Lib Dem motion secures unanimous support for urgent action on Sara Sharif review

Surrey County Councillors today unanimously backed a Liberal Democrats’ motion responding to the Child Safeguarding Practice Review into the tragic death of Sara Sharif. 

In proposing his motion Cllr Lance Spencer, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats’ group, said he had been motivated on two counts. In the first instance Sara had for a short time lived in his division (Goldsworth East & Horsell Village). Secondly and more importantly, he had been dismayed by Surrey County Council’s initial response to the findings in the review. In his view the local authority had tried to brush its failings under the carpet by insisting that Children’s services had made progress since the tragedy and that the issues identified in the review needed no further examination.

Councillors from across the political spectrum agreed with Cllr Spencer and spoke in support of the motion that has now committed the Council to urgent, transparent and time-bound action including:

• Extraordinary Select Committee meeting: To be held before year-end, scrutinising the review in public and shaping recommendations to the Secretary of State. 
• Independent expert review: Commissioned by the Chief Executive to examine culture, systems and training, with interim findings due February 2026 and final recommendations by March 2026.
• National engagement: The Leader will write to the Secretary of State and MPs, pressing for urgent national action and legislative change.

The motion was seconded by Cllr Liz Townsend, Lib Dem member of Children’s, Families & Lifelong Learning Select Committee: “The motion sets firm steps: public scrutiny, independent assurance and national engagement. Our priority is restoring public confidence and ensuring these failures are never repeated.”

In response to the unanimous vote across the council chamber, Cllr Spencer remarked that: “Councillors have united in the interests of children’s safety. This sends a clear message that urgent, comprehensive action is required, and accountability will follow.”