The newly formed West Surrey Conservative Group has confirmed its leadership team following the recent West Surrey Unitary Council elections, with Cllr Jane Austin elected as Group Leader and Leader of the Opposition, alongside Cllr Jonathan Hulley as Deputy Group Leader.
The appointments come at an important time for local government across Surrey, with the new 90-member West Surrey Council taking responsibility for delivering services across a large and complex area following one of the biggest reorganisations of local government in the county for decades. Residents across Surrey Heath and West Surrey will rightly expect strong leadership, effective governance and a clear focus on delivery from the new authority.
The Liberal Democrats secured overall control of the West Surrey Council with 56 councillors, while Conservatives form a 20-strong opposition group that will play an important role in scrutiny, governance and policy development as the new West Surrey Council takes shape.
Cllr Jane Austin brings significant commercial and leadership experience to the role. A trained chartered surveyor specialising in UK commercial and international investment, she currently leads the Conservative opposition at Waverley Borough Council and represents the Waverley Eastern Villages ward on the new West Surrey Council.
Her background in investment, commercial property and organisational leadership is likely to prove particularly relevant as the West Surrey Council navigates major financial, operational and governance challenges during the transition to unitary local government.
Commenting on her appointment, Cllr Austin said:
“I am thrilled to have the support of colleagues to serve as Leader of the new West Surrey Conservative Group. Collectively, we are an impressive and experienced team, united by a commitment to stand up for Surrey residents.
We will work together to hold the decisions of the incoming administration to account, provide strong local leadership, champion our communities, and help shape the new West Surrey Council so it genuinely delivers for the people we serve.”
Cllr Jonathan Hulley also brings substantial experience in governance, regulation and housing policy. In addition to serving in local government roles across Surrey, he works professionally in the field of social housing law and public sector governance.
His experience in housing regulation and local authority governance is expected to be highly relevant as the West Surrey Council develops its approach to housing delivery, planning, financial oversight and service integration across West Surrey.
Together, the new leadership team combines commercial, legal and public sector experience at a time when residents will rightly expect strong scrutiny, effective governance and constructive opposition within the new West Surrey Council structure.
The new West Surrey Council inherits significant financial and operational challenges and residents across Surrey Heath and West Surrey will expect all parties to focus on practical delivery and long-term stability.
The West Surrey Conservative Group has indicated that it intends to provide constructive but robust opposition, with a focus on accountability, governance, service performance and representing local communities effectively during the transition to the new authority.