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Savings of £280 million confirmed from Public Value Reviews
An efficiency programme of Public Value Reviews (PVRs) unearthed almost £280 million of savings, a report to Surrey Council’s Cabinet has confirmed. The programme to ensure residents receive the best possible services and maximum value for money ended with total savings of £279m being uncovered by 2016. Savings over four years included: More than £28m … Continue reading
Surrey invests £1.7m in mental health care
Surrey County Council will invest an extra £1.7 million to help people with mental health issues stay in their own homes and communities following a Cabinet decision. The cash will be given to voluntary groups in each of Surrey’s boroughs and districts over three years to provide mental health advice and support in the heart … Continue reading
Watchdog praises bus review
A public transport watchdog has praised Surrey’s review of bus services and recommended other councils take notice. Passenger Focus has produced a best practice guide for cash-strapped local authorities that need to reduce costs, amid what the organisation calls ‘the greatest financial challenge for the English bus industry in a generation’. The independent watchdog used … Continue reading
Planning ahead to win funds for major road schemes
A ‘to do list’ of major road schemes designed to reduce congestion and boost economic growth has been approved by Surrey County Council’s Cabinet. The list was drawn up in preparation for a series of new funding opportunities worth millions of pounds, which will become available from Government. Initial planning work will begin on the road projects so … Continue reading
BBC Surrey interview about new advice centres for people with dementia
BBC Surrey presenter Nigel Williams has interviewed Surrey County Council’s Strategic Director for Adult Social Care Sarah Mitchell about four new advice centres being opened for people with dementia as part of plans for a county-wide network. Audio courtesy of BBC Surrey
Strategic director takes part in Guardian debate
Surrey County Council’s Strategic Director for Adult Social Care Sarah Mitchell participated in a debate organised by the Guardian about councils working with others to provide better support. She emphasised the £10 million being invested to work with boroughs and districts on schemes that help older people stay in their homes and communities and highlighted … Continue reading
Ash disease call for vigilance
The spread of ash disease across parts of the UK has led to a call for Surrey residents to be vigilant. The county council has been working with national and regional organisations, including the Forestry Commission, Surrey Wildlife Trust and local councils, to ensure Surrey is prepared for an outbreak of the disease, also known … Continue reading
Increase in school places
An extra 8,600 new schools places are being created as part of a five year programme to meet an increase in demand from surging birth rates. The extra places feature in the School Organisation Plan which was discussed by members of Surrey County Council’s Cabinet on Tuesday, November 27. The document, which is reviewed annually, … Continue reading
Deputy Leader interviewed about superfast broadband
Deputy Leader of Surrey County Council was interviewed about how plans to roll out superfast broadband to virtually every home and business in Surrey can now go ahead, following a green light from the EU. -Audio Courtesy of BBC Surrey Read more about the plans here.
EU green light for superfast broadband roll out
Plans to roll out superfast broadband to virtually every home and business in Surrey can go ahead, following a green light from the EU. In September, Surrey County Council selected BT to create a county-wide high-speed network to help firms do business online and ensure communities get all the benefits of the digital world. Once … Continue reading
Gritter Twitter for winter weather
A ‘gritter Twitter’ service will help motorists plan their journeys during bouts of snow and ice this winter. The social networking feed, at http://www.twitter.com/surreytravel, provides updates on gritting activity, weather conditions, road closures and traffic information. It is updated by Surrey County Council, the Highways Agency and BBC Surrey. John Furey, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet … Continue reading
Community shop, outdoor gym and BMX park in running to win community fund cash
A community shop, an outdoor gym and a BMX and skate park are among the projects in the running to win cash from Surrey County Council. They feature on a shortlist of 12 bids that a panel of councillors has recommended to receive money from the Community Improvements Fund which was launched by Surrey County … Continue reading
Gold for Godstone Village School
An Olympics inspired compost bin has won Godstone Village School the top prize in a painting competition. As part of Surrey County Council’s home composting campaign, the events team held composting days at several primary and junior schools in Surrey. Each school was given three compost bins and a set of painting materials to give … Continue reading
Council publishes review of adult social care services
Three new advice centres run by and for disabled people, extra support at home for patients leaving hospital and a small army of dementia advisers are highlighted in a review of Surrey County Council’s services for vulnerable people. They are set out in a report published by the council looking at the services provided for … Continue reading
Improving Surrey’s roads
Extra roadshows have been organised to help people give their views on improving Surrey’s roads. The county council is asking residents to help it create a list of roads most in need of repair. The list will form part of a new longer-term approach to road maintenance which aims to tackle the root cause of … Continue reading
