Good Morning Surrey,
There is a particular kind of February morning, when the rain has the confidence of a seasoned bureaucrat, and the paperwork arrives as if it owns the place. You step over puddles that look suspiciously like small lakes, you glance at a flood map the way you might glance at an old family portrait, then you try to remember which slice of your council tax pays for what, and who exactly you are supposed to ring when it doesn’t.
This week brings the bigger questions to the front of the room, new councils, new budgets, new housing proposals, all circling the same familiar streets and fields. Underneath it all, daily life keeps moving, quietly and stubbornly, libraries preparing for the National Year of Reading, foodbanks and church halls doing the practical work, and half term looming like a polite threat.
Our midweek brief pulls those threads together, so you can see what genuinely changes how Surrey works, what may touch your street, and where the small bright spots are hiding.
One small curiosity while you read, do you remember the first Surrey library you ever joined, and is it still there today?
In today’s edition:
River Bourne flood warning, Chertsey, what to watch over the next few days
National Cancer Plan, Early education and childcare, and Renters’ Rights Act,
Council tax 2026 to 2027, including Surrey County Council, Police precept,
Support funds, foodbanks, and Go All In reading plans across Surrey Libraries
Mid February events, comedy, half term ideas, markets, and Qigong in the Surrey Hills
Let’s take a look.
—Prince Khurram
P.S. Our Monday Update leans more towards news, the Wednesday Midweek Brief balances news and events, and the Friday Weekender is lighter on news and fuller on events and Eat & Drink. We would really welcome your thoughts on this format and how we can improve The Surrey Digest for you.
News
Future Surrey, devolution and local government reorganisation
Source: SCC
The shape of local government in Surrey is changing, and not in the gentle way that usually involves a new logo and a slightly different shade of blue. The Government has confirmed a move to two unitary councils, and that decision will decide who runs your day to day services, and who you chase when something stops working.
What: The Government has confirmed two new unitary councils, East Surrey and West Surrey, replacing the current two tier system.
When: Elections to the new shadow councils are due in May 2026.
Key dates: Existing councils dissolve on 31 March 2027, the new councils take over on 1 April 2027.
What changes for residents: Responsibility for roads, schools, social care, planning and waste services will sit with the new unitaries, which also means your point of contact for fixes, complaints and queries will change.
Why it matters now: Over the next year you will see new names, new boundaries and new signposting, and the earlier you know which council you fall under, the less time you spend being politely redirected.
Click here: To understand the timetable for the 2026 unitary elections and how council services will be reorganised.
River Bourne flood warning at Chertsey
Source: TSD
What, A flood warning remains in place on the River Bourne after it burst its banks, affecting local roads, riverside parks and some gardens.
Where and when, Around the Bourne corridor near Eastworth Road and Hamm Court, after days of heavy rain, with unsettled weather still in the forecast.
Why it matters, Residents, drivers and dog walkers in this part of north Surrey may see localised flooding, path closures and standing water even if levels continue to ease.
The Environment Agency warning for Chertsey says flooding of property and roads remains possible, with levels falling slowly but staying high over the coming days.
National headlines for Surrey
National Cancer Plan for England, 2026 to 2031
Source: somersetft.nhs.uk
The new National Cancer Plan sets priorities across England for prevention, earlier diagnosis and better long term survival, including an ambition that three in four people diagnosed will live at least ten years. For Surrey residents this will feed through into how local hospitals, screening programmes and GPs organise tests and treatment pathways over the next five years.
Click here: To read the national cancer plan and its headline ambitions for care between 2026 and 2031.
Early education and childcare, updated free hours guidance
Updated statutory guidance sets out how local authorities and providers must deliver free early education and childcare entitlements, and who qualifies. For families in Surrey it underpins what nurseries, pre schools, childminders and the council can offer, though it does not guarantee places where capacity is tight.
Click here: To check the official rules on free childcare hours and eligibility before querying offers locally.
Renters’ Rights Act, written terms for private renters
New rules under the Renters’ Rights Act bring in a clearer requirement around written tenancy information, including a written statement of terms in some cases, and an information sheet for many existing tenancies, with key changes starting 1 May 2026 and a common deadline of 31 May 2026 for providing required information.
