The Planning Inspectorate has allowed the appeal by Abri Group Ltd and granted planning permission for the demolition of existing buildings and erection of a building of up to 25 storeys comprising 224 residential units, ground floor commercial units, landscaping, bin and cycle storage, public realm works and associated works and facilities at Technology House, 48 - 54 Goldsworth Road, Woking.
 

Buying a property in Woking has just got easier as Woking Borough Council will be transferring its local land charges (LLC) service to HM Land Registry on Thursday 21 March.

The national LLC Register allows users to search for land information online instantly, enabling buying decisions to be made earlier in the conveyancing process.

Most local land charges are restrictions or prohibitions on the use of property or land, such as planning permissions or listed building status.

The council has set out the positive steps it has taken on its journey towards financial sustainability and delivering best value for residents.

Following Government intervention last May, the council has made good progress against its Improvement and Recovery Plan, detailed in the 6 to 9 month progress report published yesterday (13 March). This includes:

Notice of vacancy in Office of Councillor 

Woking Borough Council: Hoe Valley Ward

Notice is hereby given under Section 87(2) of the Local Government Act 1972 that a casual vacancy has arisen in the Office of Borough Councillor for the Hoe Valley Ward, following the resignation of Councillor Andy Caulfield.

The council is calling for expressions of interests from local voluntary and community organisations interested in ensuring the ongoing provision of community assets.

A Community Asset Transfer (CAT) policy, adopted at Full Council earlier this month, sets out the framework for the transfer of council assets to community groups for the benefit of local residents.

The CAT policy will enable the council to make essential budget savings and focus its resources into financing core services.

The deadline for Woking residents to be registered to vote for the upcoming local elections is Tuesday 16 April. 

On Thursday 2 May, registered voters will be able to elect a new Police and Crime Commissioner and members of Woking Borough Council. You can register online ahead of the local elections - it takes just five minutes. Woking residents who have moved address since the last election, will also need to register again to vote.

Woking Borough Council’s budget for 2024/25 was approved by elected members during last night’s Extraordinary Full Council meeting (Monday 4 March 2024).

Approval of the budget was possible following the offer and acceptance of a Government support package and £8.4 million worth of service reductions and savings.

Cllr Ann-Marie Barker, Leader of Woking Borough Council, said: “Yesterday I responded to a letter from the Minister for Local Government, Simon Hoare, accepting the Government support package that allows us to set a budget, subject to agreement of Council on Monday 4 March 2024.

The Planning Committee has approved a change to the tenure mix for Red Phase to address the current over provision of affordable housing by Thameswey.  

The early phases of the Sheerwater Regeneration Project delivered a disproportionate number of affordable homes to help with the rehousing of existing residents. 

The rebalancing to maintain the level of affordable housing as per the original consented scheme (46%), was agreed in July 2023 as part of the council’s decision to end its development agreement with Thamesway.

Council tenants are being asked to rate the housing services provided by their landlord, Woking Borough Council, as part of a Tenant Satisfaction Survey launched last week (Tuesday 13 February 2024). 

A multi-million pound investment in the borough’s social housing stock was agreed by members of Council during last night’s meeting (Thursday 8 February 2024).

Since housing services returned in-house in April 2022, it has become clear that the council’s housing stock is in a poor condition and requires significant capital investment. The investment will deliver a programme of vital safety improvements to many council homes.

Proposals that will deliver over £8 million in council service-related savings have been approved by councillors during a meeting of Council (Thursday 8 February 2024). The decision will support the delivery of a balanced budget for the next financial year.

During the meeting, councillors also agreed an additional package of support for Citizens’ Advice Woking (CAW) which will assist them in finding alternative financial streams and transition away from council funding.