RH2 8EF
Contact: Amelia Christopher Email: amelia.christopher@surreycc.gov.uk
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CHAIR
1. To elect a Chair for the Council Year 2025/26.
2. The Chair to make the statutory declaration of acceptance of office.
Additional documents: Minutes: Jeffrey Gray arrived at 10.07 am.
Under the motion of Clare Curran, seconded by Will Forster, it was:
RESOLVED:
That Tim Hall be elected Chair of the Council for the Council Year 2025/26.
STATUTORY DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE:
Tim Hall made the statutory declaration of acceptance of office.
The Chair expressed his thanks to the Members of the Council for electing him as Chair and gave a short speech.
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ELECTION OF COUNTY COUNCILLOR
The Chief Executive, as County Returning Officer, formally to report the election of a new County Councillor: Peter Harpfor the Nork & Tattenhams division at the by-election held on 1 May 2025.
Additional documents: Minutes: The Chief Executive as County Returning Officer, formally reported the election of a new County Councillor: Peter Harp for the Nork & Tattenhams division at the by-election held on 1 May 2025.
The Chair welcomed the new Member.
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
The Chair to report apologies for absence. Additional documents: Minutes: Apologies for absence were received from Jordan Beech, Amanda Boote, Liz Bowes, Chris Farr (remote), John Furey, Frank Kelly (remote), Rachael Lake BEM (remote), David Lewis (Camberley West), Rebecca Paul, George Potter.
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To confirm the minutes of the meetings of the Council held on 18 March 2025 and 7 May 2025 (Extraordinary).
(Note: 7 May 2025 (Extraordinary) Council minutes to follow)
Additional documents: Minutes: The minutes of the meetings of the County Council held on 18 March 2025, and 7 May 2025 (Extraordinary) were submitted, confirmed and signed.
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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: Minutes: There were none.
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CHAIR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Chair to report. Additional documents: Minutes: There were none.
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VICE-CHAIR
1. To elect a Vice-Chair for the Council Year 2025/26.
2. The Vice-Chair to make the statutory declaration of acceptance of office.
Additional documents: Minutes: Under the motion of Robert Hughes, seconded by Sinead Mooney, it was:
RESOLVED:
That Bernie Muir be elected Vice-Chair of the Council for the Council Year 2025/26.
STATUTORY DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE:
Bernie Muir made the statutory declaration of acceptance of office.
The Vice-Chair expressed her thanks to the Members of the Council for electing her as Vice-Chair and gave a short speech.
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MOTION OF THANKS TO RETIRING CHAIR
The newly elected Chair to move a formal motion of thanks to Saj Hussain, the retiring Chair of the Council.
Additional documents: Minutes: Under the motion of the newly elected Chair, seconded by Catherine Powell, it was:
RESOLVED:
That we, the Chair and Members of the Surrey County Council, record our warm appreciation of the distinguished services given to the County and its inhabitants by Saj Hussain during his tenure of office of Chair of the Council from 23 May 2023 to 20 May 2025.
Saj Hussain made a farewell speech (Appendix A).
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ELECTION OF LEADER OF THE COUNCIL
To elect a Leader of the Council for a four-year term, expiring on the day of the post-election annual meeting which follows his / her election as Leader.
Additional documents: Minutes: Under the motion of John O’Reilly, seconded by Helyn Clack, it was:
RESOLVED:
That Tim Oliver OBE be elected Leader of the Council for a four-year term, expiring on the day of the post-election annual meeting.
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The Leader to make a statement.
There will be an opportunity for Members to ask questions and/or make comments.
Additional documents: Minutes: The Leader of the Council made a detailed statement. A copy of the statement is attached as Appendix B.
