Council has 'major projects' to finish in 2026
LDRSThere are several key projects that need finishing before the "lights go out" at a local council in Surrey, the authority has said.
Surrey Heath Borough Council (SHBC) said it needed to finish "major infrastructure improvements and leisure facility enhancements" at Frimley Lodge Park, Lightwater Country Park and Crabtree Park, among other projects.
SHBC leader Shaun Macdonald said Surrey councils would be "working collaboratively before and after" May, when elections for two new mega authorities for the county will take place as part of English local government reorganisation.
The new councils will run alongside the existing ones for a year before fully taking over in 2027.
Macdonald said enhancements at the parks included new padel courts, as well as a pump track for teenagers.
Meanwhile, he said the council was hoping to enable an "exciting" facilities expansion project by a charity for people with disabilities.
The project will build on the recently opened Changing Places facility in Camberley to improve accessibility, he continued.
The council leader said a new waste contract to ensure "seamless service provision in 2027 and improve recycling rates" was also expected to be finalised.
Change looms
His comments come ahead of local government reform that will see the county's local authorities dissolved, dismantled and devolved into East and West Surrey Councils.
Waverley, Guildford, Woking, Surrey Heath, Spelthorne and Runnymede will become West Surrey.
Epsom and Ewell, Elmbridge, Tandridge, Reigate and Banstead, and Mole Valley residents will form East Surrey.
The government hopes the reform will save money and simplify services, alongside confusion over which council does what, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
"Residents can be assured officers and councillors will be working hard in 2026 to improve Surrey Heath until the lights go out," Macdonald said.
Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook or X. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.