STRIKING better deals has seen Surrey County Council save taxpayers more than £8 million in just six months, according to Farnham North councillor Denise Le Gal.

The money saved, which has come through negotiation work done by the council’s procurement team and staff in other services, means more than £33 million has now been saved in the last 18 months, sending the total to more than £140 million in the last five years.

Mrs Le Gal, who is also the county council’s cabinet member for business services, said the savings have been generated by renegotiating contracts with the likes of IT businesses, building firms and transport companies.

Surrey County Council’s Denise Le Gal said: “We’re determined to continue delivering excellent value for money to taxpayers through striking better deals and continuing to find new ways of doing things better.

“This will include working with other organisations to transform services and seeking greater devolution of services for the benefit of Surrey’s residents while calling on the government to recognise the demand pressures we face.”