Members raised the following topics:
· Noted condolences to Mark Sugden’s family and friends. · Congratulated to new Chair and Vice-Chair, and thanked the outgoing Chair. · Thanked and noted support to officers who were facing uncertainty as a result of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). · Noted residents’ concerns around LGR and no local elections in May 2025 and highlighted concerns about debt and the effect on services. · Stressed that the next few years would bring unparalleled change for Surrey. · Noted that whilst preparing for LGR the Council must continue to provide services, the demand and financial pressures regarding statutory services was continuing to rise due to the lack of prevention and early intervention funding, and cost of living crisis and employer National Insurance Contributions. · Noted some push back from contractors as they could not absorb all the costs assumed in the Council’s budget, charities and the voluntary sector were trying to fill gaps but funding was inadequate. · Urged Members to read the National Council for Voluntary Organisations report ‘The Road Ahead 2025’. · Noted that the Government would decide on the number of unitary councils in Surrey and asked whether the Leader would ensure that the LGR Equality Impact Assessment is corrected and submitted to the Government. · Noted that the debt issue must be resolved, Woking Borough Council’s financing costs were £171 million and its services had been cut, asked whether the services provided in the unitary council - in which Woking would be located - would be reduced to that level. · Glad that those working in Children’s Services celebrated the recent Ofsted Inspecting Local Authority Children’s Services (ILACS) report (March 2025) ‘good’ rating, looked forward to further improvements. · Noted concern regarding SEND, the Government’s strategy that more children need to be educated in mainstream settings with £740 million allocated might work in some areas; but the proposals do not address the increasing size of schools, which have challenges in being inclusive. · Called for an open conversation about the lack of appropriate Key Stage Transfer places in September for children, about communication and working with all stakeholders, there were empty schools and closed private schools that could be converted into SEND schools. · Hoped all that Members would have the opportunity to be fully engaged to resolve the urgent issues, to provide the strongest footing for the new unitary councils. · Asked the Leader to publish the full set of questions and answers by the online panel of residents. · Urged all to adhere to the Nolan Principles. · Stressed the need to scrutinise SEND sufficiency in each part of Surrey, to limit the reliance on alternative provision and long-distance Home to School Transport. · Noted that Surrey’s Council Tax raising powers do not match Surrey’s wealth inequalities; with a higher cost of living harder for those on low income or in need such as children Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET). · Asked the Leader to lobby the Government ... view the full minutes text for item 49/25 |
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APPROVAL OF COUNTY COUNCILLOR ABSENCES
The purpose of this report is to request that the County Council considers whether to agree that County Councillors David Lewis (Camberley West) and Mark Sugden (Hinchley Wood, Claygate and Oxshott) continue to be absent from Council meetings by reason of ill health.
Additional documents: Minutes: The Chair introduced the report and noted that in light of the sad passing of Mark Sugden the recommendation had been amended accordingly.
RESOLVED:
That Councillor David Lewis (Camberley West) continues to be absent from meetings until October 2025 by reason of ill health. The Council looks forward to welcoming him back in due course.
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ANNUAL REVIEW OF POLITICAL PROPORTIONALITY
To formally review the proportional political allocation of places on committees and to adopt a scheme of proportionality for the Council Year 2025/26.
(Note: report to follow) Additional documents: Minutes: The Chair referred to the report of the Monitoring Officer in the first supplementary agenda (items: 4, 12, 13, 14, 20) published on 15 May 2025.
RESOLVED:
Adopted the scheme of proportionality as set out in Annex 1 to this report for the Council year 2025/26 (Appendix C).
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APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES
To appoint Members of the various Boards / Committees of the Council for the Council Year 2025/26 subject to any changes of membership to be reported to the meeting by Group Leaders.
(Note: report to follow)
Additional documents: Minutes: The Chair referred to the nominations as published in the first supplementary agenda.
RESOLVED:
Agreed: (Appendix D)
1. To appoint Members to serve on the Committees of the Council for the Council year 2025/26 in accordance with the wishes of political groups. 2. To authorise the Chief Executive to make changes to the membership of any of the Council’s Committees as necessary during the Council year in accordance with the wishes of political groups. 3. To appoint the Council’s representative to the Surrey Police and Crime Panel for the Council year 2025/26. 4. To appoint up to two Members to the Buckinghamshire County Council and Surrey County Council Joint Trading Standards Service Committee, one of whom must be a Cabinet Member; the other in an advisory non-voting role. 5. To note the Leader’s appointments to the Council’s Executive Committees as outlined above.
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ELECTION OF COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN AND VICE-CHAIRMEN
To elect Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of Committees for the Council Year 2025/26.
(Note: report to follow)
Additional documents: Minutes: The Chair referred to the nominations in the first supplementary agenda. In response to Member queries, the Chair clarified that due to the sad passing of Mark Sugden, one of the Vice-Chair positions on the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee was vacant. An appointment would be made at a future Council meeting.
RESOLVED:
That the Members listed (Appendix E) are duly elected as Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen respectively of the Select Committees and Regulatory Committees as shown for 2025/26.
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To approve the updated Officer Code of Conduct for inclusion in the Council’s Constitution.
To adopt the Pay Policy Statement for 2025/26, to be published in accordance with the Localism Act 2011.
Additional documents: Minutes: Keith Witham left the meeting at 11.53 am.
The Leader, as Chairman of the People, Performance and Development Committee introduced the report and reminded staff that this year the Council would be shadowing the National Joint Council (NJC) for Local Government Services’ pay award.
RESOLVED:
1. Approved the updated Officer Code of Conduct for inclusion in the Council’s Constitution. 2. Adopted the Pay Policy Statement for 2025/26, to be published in accordance with the Localism Act 2011.
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REPORT OF THE AUDIT AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE - CODE OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
To endorse the inclusion of the updated Code of Corporate Governance into the Constitution.
Additional documents: Minutes: The Chairman of the Audit and Governance Committee introduced the report and referred to the key changes. He noted that recommendations were made to the Governance Panel on any specific areas to be reviewed by Internal Audit and the Executive Director Assurance Statements provide assurance on governance principles and the internal control framework identifying strengths and weaknesses.
RESOLVED:
Endorsed the inclusion of the updated Code of Corporate Governance into the Constitution.
