Surrey County Council is to leave four cross-party political bodies 'fighting for the interests of local authorities on a national or regional level'.

Council leader David Hodge triggered Surrey’s exit from the Local Government Association (LGA) in a short letter on March 24, which only became public today (Tuesday, March 28).

Surrey’s departure from the LGA will take place on March 31, 2018, under Section 20 of the association’s constitution.

The county council has also given 12 months' notice to leave the County Councils Network (CCN), South East England Councils (SEEC) and South East Strategic Leaders (SESL).

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A spokesman for Surrey's Conservative group said leaving the LGA would save the council £107,000, leaving the CCN would save it £12,000, leaving the SEEC would save it £19,000, and exiting the SESL would save £11,000.

But Liberal Democrat leader Councillor Hazel Watson said she was appalled by the decision and “secretive” nature of Cllr Hodge negotiating Surrey’s departure.

She added: “The county council needs a voice at the top table and this short-sighted move takes that voice away.

“Only three councils in the country are not members of the LGA, so we are moving from the membership of a large and influential group to an isolated position on the fringes.

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Cllr Watson (pictured above) added that the LGA had helped Surrey to recover millions of pounds after the Icelandic banking crash of 2008-11.

She added: “Councillor Hodge should have consulted widely within the county council before even considering such a rash and intemperate move.

“Yet again, his poor judgement and secretive leadership style have led to a poor decision being taken unilaterally, which is not in the best interest of the council or Surrey residents.”

Cllr Hodge yesterday told the Epsom Guardian he was “on holiday”.

From yesterday: Under-fire Surrey County Council head David Hodge quits as Conservative leader on Local Government Association amid 'sweetheart deal' furore

Cllr Hodge (pictured below) stood down from his leadership of Surrey at the LGA last week claiming he had achieved his goals of shining a light on the pressures councils faced in providing social care.

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But opposition councillors at Surrey County Council claim mounting pressure from Liberal Democrats and Labour parties as well as Tory leaders of other councils forced his hand.

A spokesman for Cllr Hodge’s Conservative Group on Surrey County Council said: "Given the on-going financial challenges facing SCC, it is essential that we consider all expenditure and continue to act prudently with the county's finances.

"Giving notice on our membership of these external organisations allows us to make a final decision a year from now."
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