Picture caption: County council Leader David Hodge outlined Surrey’s bids for £27 million to improve flood defences to Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt at a meeting to discuss how residents and businesses in Godalming are being better protected. Quote: Surrey leader David Hodge said: “It is great to work with Mr Hunt on helping Godalming residents … Continue reading
Leader David Hodge today revealed that Surrey County Council is facing bridging a £54 million funding shortfall to deliver 3,000 extra school places for next September – nearly double the gap plugged this year. Mr Hodge told a meeting of the Full Council that expected government funding of £30m for the next academic year will be well short of the … Continue reading
A youth cafe and a community pavilion are among the 23 projects to be awarded a total of almost £570,000 from Surrey County Council’s Community Improvements Fund. An outdoor gym near Stoneleigh, a skate park at Puttenham and a community shop at Strood Green are among the projects to have won cash previously. Below is a video of … Continue reading
As hundreds of young people prepare for next week’s Surrey Opportunities Fair, the county council has revealed it has helped 600 teenagers into apprenticeships since last year’s event through a cash incentive scheme. Since 1,600 young people descended on last October’s skills fair, a raft of employers have come forward to create apprentice roles across … Continue reading
More than 60 bids have been lodged for a share of a £500,000 pot of cash to help people improve their local areas. Surrey County Council received 62 applications from groups before the latest deadline for cash. The Community Improvements Fund was launched by leader David Hodge with the aim of supporting residents’ efforts to independently enhance … Continue reading
Surrey County Council’s leader today made a personal statement following the council’s decision on allowances. David Hodge told Full Council he had decided to accept only the level of allowances recommended by the independent remuneration panel (IRP). Deputy Leader Peter Martin has made the same decision. In his statement, Leader David Hodge said: “When I … Continue reading
Surrey County Council’s Leader has received a crucial boost over Heathrow and Gatwick expansion after the Government’s decision-making body said it would look at infrastructure first. A fortnight ago David Hodge told aviation experts that infrastructure must come before any airport expansion. Yesterday, the Davies Commission confirmed to South East politicians that it will consult … Continue reading
Surrey County Council’s Leader has welcomed Government funding announced today as a first step towards long-term economic growth. Almost £50 million will go into schemes to boost Surrey businesses and transport links over the next six years following a Government announcement today on local Growth Deals through local enterprise partnerships (LEPs). David Hodge said: “We … Continue reading
Surrey County Council has set a goal of saving £72 million this year as the authority continues to face the challenges of increasing demand for services and dwindling funding. Reaching the annual target will propel savings for local taxpayers to £200m in three financial years alone. That sum would be enough to pay for the … Continue reading
Britain needs a new Cabinet minister for infrastructure before any decision is made on expanding Heathrow or Gatwick, Surrey County Council’s leader said yesterday. David Hodge told a group of aviation experts that there was a need to invest now in road, rail, healthcare, schools and housing if either airport’s plans are to go ahead, … Continue reading
Seven local authorities whose residents and businesses were hit by February’s flooding have teamed up to push for £256 million river defences from Government. Surrey, Richmond, Kingston, Windsor and Maidenhead, Elmbridge, Spelthorne and Runnymede councils agreed last Friday to develop a business case for the River Thames Scheme, which would protect riverside homes and businesses … Continue reading
Picnic lovers are being urged to help keep Surrey beautiful as part of an anti-litter campaign. Earlier this year Surrey County Council teamed up with district and boroughs to target rubbish dropped around town centres, motorway junctions and train stations, and is now urging people to take their litter home or bin it to mark … Continue reading
As foster care fortnight headed towards its second week, the MJ published an article by Surrey County Council leader David Hodge about his experiences of growing up in care. Story that appeared in the MJ: With my background, looking after vulnerable children has personal importance for me. I was brought up in an orphanage in the … Continue reading
As fostering fortnight got into full swing, Surrey County Council revealed that its 250 carers have more than 1,600 years of experience between them. Surrey fostering in figures: 1,601 – years of experience carers have clocked up 644 – children currently being looked after 236 – families caring for children 14 – specialist carers. In addition, there are 77 relatives … Continue reading
Surrey County Council Leader David Hodge today revealed several new responsibilities for his Cabinet members. At the annual Full Council meeting, several Cabinet roles were updated, including flooding recovery being added to the portfolio of John Furey, Highways Cabinet Member. The full Cabinet list is as follows: Leader (and Cabinet lead for Statutory Responsibilities) – … Continue reading