A Surrey County Council drive to create apprenticeships has given more than 1,500 young people a leg up on the career ladder. A target to fill 500 apprentice roles in the last year alone has been beaten two months early, with 562 places taken up in just 10 months. The news was confirmed as National … Continue reading
The UK’s first masters degree to train the next generation of roads engineers has been extended to include all private sector firms across the country. EM Highway Services is the first to send a student on SE7’s two-year MSc in highway engineering management. Councils outside the seven local authorities in SE7 have also been invited … Continue reading
Surrey County Council has set a goal of saving nearly £170,000 every day for a year. The authority has revealed plans to save local taxpayers £62 million in the next financial year. Since 2010 the council has made efficiencies totalling £260m and is on track to achieve almost £70m more in 2014/15. In the video below, leader David Hodge sets … Continue reading
Following the Government’s announcement that Surrey County Council has been awarded more than £41 million in extra funding over the next two years for a ‘significant and unexpected’ increase in demand for school places, leader David Hodge said: “We have pushed long and hard for a fair settlement with the help of Surrey MPs and … Continue reading
Surrey County Council is on track to make almost £70million of savings for taxpayers this year – almost £190,000 every day. Annual figures are set to show that savings of £69million for the 2014/15 financial year will be achieved when it ends next month, propelling the total saved in five years to almost £330million. That … Continue reading
Explore the interactive map below for details of some of the road schemes, new school places, extra social care support and flooding schemes Surrey County Council is planning this year. The news follows today’s Full Council decision to increase the council tax by 1.99% in light of the increasing demand for services, including school places and … Continue reading
Surrey County Council’s Cabinet has approved a proposal to increase council tax by 1.99% to take account of falling government grant and rising demand for services, particularly adult social care. The Cabinet’s recommendation will now go forward to a meeting of Surrey’s Full Council on Tuesday 10 February. Leader David Hodge was today interviewed by BBC … Continue reading
Surrey County Council has announced its proposed council tax recommendation for next year. The Cabinet will meet to make a formal recommendation on Tuesday 3 February. A final decision will be taken at a meeting of Surrey’s Full Council on Tuesday 10 February. Leader David Hodge said: “With unprecedented demand for services we are proposing … Continue reading
Utility companies, local enterprise partnerships and businesses will be asked to contribute to a £300 million River Thames defence scheme under plans unveiled at a meeting with the government’s flooding envoy Philip Hammond. Seven councils whose residents and businesses were affected by last February’s floods will work to secure contributions from Thames Valley Berkshire, Enterprise … Continue reading
In response to the Government’s announcement of next year’s funding settlement for councils David Hodge, Leader of Surrey County Council, said: “Today’s funding settlement means we can just about keep essential services going in the short term but in the longer term government needs to recognise the enormous pressure we’re facing. Surrey taxpayers contribute £6bn … Continue reading
Highlights from David Hodge’s statement on school places at today’s Cabinet meeting: Surrey facing a “crisis” over school places pressure Council to stop borrowing tens of millions to fund expansion Status quo would mean Surrey borrowing more than £200m over the next five years – money the county would not pay off for more than … Continue reading
Highlights: Without fairer government funding for school places every child can’t be guaranteed a school place Chancellor’s extra investment for Lower River Thames Flood Defence Scheme welcome but councils still have to find £40m Still awaiting news from government on extra investment needed for other flood schemes, including those for River Mole and River Bourne … Continue reading
Home Secretary Theresa May today joined Surrey County Council Leader David Hodge at Molesey Lock and Weir near Hampton Court to discuss the River Thames Scheme after the government announced £60m of extra funding for the flood defence project. Download the pictures here.
Seven councils whose residents and businesses were affected by floods have signed a pledge to press for a £300 million river defence scheme from the government. Surrey, Richmond, Windsor and Maidenhead, Kingston, Elmbridge, Spelthorne and Runnymede councils signed the agreement alongside Thames Water, the Regional Flood and Coastal Committee and the Environment Agency to push … Continue reading
As national figures for young people classed as not in education, employment or training were released today, Surrey County Council revealed that it has filled 280 apprenticeships in just over six months. Most of the roles were created through a cash incentive scheme for businesses and the others were arranged at the council and through contractors. Surrey … Continue reading