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County Updates
Police precept in council tax to rise
What, The policing element of council tax in Surrey will rise by 4.4 percent in 2026 to 2027, equivalent to about £15 extra a year for a Band D property.
Why it matters, The change helps fund frontline officers, contact centre improvements and investigations, and sits alongside the main county and district precepts on residents’ bills.
Community Digest
Household Support Fund 7, grants to 11 Surrey organisations
What, More than £150,000 from the latest Household Support Fund round has gone to 11 community organisations through the Poverty Prevention Grant, running to the end of March.
Why it matters, It helps fund local partners such as advice services, food projects and community hubs that residents actually interact with when money is tight.
How to access, Residents do not apply for this grant directly; they are referred into support through local partners and wider Household Support Fund schemes.
Click here: To see which organisations have been funded and how Household Support Fund help is accessed.
National Year of Reading 2026, Surrey Libraries, Go All In
What, All 52 branches in the Surrey Libraries network are taking part in the National Year of Reading 2026 under the Go All In banner, with monthly themes and spotlight libraries.
Why it matters, It provides a year long backbone of free or low cost events, family activities and reading challenges, at a time when many households are watching every pound.
🗓️ Events
Elmore Quartet, Coffee Concert | Wed 11 Feb 2026 (Info)
Location: St Christopher’s Church, Haslemere
Description: A free late morning concert, advance registration; ideal if you fancy coffee and chamber music rather than another working lunch.
Price: Free, registration required
Carmen, Ukrainian National Opera | Wed 11 Feb 2026 (Tickets)
Location: Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
Description: Bizet’s Carmen, sung in French with English surtitles; the kind of evening that makes your own inbox feel less tragic.
Price: From the high £30s, check the booking page
Third Class, A Titanic Story | Wed 11 to Thu 12 Feb 2026 (Tickets)
Location: Mill Studio, Guildford
Description: An intimate telling from the lower decks; history, heartbreak, and the quiet relief of not being on a boat.
Price: Standard and concessions, see listing
Guildford Jazz, Denny Ilett and Pete Long’s R and BeBop | Mid Feb 2026 (Info)
Location: Guildford Jazz venue, see listing
Description: February programme highlight; listings note sold out at time of posting, check for returns and waitlist options.
Price: See listing
Ross Noble, Cranium of Curiosities | Wed 11 Feb 2026 (Tickets)
Location: Dorking Halls, Dorking
Description: One of those shows where you arrive tired and leave oddly repaired; tickets were still available at last check.
Price: Around the low £30s, check booking page
February Half Term at The Lightbox | Sat 14 to Sun 22 Feb 2026 (Info)
Location: The Lightbox, Woking
Description: Half term programme including family sessions and Pay What You Wish Wednesday entry slots; under 18s go free with an adult day pass.
Price: Varies, see listing
Artbox, Fun with Watercolour, Collage and Print | Wed 18 Feb 2026 (Tickets)
Location: Farnham Maltings, Farnham
Description: Creative workshop for ages 6 to 16, all materials included; a four hour daytime slot for busy hands and quieter minds.
Price: See listing
Godalming Library of Things, Launch | Wed 18 Feb 2026 (Info)
Location: Godalming Library
Description: Free drop in launch; borrow tools and household kit instead of buying, a concept Surrey will applaud quietly then adopt enthusiastically.
Price: Free
Godalming Operatic Society, Utopia Limited | Tue 18 to Fri 21 Feb 2026 (Tickets)
Location: Borough Hall, Godalming
Description: Gilbert and Sullivan via a local company; comic opera for those who prefer their satire with singing.
Price: See TicketSource link
Qigong Classes, Wednesday Morning Wellbeing | Wed 11 Feb 2026 (Info)
Location: Shamley Green, near Guildford
Description: Weekly Qigong, gentle, outdoor minded; a small act of resistance against the February slump.
Price: Drop in and multi session passes, see listing
Giant Games Family Fun | Half term dates (Info)
Location: Guildford Museum, Guildford
Description: Free giant games sessions linked to its toys and games exhibition; confirm exact dates and times before travelling.
