Surrey County Council’s Cabinet have agreed to endorse the continuation of the Neighbourhood Area Committees (NACs) at Surrey County Council’s Cabinet meeting Tuesday 27 January to ensure that community voices are heard.
Findings on the success and progress of the NACs were provided and the following proposals put forward:
- Continue the four pilot NACs where partners are supportive, up until the pre-election period in 2026.
- Take steps to actively share the learning from the pilot evaluation with partners across Surrey, including the new Shadow Authorities once established in May 2026.
- Consider the potential to expand the pilot to one or two further areas from May 2026 onwards.
Cabinet have agreed to progress with all proposals, and councillors remarked on the enthusiasm and appetite of partners to be a part of NACs.
The evaluation carried out had confirmed strong support for continuing NACs in 2026 in the four pilot areas, with 100% of the 24 committee members who responded to the final survey endorsing their continuation and 83% reporting a positive impact on their work.
Leader of Surrey County Council, Councillor Tim Oliver said: “These pilots have shown what’s possible when communities, councils, and partners work even closer together. By listening to local voices and aligning priorities, we’re building stronger neighbourhoods—and this is just the start. We’re committed to scaling up these successes across Surrey to create lasting change. These NACs have achieved what they set out to test – stronger stakeholder engagement and consensus on evidence based local priorities”.
Surrey Downs, Integrated Care Partnership, Programme Director, Emma Cox, said: “NHS involvement in the NACs aligns with the ambitions of the newly launched Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme (NHIP) which is designed to bring more coordinated, accessible care directly to communities. NAC’s will be an important part in making connections in communities to help deliver this important new era in helping to shape delivery of community care”.
Surrey Voluntary Community Social Enterprise (VCSE) Alliance Chair Sally Dubery, said: “It’s vital that the voice of the voluntary and community sector is heard when shaping neighbourhood priorities and action plans. Our organisations work at the heart of local communities, understanding their needs and challenges first-hand. By bringing this insight to the table, we have helped ensure solutions are inclusive, practical, and truly responsive. Stronger partnerships with existing local stakeholders mean we can combine resources, expertise, and passion to create lasting positive change for the people who need it most.”
Lead councillor for Communities and Wellbeing at Farnham Town Council, Councillor Alan Earwaker, said: “Farnham already has a strong local voice engaging with our community to shape key priorities. The collaboration possible through the NAC in Farnham has further built on these already strong community foundations and identify some key priorities to take forward into the new local government structures in West Surrey. The Farnham NAC’s initial shared goal is to support initiatives that meet the wellbeing needs of young people within their communities enabling them to have a brighter future. We hope the NACs will continue and have effective resources to make a difference as we move forward at this time of significant change.”
Leader of Tandridge District Council, Councillor Catherine Sayer, said: “The NAC has shown lots of potential by bringing together a wide number of community representatives including from the voluntary and health sector so encouraging shared priorities, pooled resources and collaboration. The committee has identified three key themes: poverty, with the aim of establishing a community food pantry across North Tandridge; health and wellbeing for children and young people and the local economy.”
Leader of Elmbridge Borough Council, Councillor Mike Rollings, said: “Throughout the local government reorganisation process, it’s vital that our communities remain at the heart of every decision. Their insight, lived experience, and priorities will help ensure the new arrangements are stronger, more effective, and truly responsive to local needs. The NACs play an important role in this, and Elmbridge was keen to be part of the pilot programme. We are fully supportive of NACs continuing into the future.”
Notes to editors:
Four pilot NACs that were set up to test, learn and grow a neighbourhood governance structure has been brought to Surrey County Council Cabinet. The Cabinet report fed back on the findings and successes of this community engagement model, that ran between July and December 2025.
The four pilot areas were in Dorking and the Villages, East Elmbridge, Farnham, and North Tandridge. The aim, to understand local issues, agree priorities and drive collaborative action promoting preventative activity and ensuring that no one is left behind.
Membership of NACs includes representatives from health partners, Surrey police, education and business sector, Voluntary Community Social Enterprise groups, Local councillors, town and parish councils and community and resident groups. Different localities had a different mix of representatives reflecting the local area and its local needs.
More information can be found here Neighbourhood Area Committees – Surrey County Council
Meeting notes and feedback for each NAC can be found here Neighbourhood Area Committees – Surrey County Council
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