A transcript of David Hodge, the Leader of Surrey County Council’s speech to full council.

A transcript of David Hodge, the Leader of Surrey County Council’s speech to full council, given on 11 October 2011.

[Check against delivery]

Madam Chairman, I would like to thank members for giving me the honour of leading the county council. It is a privilege to serve the residents and businesses of our wonderful county.

I would like to start by paying tribute to the work Andrew has done as leader. Through his hard work the council has gone from strength to strength.

This office comes with huge responsibility. I will not shy away from that responsibility. I intend to do everything possible to further improve the services we provide to the people of Surrey.

But I am also acutely aware that we will be stronger as a county if we work together as one team.

I do not presume to have all the answers, all the power or all the authority to make every decision affecting the county.  Our county council needs a new approach.

One that recognises that the best decisions are made when everyone’s views are considered carefully.  One that recognises that we will be more effective if we work together.  And one that recognises that those best placed to decide should be given the freedom to do so.

My approach will be based on listening, learning and localising, before deciding.

And only deciding following careful assessment and considered debate.  While accepting the responsibility for leading the council – I recognise completely the need to work in partnership with others as much as possible. I believe that the leader is stronger if he leads with his Cabinet. The council is stronger if members lead with officers. And Surrey is stronger if the council leads with the rest of the community.

I would like to announce one crucial policy change today.  It stems from this new approach. The county council’s on-street parking policy has proved enormously unpopular.  I believe we should be strong enough to recognise when we have got something wrong. That is why I can announce that the single countywide policy for on-street parking ends today

Local committees – working with the boroughs and districts – are far better placed to make these decisions.  From today, local committees will have the freedom to decide without interference from us.  They will not refer decisions to the Cabinet.  We trust them to make the right choice for their communities.  I will soon be issuing more details.

Nonetheless no one should be in any doubt that there will continue to be difficult decisions for us to take. And some will prove unpopular.  As a county, we must live within our means. We have to work with the funds available to us. To fail to do so would be irresponsible.

We already know that the county council needs to save more than £200 million over the next four years.  Our Public Value Review process has already identified £90 million of these savings and improved the quality of services. I am committed to continuing this work and finishing the job, whilst preserving frontline services.

It will mean continuing to strive to do more for less as well as recognising there are often better ways of doing things and others better placed to do them.  I have no doubt that the result will be a stronger community and a stronger economy for Surrey.

I intend to lead Surrey not as a strong leader but through strong collective leadership

The leader should not lead as an individual but as part of a team made up of able and committed people.  This style of collective working will be replicated throughout the county council and with our partners.

Madam Chairman, I would therefore be obliged if you would assemble a small team of members to work with the Chief Executive, the Monitoring Officer and Head of Democratic Services to look at the constitution and build in the One Team approach as the cornerstone for how we operate.

My focus will be on developing Surrey County Council into the best local authority in the country and working with others to help Surrey develop both as an economy and as a community. To achieve this, I will assemble around me a team capable of realising this ambition.

Members will shortly be provided with a list of the new Cabinet and designated portfolios. I am pleased to announce that Peter Martin will be the new Deputy Leader for the county council. He has done tremendous work helping the Children’s Schools and Families directorate. Transforming the service it provides to some of the most vulnerable in our society.  And I cannot think of anyone better placed to help me guide the council to even greater things.

There will be two new members to the Cabinet. Helyn Clack and Tony Samuels.

I have no doubt they will strengthen an already extremely able team. Lynne Hack is stepping down from the Cabinet. I would like to thank her for her service on the Cabinet. The work she has done whilst managing the environment portfolio will benefit the county and its residents for many years to come.

As a Cabinet, we are extremely lucky to have such a talented Senior Management Team. Under the guidance of the Chief Executive, they do an outstanding job of managing the day-to-day running of the council.

But I am also immensely proud of all the county council’s staff. I am acutely aware that only by having the best staff can we provide Surrey with the best services.

Tomorrow the Chief Executive and I will be visiting staff in Woking, Reigate, Leatherhead, Runnymede and here at County Hall to tell them how much we appreciate the work they do for Surrey.  They can also be assured that we will invest  in them and support them so they continue to have the right skills to serve the county.

Together, the officers and members of this council have achieved some exceptional results. We are putting Surrey at the forefront of local government and with the One Team approach I believe we will achieve even greater things.

Through the dedicated service of both members and officers, working together as one team, we will be able to build on these achievements and make Surrey the best – the very best council in the country by 2017.

Ends