As Surrey County Council faces dwindling funding and increased demand for services, its leader and cabinet have promised to continue their money-saving drive.

In a new year message, leader David Hodge revealed more than 50 ways the council had tried to find savings and improve efficiency.

Hosting the Olympic cycling events, for instance, brought more than £800m of business and volunteering opportunities to Surrey.

Mr Hodge said: “The number of older people we need to help has increased from 8,000 to nearly 8,500 in the past two years and will increase by more than 1,000 in the next three years. On average, we spend about £25,000 per person every year so the costs are enormous.”

At the same time, he added: “Over the next three years we will need to build nearly 10,000 school places at a cost of more than £10,000 a place. That will come on top of the 6,000 we have provided since 2010 – the equivalent of about 15 primary schools – as the number of extra places has quadrupled.”

The council has saved £200m since 2010 and plans to find more than £220m in savings over the next four years.

To see all 50 ways the council has saved money, visit surreycc.gov.uk/your-council/council-tax-and-finance/surrey-adds-value.