## Surrey Council Plans Property Sales to Ease Budget Pressures Surrey County Council is preparing to sell a group of empty properties to help mitigate growing financial strain. The decision forms part of a strategy to reduce the council’s projected budget deficit and free up resources for essential local services. ### Reason for the Sales Officials confirmed that several disused buildings and land plots owned by the council are being reviewed for disposal. These assets, left unused for years, are now considered an opportunity to generate funds and lower maintenance costs. A council spokesperson explained that the move aligns with efforts to create a “sustainable financial model” while meeting the county’s obligations in areas such as adult social care, education, and infrastructure. ### Community and Financial Impact Proceeds from the property sales will be used to stabilize the council’s finances amid pressures caused by rising service demands and limited central government funding. The council emphasized that no active community facilities would be affected by the sale. > “We remain committed to delivering services efficiently while managing taxpayer resources responsibly,” said a Surrey County Council representative. ### Background Like many local authorities in the UK, Surrey County Council faces increasing costs tied to inflation and social care demands. Selling surplus assets has become a commonly used approach to bridge funding gaps without cutting core services. *** *Author summary: Surrey County Council intends to sell unused properties to balance its budget and maintain critical public services amid financial pressure.*

more

BBC — 2025-11-28