A new Civic Agreement for Surrey has been signed by Surrey County Council, in partnership with Surrey’s three leading universities – Royal Holloway, University of London; University for the Creative Arts; and the University of Surrey.

This groundbreaking initiative defines a shared commitment for these organisations to work collaboratively in the interests of the wider Surrey community. The aim is to ensure that no one is left behind.

By pooling resources and expertise, partners believe they are better placed to address local needs, drive innovation, and create a more inclusive and resilient Surrey by 2030.

For businesses, this includes a pledge to “create the conditions for sustainable economic growth
within Surrey, to maintain the county’s position as one of the strongest economies outside of London”.

The Civic Agreement was formally signed at an event at Surrey History Centre in Woking last week. Discover more by watching the video below.

What is the Civic Agreement for Surrey?

It will serve as a public commitment to working together to bring about real and positive change to the people who live, learn and work in our communities across the county

Details are set out in a 32-page formal document (PDF) which defines shared priorities, objectives, programmes of work and future ambitions.

All will be delivered against four shared priorities, which are: 

• Growing a sustainable economy so everyone can benefit
• Tackling health inequality
• Enabling a greener future
• Empowered & thriving communities

Why does it matter?

Tim Oliver OBE, Leader of Surrey County Council said: “Surrey’s universities are engines for regional innovation, with a profound impact across all four strategic priorities. The partners are committed to ensuring our residents, communities and businesses can easily access and benefit from our range of innovation organisations, assets, and networks. These all play a part in addressing the four objectives of our agreement, and ensuring that no one is left behind.”

Prof. Max Lu, President and Vice-Chancellor University of Surrey said: “The University of Surrey has a proud track record of collaborating with local government and university partners to address issues that matter to Guildford and the wider Surrey community.

“One recent example is the Games and Innovation Nexus Project, partnering with University for the Creative Arts, Surrey County Council and Warwick University. Other examples include our Centre for Doctoral Training in AI for Digital Media Inclusion, in partnership with Royal Holloway University of London.

“We welcome the strengthening of these ties through the Civic Agreement for Surrey, ensuring the breadth and depth of our expertise from our Institutes for Sustainability and People-Centred AI, and all our schools, and companies on our Surrey Research Park continue to enable our community to grow and thrive.”

Prof. Julie Sanders, Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Royal Holloway, University of London said: “As a University of Social Purpose, we want to take a proactive role in tackling societal changes, enabling sustainable social and economic growth, and improving skills and opportunities for those in our community.

“Our inclusive education and research has a focus on achieving positive benefits for and with our local community, and our collaboration with academic partners, community groups, schools and local government brings investment, jobs and opportunity to Surrey.

“As well as through the Centre for Doctoral Training with the University of Surrey and its emphasis on digital inclusion, this effort is integral to the CoSTAR project, which seeks to ensure the UK’s screen and performance industries have the infrastructure, research and innovation skills to compete globally. Declaring our public agenda through the Civic Agreement for Surrey will amplify the positive role the university can play in the region.”

Prof. Jane Roscoe, President and Vice-Chancellor, University for the Creative Arts said: “As a leading creative university, the University for the Creative Arts plays a pivotal role in driving innovation across the arts, technology and business. Through our partnerships with local government, businesses and fellow academic institutions, we are committed to ensuring that creativity remains at the heart of Surrey’s economic and social growth.

“Our involvement in initiatives like the Games and Innovation Nexus (GAIN) project, alongside Surrey County Council and our university partners, is just one example of how we can harness creative thinking to solve real-world challenges. The Civic Agreement for Surrey reflects our dedication to fostering a creative and inclusive environment that empowers individuals, enriches communities and drives regional innovation.”

Get involved with the Civic Agreement for Surrey

The launch of the Civic Agreement for Surrey is very much the first step in a long-term collaboration. This will include every part of Surrey.

Are you interested in advancing the shared priorities and objectives in the agreement? Get in touch via: civicagreement@surreycc.gov.uk.

You can also get in touch via the Business Surrey contact us form.

Businesses across Surrey now have a much greater voice in guiding the growth of the county’s economy thanks to the relaunched and revitalised Surrey Business Leaders Forum. 

Just weeks after the government handed Surrey County Council greater strategic powers to support economic development across the county, steps have been taken to ensure the private sector has a stronger voice and is right at the heart of local decision-making. 

The Surrey Business Leaders Forum brings together close to 40 individuals representing a diverse range of businesses – from SMEs to Surrey-based multinationals, and including businesses from Surrey’s priority sectors alongside employer representative bodies. 

