Decisions

The Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport, and Economic Growth:

1.     Approved the footway changes to the Highway Hierarchy Policy

The Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport, and Economic Grwoth:

1.     Approved the updated Highways & Transport Asset Management Strategy

The Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport, and Economic Growth agreed:

1.     The prioritised programme for the application of the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) Phase 4 grant and the allocations of funding to the identified priority areas; and 

2.     The reporting process to the Department for Transport (DfT) on delivery against our priorities through the application of BSIP Phase 4 grant. 

The Cabinet Member for Children, Families, and Lifelong Learning:

1.     Agreed the use of £5.3m of the total approved existing SEND Capital budget of £143.6m for 2024/25 to 2027/28 for confirmed final scheme at Brooklands College.

2.     Agreed to enter into any associated legal agreements to facilitate the contract award and project delivery, which was being managed by Brooklands College Trust under a Self-Delivery Agreement between the Trust and Surrey County Council. This was delegated to the Section 151 officer, in consultation with the Director of Land and Property.

As part of the Council’s ‘Right Homes, Right Support’ transformation programme, the Council are investing in the development of supported independent living (SIL) schemes across the county for adults with a learning disability and/or autism.

Development of the former Horley Library site was approved by cabinet in April 2022:

·       April 2022 – Supported Independent Living Programme Batch 1 Development - Minute Ref 77/22

Approval to procure a care and support provider for the Horley SIL scheme was granted by cabinet via the 2022/2023 Annual Procurement Forward Plan (Minute Ref 243/21).

It was agreed that the council shall proceed to award a Contract for the purposes of delivering care and support at the Horley SIL scheme to the successful bidder in a mini-competition run under the Council’s Community Accomodation with Care and Support Dynamic Purchasing system.

As part of the Surrey Homes for Surrey Children Strategy it was agreed that a programme of purchasing up to 9 homes be established to convert into new Children’s Homes for Surrey children.  Cabinet agreed to the proposal and Corporate Programme Panel approved the methodology for managing the programme and purchase of properties.

The programme has been progressing to identify, assess and consider suitable properties across Surrey, and currently there are two homes under offer- in Woking. 

The appropriate teams have carried out due diligence checks and the decision is to proceed with the purchase of the property identified in Woking. 

The new home will provide 4 spaces for children with High Needs (social, emotional and mental health) as part of the programme. 

During the due diligence process a number of covenants were identified on the Woking property.  This is not uncommon on larger houses in Surrey.  At this property they relate to maintaining fences to the boundary, roof coverings, and only having one building on site that is used for dwelling- other buildings on site can be used for workshops.   These have been investigated and the risks assessed and mitigated.

There will also be a need to change the planning designation of the property from C3- Dwelling House to C2- Residential Institution.  This will require a planning application to be determined.  If this application is not successful, the property would need to be re-sold.  Although the sale income would revert to the overall programme there would be some loss to the council as Stamp Duty Land Tax and fees incurred in the acquisition would not be recoverable.

The assessed risks and mitigations have been considered by CLT and approval given to proceed with the purchase.

It was AGREED that  the identified property in Woking be purchased for use as a Children’s Home within the Surrey Homes for Surrey Children Strategic Approach.

RESOLVED:

1.    That Cabinet notes the letter received from government on the 5 February 2025 inviting all councils in Surrey to submit an interim plan for Local Government Reorganisation by 21 March 2025 and a full proposal by 9 May 2025.  

2.    That Cabinet approves the Council’s interim plan for Local Government Reorganisation in Surrey (the interim plan comprises Part A in Annex 6 and SCC authored Part B in Annex 7).  

3.    That Cabinet agrees that the Leader of Surrey County Council submits the interim plan to Government for the 21 March deadline.   

4.    That Cabinet notes the District and Borough Councils’ (D&B) authored Part B (Annex 8) and submits this to Government alongside the Council’s Part B for the 21 March deadline.

5.    That Cabinet delegates authority to make any final amendments to the interim plan (and other associated information) for Local Government Reorganisation in Surrey to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, before submission within the deadline given by the Secretary of State.

6.    That Cabinet delegates authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the?Council, to consent to the making of the necessary Regulations to devolve the Land Assembly and Homes England Compulsory Purchase Powers and Adult Skills Fund thereby implementing and giving effect to these aspects which formed part of the County Deal agreed with government in March 2024.  

Reasons for Decisions:

Following the publication of the English Devolution White Paper on 16 December 2024, all councils in Surrey have been invited to move forward on an accelerated pathway for local government reorganisation (LGR), paving the way for further devolution for the county. Approving the Council’s interim plan for LGR in Surrey is an important milestone in our ongoing work with the district and borough councils and government to shape Surrey’s future so it remains a uniquely special place where everyone has a great start to life, people live healthy and fulfilling lives, are enabled to achieve their full potential and contribute to their community, and no one is left behind.

Unitary councils are key to unlocking further devolution for Surrey. A County Devolution Deal was put in place with the previous government and implemented by the current government and will bring more powers and decisions closer to communities. To build on the foundations laid by this agreement, unitary councils will make local government in Surrey fit for purpose so we can take the next steps towards more powers, freedoms and flexibilities to benefit Surrey’s residents and businesses.

Based on our assessment, we believe that reorganising the current 12 councils into two new unitary authorities is the best direction for Surrey to unlock devolution, realise improved local government services, create more financially sustainable local government and to lay the foundations for future public service reform. A shortlist of potential geographical configurations being considered for these unitaries has been included. We recognise that there is support for 3 unitaries but we have explained in the SCC authored Part B (Annex 7) why that is not our preferred option.

Two unitary councils in Surrey would build on current good examples of community engagement and involvement and work even closer with communities to tackle the specific challenges in the towns and villages they cherish. Partnerships will be more straightforward, less fragmented and more cost effective. Having fewer councils will help enable more transparent, quicker and effective partnership decision-making.

Whilst we seek further devolution for the county, we are also focused on implementing the County Deal agreed with the previous government in March 2024. Securing delegated authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, to consent to the necessary regulations needed to devolve the Homes England Compulsory Purchase Power and the Adult Skills Fund to the county council, is a further step towards fully implementing these devolved powers to the County Council.

(The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee)

This decision record sets out the key information for publication on the decision by the Executive Director for Adults, Wellbeing and Health Partnerships to approve expenditure for a Your Fund Surrey project located in Reigate and Banstead. The agreed recommendations are set out below and details of the project are set out in a decision report attached as an Annexe to this record.

It was AGREED to:

Fund the full amount requested of £79,749, comprised of:

Adult Social Care’s Accommodation with Care and Support Strategy (AwCS) was approved by Cabinet in July 2019, the strategy sets out the Council’s ambition to develop 725 affordable units of Extra Care Housing in Surrey by 2030. 

Development of the former Orchard Care Home, former Birchlands Care Home and Colebrook sites for Extra Care Housing Provision via the Design Build Finance Operate (DBFO) supply model was approved by Cabinet at the following meeting:

·       July 2023 – Extra Care Housing – Phase 2 Delivery - Minute Ref 120/23

Approval to procure a development partner for Extra Care Housing sites was granted by Cabinet via the 2023/2024 Annual Procurement Forward Plan (Minute Ref 206/22).

Decision made:

It was agreed that the council shall proceed to award Contracts for the purposes of developing Extra Care Housing schemes on the former Orchard Care Home, former Birchlands Care Home and Colebrook sites.