Surrey council moves forward with overhaul of community centres
Elmbridge Borough Council is planning to shift away from the traditional community centre model of supporting the elderly
A Surrey council is moving forward with a radical overhaul to its community centres despite accusations it is relying on a “wing and a prayer” approach.
Elmbridge Borough Council is planning to shift away from the traditional community centre model of supporting the elderly and expand services to include others in need such as single parents, working families and unpaid carers.
But the scheme has prompted outrage from existing users of the community centres who claim the council are turning their backs on the elderly.
The scheme was called in at an overview and scrutiny meeting on Wednesday night (August 6) in a last-ditch attempt by Conservative and Independent councillors to stop the changes. But a majority of councillors voted to continue with the plans.
Cllr John Cope, Conservative Leader of the Opposition, said: “I had hoped the Liberal Democrats would see sense, keep these lifeline community centres open, and halt the mass job losses already underway.
“The funding exists, as does the demand from local residents – but tonight confirms they don’t see community care as a priority. I couldn’t disagree more. We should be expanding support for the elderly and those on lower incomes, not cutting it.”
Opposition councillors voiced alarm that the changes were too much, too soon and had too little evidence to back them up.
Cllr Colin Farlane said: “Residents are extremely concerned about potential closures of these centres … we seem to be running on almost on a wing and a prayer.”
Cllr Mary Marshall questioned how much market research had gone into the proposals and whether there were community or volunteer groups ready and waiting with business plans to takeover the centres. She said the council’s approach was “fingers crossed and thin air”.
But Liberal Democrat and Resident Association councillors defended the vision, arguing the current model is too expensive and not meeting the needs of the wider community.
“We know from all the data we have collected and the research we have done that there are numbers of people for whom the day centre model is simply not the answer to helping meet their needs,” said Cllr Gill Coates, portfolio holder for community care.
“There is no intention to leave people behind or throw them out of the centres because they’re going to turn them into a disco for the youth or whatever,” Cllr Coates added.
She also said that current users of the centre are welcomed and encouraged to be future users as well.
Leader of the council, Mike Rollings explained the speed of the transition is directed by local government reorganisation. All current Surrey borough councils are due to be abolished and replaced by one of two unitary authority models by April 2026.
He said: “Elmbridge borough council has a finite life and it will be handed over to the unitary on April 1, 2026. We’ll be working for the next few months to get these centres into the new regime.”
Members sought guarantees the community centre buildings will not be sold off. Cllr Rollings explained he does anticipate selling any of the community centres and if it was to happen, by reason a charity could not rent the building, it would go back to cabinet to decide.
Under the plans, the much-loved ‘Meals on Wheels’ service is also winding down to be replaced by other options. Opposition councillors raised the alarm about how important the service was as a welfare check and ensuring an older resident could have a hot meal.
They argued not everyone can work a microwave or safely take hot food out of the oven.
But officers said more vulnerable older people will be on adult social care’s radar and may benefit from one-to-one support rather than a quick visit.
They added ‘Meals on Wheels’ could be replaced by not only another service but a few different options to look after people and make sure they are fed.
Council officers rejected accusations that people have already been dismissed from working in the community centres. They explained that those on fixed-term contracts were told they will not be renewed in December 2025, when most were scheduled to end.
Officers also said no employment notices have been given and a full redundancy consultation will be carried out in January 2026.