As demand for critical services continues to rise, Surrey leader David Hodge has revealed that almost two thirds of the county council’s spending goes on the wellbeing of adults and children – 65 pence in every pound. In the video below he points to the number of older people needing the highest level of care … Continue reading
David Hodge, Leader of Surrey County Council, has announced a proposal to seek a council tax rise of 15%. He said: “We have to set a budget that will protect vital services for Surrey residents. “Government has cut our annual grant by £170m since 2010 – leaving a huge gap in our budget. “Demand for … Continue reading
Surrey County Council has outlined plans to expand 11 schools from September to meet rising demand for places. The projects are set to deliver almost 1,700 extra places across seven primary and four secondary schools. Linda Kemeny, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Schools, Skills and Educational Achievement, said: “We know that 11,000 extra school … Continue reading
With parts of Surrey seeing snow, a fleet of gritters has been out spreading salt on the county’s roads. Any residents affected can find information and advice on the council’s website. They can also get traffic updates on the BBC’s website while the county council is running a twitter feed to provide information on gritting … Continue reading
On the day Theresa May pledged to transform the way mental health issues are dealt with, the Prime Minister visited Aldershot’s Wellbeing Centre and Safe Haven – one of six cafe-style drop-in services providing support that are funded by organisations including Surrey County Council, clinical commissioning groups and Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Helyn … Continue reading
Two extra people could need help from Surrey County Council every day this year for a learning disability. By last December, 3,500 people with a learning disability were being supported – a figure that the authority estimates will rise to 3,750 by this April. A repeat of that five-month rate of increase across the whole … Continue reading
Elderly, disabled and seriously ill loved ones will get more help and support under planned county council contracts to help Surrey’s “unsung heroes”. The county council and Surrey’s six clinical commissioning groups are preparing to sign contracts to give carers breaks to recharge the batteries and provide help with their physical and emotional needs. Doing … Continue reading
Surrey County Council leader David Hodge has been awarded a CBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours. Mr Hodge, who has been leader of the council since 2011, was awarded the honour for services to local government and charity. Mr Hodge said: “I’m delighted and honoured to receive this accolade which is really a tribute … Continue reading
While families open presents and tuck into Christmas dinner or relax over the new year, it’s business as usual for the council’s unsung heroes who will be serving their communities over the festive period. Peter Martin, Surrey County Council deputy leader, said: “While most of us are opening presents are tucking into a turkey dinner on … Continue reading
The organisers of Prudential RideLondon have announced that cyclists have raised more than £41 million for charity over the first four years of the world’s greatest festival of cycling. This year riders in the festival raised more than £12 million for charity, equalling the record set in 2015. A total of 26,770 riders completed the … Continue reading
Surrey is among the top-performing councils in national tests for 11-year-olds, according to an official breakdown of results. Sixty per cent of pupils at Surrey primary schools reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths compared with a national average of 54 per cent and a South East average of 55 per cent. It … Continue reading
Fire engines to highlight co-responding duties Fire engines will be taking on a new look to highlight Surrey firefighters’ role to respond to certain medical emergencies. Surrey Fire and Rescue Service’s 30 fire engines will display artwork about the potentially lifesaving medical support and equipment crews can provide with nearly 440 firefighters now trained up for … Continue reading
A plan for Surrey’s councils to create a new county-wide waste collection and disposal service saving taxpayers up to £12million-a-year has taken its first step forward. The joint service would bring benefits for residents including standard recycling and waste collections across the county while also generating savings to be shared across all councils. Four districts … Continue reading
MP pays Surrey fire service a visit Minister Brandon Lewis visited Surrey Fire and Rescue Service’s headquarters to find out more about joint working between the emergency services in Surrey and Sussex. Mr Lewis, Minister of State for Policing and the Fire Service, met Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Associate for Community Safety Services Kay Hammond … Continue reading
The success of a scheme to make Surrey the best connected county in England has triggered a £3.8 million broadband windfall. That is Surrey County Council’s share of funds made available by BT after better than expected take-up of fibre broadband. Superfast Surrey connected around 20% of homes and businesses – more than 86,000 premises … Continue reading