Revamp of Surrey County Council Assigns New Roles for Members

Published on: 22 May, 2019
Updated on: 24 May, 2019

Surrey leader Tim Oliver revealed cabinet changes in Tuesday’s annual county council meeting and an overhaul of their scrutiny system but councillors representing Guildford Borough divisions, Matt Furniss (Con, Shalford) who has the highways portfolio and Julie Iles (Con, The Horsleys) who covers all age learning, retain their places.

Cllr Zully Grant-Duff

Dr Zully Grant-Duff (Con, Reigate & Banstead)) has taken over as cabinet member for corporate services from Charlotte Morley, who has stepped own.

Cllr Oliver said: “Dr Grant-Duff will be particularly focusing on the rollout of the IT, digital and agile-working transformation programmes. We must and will invest in our staff and give them the tools they need to do an excellent job.

“Charlotte has made a significant contribution to the cabinet over the past 12 months and I am very grateful to her for her support.”

Cabinet deputies take on new responsibilities. Alison Griffiths was deputy for the all-age learning brief, Cameron Mcintosh provided highways support and Wyatt Ramsdale was the environment and waste deputy.

Cllr Tim Oliver

Cllr Oliver continued: “Alison Griffiths will now be working with me in delivering our Surrey-wide health strategy and progressing the integration of this council with Surrey Heartlands.

“Cameron McIntosh will work with Julie Iles in delivering the hugely important transformation of the way we support those with special educational needs and disabilities.

“Wyatt Ramsdale will assist in embedding the restructure of Orbis and working with our partners, East Sussex County Council and Brighton and Hove.

“Natalie Bramhall will ensure we progress the implementation of our asset and place strategy.”

Full details of cabinet portfolios and cabinet deputy roles can be found here.

In addition, proposed changes to the way the council’s services are scrutinised have been given the go-ahead. It means there will now be four select committees instead of six, with membership increasing from 10 to 12.

Chairmen have been handed an enhanced role and there will be more cross-party vice-chairmen to help oversee new “task and finish” groups to perform reviews.

A report to the council meeting outlines that these groups are set to “operate in noticeably different ways to committees and may meet informally and frequently, involving residents and informal partners in their work”.

Cllr Oliver added: “The new structure gives every member of this council the opportunity to make a full and meaningful contribution to the policies and strategies that we pursue and I very much hope it will be embraced across the chamber as a transparent and effective critical friend.”