CONCERNS about the damaging impact of Surrey County Council’s cost-cutting proposals for key services have been raised directly with new leader Tim Oliver by Waverley Borough Council.

The public consultation closed on January 4 over five controversial proposals that would see 31 children’s centres shut – including Haslemere’s SureStart centre – up to six community recycling centres closed – including Farnham and Cranleigh – restrictions to concessionary bus travel, possible centralisation of libraries, and changes to special educational needs and disabilities.

Thanking all those who responded – more than 23,000 – Mr Oliver said it was an “excellent” response from residents and very constructive responses had been received from partner organisations. The feedback will be analysed before a recommendation is made to Cabinet on Tuesday, January 29, on the changes needed to make the best use of the money available.

Firing off a joint letter to on behalf of Waverley, chief executive Tim Horwood and council leader Julia Potts warn of the potential impact on borough residents, as well as the effect on its own service delivery.

Noting that the pressures on Waverley to produce a balanced budget are also “very challenging due to rising demands on service and the elimination of government grant in funding”, Mr Horward and Ms Potts said the current projections are that the borough council will have to reduce its cost base by more than 25 per cent over the next three to four years.

They urge that shared challenges will require shared solutions, meaning councils and others across Surrey must find new ways of collaborating if they are to continue to provide sustainable public services to local residents and businesses in the medium term.

As the largest borough in Surrey and with 65 per cent of the population living in rural areas or rural-related hub towns, Waverley faces “massive pressures”, including poor public transport, rural isolation, the highest proportion of older residents, exceptionally high housing costs, and infrastructure that already requires investment.

Writing to Mr Oliver, Waverley’s chief executive and leader said: “There are serious concerns that the proposed closure of recycling centres in Waverley will have a more significant impact on the environment than the previous restrictions in opening hours. Increased travelling distances will increase the temptation for residents to fly-tip indiscriminately or increasingly fly-tip at Waverley’s household recycling centres, which are only intended for recyclable materials.

“A further major concern is around the impact of the planned development in the Cranleigh area. With around 1,700 new homes in Cranleigh and 2,600 new homes in the Local Plan for Dunsfold, there will inevitably be a significant increase in demand for the community recycling centre service in the area. Closing the site will add further to the congestion and pollution.

“Farnham is both the borough’s and one of the county’s largest towns with a population of around 40,000 and plans for 2,780 more houses in the next decade. It would be very challenging for residents in the Farnham area to travel regularly to Witley or Guildford.

“Waverley has seven children’s centres covering towns and villages. We are concerned that the reduction to two centres at Loseley Fields and Hale, with satellites at the Wharf nursery in Godalming and Potters Gate in Farnham, will mean that the large rural area of Waverley will be seriously impacted.

“We know that there is need in these areas. The rural nature of the borough and the low level of public transport mean that many families will be unable to reach the remaining centres, even if they can afford to.

“We are not convinced that outreach workers will have the capacity to support these families nor that there will be sufficient resource. We are concerned that this reduction in service could jeopardise the aim in the county’s corporate strategy to improve outcomes for children in need of support and protection.”