The Forum will be a driving force to help raise awareness of local business and economic needs. It will also act as a local business champion, ensuring businesses have a voice in decision-making that impacts the local economy.

Acting as an independent advisory group, the Forum will ensure businesses can input, challenge, and guide the Council’s approach to growing the economy.  

The revamped forum met for the first time in May. And this week members took part in a workshop to support the development of a new economic strategy for Surrey. 

Why does the Business Leaders Forum matter?

Matt Furniss, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth, said: “Surrey has a fantastic economic story to tell, with more than 110,000 businesses generating over £50 billion to the UK economy. 

“We know there is more that we can do to work with our private sector to deliver real benefits to our residents and communities. So, we’ve taken steps to move quickly to make the most of the new powers from government, including creating Business Surrey, which provides free and accessible support to all Surrey businesses.

“Ensuring businesses are at the heart of our decision-making process can only strengthen that approach. I’m looking forward to working with businesses to deliver on our priority to grow Surrey’s economy in a sustainable way, while ensuring no one is left behind.”

Chris Hurren, the Chair of the Business Leaders Forum and partner at RSM UK, a leading provider of audit, tax and consulting services, said: “The Surrey Business Leaders Forum brings together an exciting and diverse group of local business leaders who want to be a driving force in shaping Surrey’s economic future and be a voice for all businesses in Surrey. 

“Their knowledge and experiences from the private sector will play a key role in helping shape local decision-making.”

How does Surrey County Council support Surrey businesses?

The Council took the role as Surrey’s strategic economic leader in April this year. Previously, the role was held by the county’s two Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), Enterprise M3 and Coast to Capital.  

It means the council is well-positioned to lead on an enhanced, county-wide oversight and delivery role in driving sustainable growth. Indeed, this is a role which Surrey County Council wants to translate into actual economic benefits for residents and businesses.   

Formal responsibilities for business support through the new Surrey-wide Growth Hub and delivering government-funded skills programmes have also been absorbed. 

View this new offer via Business Surrey, which acts as a single gateway for all Surrey businesses to access support and advice.

Thousands of high street and urban businesses across Surrey now have a collective voice through Surrey BIDs Together.

Surrey is currently home to 12 Business Improvement Districts (BIDs). More are likely to be created over the next five years.

Collectively, BIDs in Surrey have a combined total of 3,700 member organisations and an annual income of £2,617,000.

They are represented as a collective by the organisation ‘Surrey BIDs Together’. 

The group brings together representatives from the BIDs in Camberley, Caterham, Cobham, Cranleigh, Dorking, Epsom, Farnham, Godalming, Guildford, Oxted, Staines on Thames and Walton on Thames.

They meet to share ideas, discuss common themes and work through potential issues or concerns.

They also nominate a representative to sit on the Surrey Business Leaders Forum and One Surrey Growth Board. Both guide the work of Surrey County County and Business Surrey in growing the regional economy.

What are Business Improvement Districts?

Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) are made up of communities of individual businesses. They recognise that having BID status delivers benefits and improvements to their local economies.  

A BID is a designated zone (BID Area) in which businesses (BID Levy Payers) pay an extra charge in addition to business rates.

This allows them to benefit from a wide range of additional services over and above those funded through the standard commercial rates and council services. 

There is no limit on what projects or services can be provided through a Business Improvement District.

The only requirement is that it should be something that is in addition to services provided by local authorities. Improvements may include extra security, cleansing, events and environmental measures.

Anyone can propose a BID. But approval is dependent on a ballot of businesses within the designated zone. For full details, visit the government website.

The aims of BIDs in Surrey

BIDs each have individual aims, decided by their member businesses. However they all have an underlying aim. This is to provide residents, workers and visitors with clean, safe, vibrant and attractive places, where events, culture and arts are represented and visible. 

Members of Surrey BIDs are a mixture of retail, hospitality, professional services, education providers, public service providers and service industries. They range in size from start-up micro businesses to household name multinationals.  

BIDs provide employment, goods, services and entertainment for their areas. They have a keen focus on representing their members in supporting. They also promote the sustained success and vitality of Surrey’s town centres and their local economies.  

Get involved with your local BID

Surrey has a number of active BIDs which make a big contribution to their towns.

The areas with active BIDs are: Camberley, Caterham, Cobham, Cranleigh, Dorking, Epsom, Farnham, Godalming, Guildford, Oxted, Staines on Thames and Walton on Thames.  

Find your local BID in our Business Support Directory.