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MEMBERS' QUESTION TIME
The Leader of the Council, the Deputy Leader or the appropriate Member of the Cabinet or the chairman of a committee to answer any questions on any matter relating to the powers and duties of the County Council, or which affects the county.
(Note: Notice of questions in respect of the above item on the agenda must be given in writing, preferably by e-mail, to Democratic Services by 12 noon on Wednesday 14 May 2025).
Additional documents: Minutes:
Notice of six questions had been received.
The questions and replies were published in the second supplementary agenda (item 17) on 19 May 2025.
A number of supplementary questions were asked and a summary of the main points is set out below:
(Q1) Robert Evans OBE asked whether the Cabinet Member would agree that staff working in a hybrid way - from home and the office - was positive and the Council should welcome the approximate savings of £2 million.
The Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources agreed.
(Q2) Eber Kington asked whether the Leader would agree that because too many parents were still finding difficulty in accessing or understanding Children’s Services processes and decision-making, it was more important that Members and MPs do not have communication barriers that exclude them from supporting families. For it to be ensured that no parent be denied support from their chosen representative.
Will Forster asked whether the Cabinet Member thinks that informing MPs that the Council would no longer provide a written response to individual cases regarding SEND, Home to School Transport and school places, aligns with the leave no one behind ambition.
Fiona Davidson noted that the local area SEND inspection in 2023 identified the need to improve communication from case officers and practitioners to parents and carers, the Department for Education’s March 2025 review identified that most families were yet to see benefits and it would take more than fifteen months for an impact to be felt.She asked the Cabinet Member whether there was a contradiction regarding the view that SEND issues were historic and the latest evidence.
The Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Lifelong Learning responded to Eber Kington and Will Forster, reiterating the vital role MPs play for their constituents and the need for a strong and constructive relationship with MPs who can advocate for residents. She clarified that she did not want to close off communications with MPs, but that she reminded MPs that in some cases where a final decision was made, the appropriate route for families to follow was to use the formal appeals panel. The Cabinet Member responded to Fiona Davidson, stressing that the Council was working hard to improve services for children with Additional Needs, it was redoubling its efforts to improve effective, timely and appropriate communications with families.
(Q3) Catherine Powell asked the Cabinet Member to confirm whether it was the case that the existing plans would leave a shortfall of more than 150 Key Stage Transfer places in September. She was aware of two children in Farnham without specialist places for September and asked whether she could urgently provide a summary of the maintained specialist schools that have places so Members could understand the gap, a map to be provided where extensions to provision was being explored, and a map highlighting where children without places live. She asked whether she could write to Surrey’s MPs regarding the unfulfilled commitment to fund three new Special Free Schools.
Jonathan Essex referred ... view the full minutes text for item 56/25 |
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STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS
Any Member may make a statement at the meeting on a local issue of current or future concern.
(Note: Notice of statements must be given in writing, preferably by e-mail, to Democratic Services by 12 noon on Monday 19 May 2025). Additional documents: Minutes: Nick Darby noted that the pharmacy in Thames Ditton closed eighteen months ago, the nearest pharmacy was a twenty-minute walk with no effective bus service. An alternative pharmacist came forward but that application had not yet been approved. He called on the Leader and the Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, and Public Health, and officers to expedite the approval process via the Health and Wellbeing Board, and Surrey Heartlands. A petition signed by 1,200 people had been submitted, that was supported by the three nearest GPs and local councillors.
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REPORT OF THE CABINET
To receive the report of the meetings of the Cabinet held on 18 March 2025 (Extraordinary), 22 April 2025, 7 May 2025 (Extraordinary). Additional documents: Minutes: The Leader presented the report of the Cabinet meetings held on 18 March 2025 (Extraordinary), 22 April 2025, 7 May 2025 (Extraordinary).
Recommendations on Policy Framework Documents:
There were no reports with recommendations for Council.
Reports for Information/Discussion:
18 March 2025:
A. Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation
22 April 2025:
B. Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2025-2035 C. Disposal of Former Chalk Pit Depot, Chalk Pit Lane Great Bookham, KT23 4HA
7 May 2025:
D. Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation
E. Quarterly Report on Decisions Taken Under Special UrgencyArrangements: 11 March 2025 – 12 May 2025
RESOLVED: 1. Noted that there had been one urgent decision since the last Cabinet report to Council: Basingstoke Canal Annual Update, Leader Decision, 1 April 2025. 2. Adopted the report of the meetings of the Cabinet held on 18 March 2025 (Extraordinary), 22 April 2025, 7 May 2025 (Extraordinary).
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MINUTES OF CABINET MEETINGS
Any matters within the minutes of the Cabinet’s meetings, and not otherwise brought to the Council’s attention in the Cabinet’s report, may be the subject of questions and statements by Members upon notice being given to Democratic Services by 12 noon on Monday 19 May 2025.
(Note: 7 May 2025 (Extraordinary) Cabinet minutes to follow)
Additional documents: Minutes: No notification had been received by the deadline from Members wishing to raise a question or make a statement on any matters in the minutes.
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