Homeless child will have his day in court
The High Court has granted a judicial review into Surrey County Council’s decision not to house a “child in need”. In 2019, a 17-year-old who was known to Surrey’s social … Read More
Author: Chris Caulfield - Local Democracy Reporter
Surrey social landlord downgraded by regulator
Problems with repairs, service charges, complaints, damp and mould, contributed to one of Surrey’s largest social housing landlords being downgraded by regulators for failing its tenants. The Regulator of Social … Read More
Surrey braces for doctors’ strike
Hospitals and health services across Surrey are bracing themselves for the longest “and most difficult” strike in NHS history. Junior doctors, who make up about half of the medical workforce, … Read More
Underinvestment hits most vulnerable
The “most vulnerable” people in Woking will be made to find new homes after their extra care facility failed vital fire safety checks and was “all but condemned”. Brockhill Extra … Read More
Surrey Borough running up big debts
Runnymede Borough Council has been served formal notice over its “significant debt” and an over reliance on commercial income to support its services. The Department for Levelling up, Housing and … Read More
Tory leader pleads with Tory Government
Taxpayers in Surrey are likely to be hit with a 5 per cent rate rise because the one-year Government funding package won’t cover the county council’s £13.5 million budget gap, its … Read More
Catalogue of errors – death inquest
A Woking family has spoken of their “incredibly difficult time” after losing their son saying “there is nothing that can take away the pain”. Their comments came after an inquest … Read More
Gatwick 2nd runway sneaking in?
Protesters against the expansion of Gatwick airport have said a new consultation on planning changes is an attempt to “sneak” a second runway through the back door. Gatwick Airport is … Read More
Top salary for bottom borough
Woking Borough Council’s new managing director will be tasked with navigating its “grave” and “extremely vulnerable position” – and be paid more than any other council CEO’s salary while they … Read More
Doctor struck off where police found insufficient evidence
A Surrey doctor who used his position to gain the trust of a woman before choking and sexually assaulting her has been struck off. Former Royal Surrey County Hospital doctor … Read More
Smoke safety lessons for Surrey services
A 63-year-old bedridden man was killed in a house fire after smoking in bed, shortly after an “inexperienced” officer carried out an “unscrutinised” safety visit of his independent living flat. … Read More
Surrey borough kicks up a stink about stink
More than 200 tankers of human poo were shipped in to Camberley from across Surrey, Hampshire and London, saving Thames Water millions in potential pollution fines and its sewage trucks … Read More
Poorest will pay for a Council’s mismanagement
Vulnerable people are set to bear the brunt of service charge rises after Woking Borough Council’s executive committee agreed to inflation-busting increases. People who receive community meals or extra care … Read More
No way to discharge bankrupt Council
Bankrupt Woking Borough Council is spending up to £148,000 a year on free charging for electric vehicles – about the same it would cost to save the “Bustler” community bus … Read More
Finance lessons for Parliament from Surrey Boroughs
Surrey Heath Borough Council is burning through its reserves and eyeing up serious cuts to services, the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee was told. The Monday, November 13, cross-party panel of … Read More
Surrey Borough flushed with pride
Toilets in Waverley have reclaimed their thrones as some of the country’s best bogs after inspectors released their results from unannounced lavatory visits. Two watering closets in Waverley Borough Council’s parks … Read More