Price: Free
🛍️Markets
Milford Farmers Market | Sun 15 Feb 2026 (Info)
Location: Secrett’s Farm, Milford, near Godalming
Description: Monthly market with local produce, hot food and specialist stalls, the kind of shopping trip that feels vaguely virtuous.
Farnham Farmers’ Market | Sun 22 Feb 2026 (Info)
Location: Central Car Park, Farnham
Description: Monthly market with fresh produce, baked goods and crafts; good for stocking up before half term drains the cupboards.
Haslemere Farmers Market | Sat 7 Mar 2026 (Info)
Location: Haslemere High Street
Description: First Saturday market; one to pencil in now if you like your plans organised and your vegetables smug.
🍴🍷Eat and Drink
Wine and Cheese Tasting | Sun 15 Feb 2026 (Info)
Location: Albury Vineyard, near Shere
Description: Guided tasting with local wines and paired cheeses in the Surrey Hills, calm, grown up, and blessedly indoors.
Price: from £34.95 per person
Perfect Pairings, Valentine’s Experience | Sun 15 Feb 2026 (Info)
Location: Silent Pool Distillery and Albury Vineyard, Surrey Hills
Description: Joint Valentine’s tour and tasting with transport between sites included; romance, but with a timetable.
Price: from £60 per person
Lightbox Café and Canal Side Bite | Wed to Sun, during half term (Info)
Location: The Lightbox café, central Woking
Description: An easy add on for coffee, cake or lunch alongside exhibitions and family sessions; a practical kindness to yourself.
Price: Standard café prices, check menu on site
Local Jobs
Senior or Principal Planning Policy Officer | Closes Thu 13 Feb 2026 (Info)
Location: Elmbridge Borough Council, Civic Centre, Esher, some flexible working
Description: Planning policy role, senior level; for those who can read a housing trajectory without visibly flinching.
Price: Salary £45,868 to £59,657
Lead Community Services Driver and Technician | Closes Fri 13 Feb 2026 (Info)
Location: Epsom and Ewell Borough Council, community transport across the borough
Description: Driver and technician role supporting community transport; practical work with real local impact.
Price: Salary £24,522 to £28,383
GIS Analyst and Administrator | Closes later Feb 2026 (Info)
Location: Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, across Reigate Town Hall and Dorking offices
Description: GIS and admin role; maps, systems and the quiet satisfaction of things lining up correctly.
Price: Salary £35,820 to £45,909
Green Spaces Officer | Closing date on listing (Info)
Location: Elmbridge Borough Council, borough wide parks, commons and cemeteries
Description: Managing green spaces and improvement projects; for anyone who thinks a good park is a public service, not a luxury.
Price: Salary around £40,791 to £42,751
🏢 Directory
SLS Plumbing Services | Ongoing (Info)
Location: Guildford, and within a 15 mile radius
Description: General plumbing, bathroom work, and a 24 hour emergency service, covering much of Waverley and into north east Hampshire.
Price: Quotes vary, request a quote
Boilergurus | Ongoing (Info)
Location: Woking and New Malden, covering Surrey and south west London
Description: 24/7 boiler repair, servicing and installation; useful to have bookmarked before the boiler decides it has opinions.
Price: Quotes vary, request a quote
Surrey Electricians Ltd | Ongoing (Info)
Location: Weybridge, covering domestic and commercial work
Description: Electrical work including EV charger installs, EICR testing and emergency call outs, with strong recent ratings.
Price: Quotes vary, request a quote
Surrey No1 Handyman | Ongoing (Info)
Location: Horley and surrounding areas
Description: Flat pack assembly, shelving and general handyman jobs, plus an emergency service for small urgent fixes.
Price: Quotes vary, request a quote
And Finally,
If your brain is already full of budgets, ballots and bridge closures, the gentlest thread in this brief may be the National Year of Reading. Every Surrey library is joining in, and that means you can go all in by doing something quietly radical, borrowing a book, booking a free storytime ticket, or asking a librarian to make e books behave on your phone.
Somewhere between giant games at Guildford Museum and the Library of Things in Godalming, there is probably a book, zine or audiobook that will make the next wet evening pass a little quicker, and perhaps make February feel less like a long queue.
Thank you for reading. See you on Friday.
