Following the initial 5-year Plan set in 2020, the Greener Futures Team at Surrey County Council needs to review and redefine this Plan for the next 5 years, between 2026 and 2031. The need to review has come even more into focus with the forthcoming Local Government Reorganisation on the horizon. With a new over-riding Strategic Authority needing to be in place by 2026, it is more important than ever that a robust, but ambitious plan is in place, when new priorities are set. We were delighted therefore that, as part of the process, the Commission was asked to convene a panel of independent experts to assess, challenge, and amend the original draft. The Greener Futures Team see this as an essential part of delivering a plan that is robust enough to withstand scrutiny from experts, representing many areas of specialisation.
Following a rigorous selection process, a panel of around 15 specialists have been chosen, whose experience and expertise cover a range of areas, including transport, energy, finance, and circular economy, to name but a few. The experts will make their specific critiques following a number of meetings set between now and the Autumn. The terms of reference for this will be drafted by the Greener Futures Team.
The Commission’s role, filled by Surrey Climate Commission Chairperson, Richard Essex, and Commission Director, Angela Druckman, will be to ensure that the brief is understood, make sure everybody’s voice is heard to ensure optimum input, and ultimately to ensure that the review process provides the most effective outcome.
 "Photo by Ian Christie")