Draft Buckinghamshire Council (Adult Education Functions) Regulations 2026 Draft Surrey County Council (Adult Education Functions) Regulations 2026 Draft Warwickshire County Council (Adult Education Functions) Regulations 2026

Will Forster Excerpts

Tuesday 14th April 2026 General Committees

[Mr Will Forster (Woking) (LD)]

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship this afternoon, Sir John. I will speak to the statutory instrument focused on Surrey, my constituency of Woking being foremost in my mind. That statutory instrument transfers certain adult education functions from the Secretary of State to Surrey county council as part of the Government’s devolution agenda. From the 2026-27 school year, Surrey county council would therefore take responsibility for delivery of those education and training functions for people aged 19 and above, including local learning priorities, managing tuition support and other such things.

The Liberal Democrats have concerns about the lack of clarity around how the devolved powers will work in practice, and I would welcome the Minister’s thoughts on that. Does Surrey county council have the necessary capacity, resources and structures to deliver effectively when, as we know, they have significant financial pressures? The council was mentioned during the debate we had yesterday on special educational needs and disabilities, and, as was highlighted, the Secretary of State for Education is concerned about its children’s services and its offer for young people with SEND.

In particular, will the Minister explain why the Government are devolving the powers to Surrey county council in the financial year 2026-27, at the end of which the council will be abolished? That provides no certainty. He is the Minister for Transformation, but transformation happens year after year. Surely this decision can wait for at least one year until East Surrey council and West Surrey council are established and can take on new responsibilities.