Recommendations

Overview

On 4 February 2026, Elmbridge Borough Council approved a set of climate‑action recommendations developed by the Elmbridge Climate Change Citizen’s Panel.

The Panel made 18 recommendations that fell into three categories:

1. Actions Elmbridge can deliver now
2. Long‑term measures linked to the new Local Plan
3. Actions requiring Surrey County Council, national government or the future East Surrey Council

You can read the Panel's recommendations in the report presented to the Cabinet.

Immediate actions residents will see:

Amongst the 18 recommendations, Cabinet has approved several deliverable, high‑impact initiatives, including:

Energy and waste

• Energy‑efficiency support for residents, including roadshows and information packs
• Food‑waste reduction campaigns

Parks and open spaces

• More sustainable management approaches for parks and green areas

Travel

• Improvements to active travel options
• Promotion of cycle‑hire schemes
• Cycle‑training opportunities
• Scoping new cycle‑storage sites

Housing and skills

• Support for social housing providers, including sharing best practice and hosting an energy‑efficiency conference
• Climate‑focused training for councillors and council employees

These actions enable the council to move quickly on resident‑backed ideas ahead of the wider transformation of local government in Surrey. 

Long‑term and partnership actions

Some of the other recommendations will be addressed through the new Local Plan, which will guide future development, infrastructure and environmental protections. 

Other actions, such as major public transport and infrastructure improvements, require collaboration with:

• Surrey County Council
• National government
• The future East Surrey Unitary Authority

Elmbridge will continue engaging partners and briefing local MPs on the national policy changes needed. 

Next steps 

Elmbridge Borough Council will:

• Begin delivering approved recommendations, valued at approximately £20,000
• Brief MPs on actions requiring national intervention
• Work with Surrey County Council ahead of local government reorganisation
• Support academic research, including a University of Surrey paper on the Citizen’s Panel
• Present the Panel’s work at the Surrey Climate Commission event