Woking Town Centre played host to the return of the Trident Honda Woking Car Show on Sunday 24 September – a free event that drove thousands of visitors and car enthusiast into town. 

The showcase of 70 Classic, American and Custom cars stretched from Victoria Place to Jubilee Square and included several Mustangs, Hot Rods, Chevrolet Pick-ups, vintage Rovers and a rare Alpha Romeo GTV.

Woking Borough Council has published a report setting out the strategic financial approach required to deliver the council’s Improvement and Recovery Plan (IRP) and tackle its severe financial challenges.

The council faces a critical financial shortfall owing to its historic investment strategy that has resulted in unaffordable borrowing, inadequate steps to repay that borrowing and high values of irrecoverable loans.

Cllr Liam Lyons, Woking Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regulation, said: “I shared the frustration and disappointment of many local residents when we learned that Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funds were not currently available due to the financial restrictions as a result of the council’s Section 114 Notice, issued in June.

Woking Town Centre is gearing up to host the Trident Honda Woking Car Show – a diverse and exciting showcase of locally owned and loved Classic, American and Custom cars. 

This free, one-day event on Sunday 24 September 2023 is being organised by local car enthusiast, Terry Fox, and sponsored by Trident Honda, which this year is celebrating its 60th year in the motor trade.

A robust plan that will deliver a smaller, more efficient organisation and tackle the severe financial challenges facing Woking Borough Council, has been adopted following last night’s extraordinary meeting of Full Council (Tuesday 22 August 2023).

A survey giving residents and community partners the opportunity to have their say on the future of discretionary council services has ended.

The month-long resident engagement, which closed on Thursday 10 August 2023, received over 8,000 responses and is one of the most successful engagement exercises conducted by Woking Borough Council.

Respondents were broadly representative of the borough’s demographic when compared with the recent Census.

Woking Borough Council residents are being urged to check their electoral registration details or risk losing their chance to vote on decisions that affect them. 

The annual canvass allows the Council to keep the electoral register up-to-date, to identify who risks losing their voice at elections, and to encourage them to register before it’s too late. 

Cllr Ann-Marie Barker, Leader of Woking Borough Council, said: “I was deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of a young girl in Horsell.

“This is such heart-breaking news. Words simply cannot express the pain and sorrow that comes with such a devastating incident. My thoughts are with the family and friends and all those in the local community during this incredibly difficult time.

Woking Borough Council has launched a public consultation regarding the future of the Sheerwater Regeneration Project. 

Due to its severe financial challenges, the council has decided to end its development agreement with Thameswey, which is mid-way through the delivery of a 1,200 home, multi-phase regeneration scheme in Sheerwater. 

Thameswey will continue to work on the three phases currently under construction but will not commence any new phases. 

Cllr Liam Lyons, Woking Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regulation, said: “The Council is committed to improving amenities which enable local communities to thrive. The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a levy that Councils apply to new developments. It plays a critical role in maximising the funds available to Councils and communities to improve local amenities, from park improvements to safer highway schemes.

With the delayed Victoria Way highway improvements nearing completion, a programme of carriageway resurfacing works will begin on Friday 11 August 2023, benefiting highway users and pedestrians.

To facilitate these works, which includes reinstating the junction between Church Street West and Victoria Way. a series of overnight highway closures are necessary.

The overnight closures outlined below will start from 7pm and finish by 6am unless otherwise stated.

Local residents and community partners have until Thursday 10 August 2023 to have their say on the future of Woking Borough Council discretionary services.

So far the council has received over 6,500 responses and is keen to hear from more local residents and stakeholders before it’s too late.

Services, such as arts and culture, sports and leisure, and independent living, are currently provided and funded at the discretion of Woking Borough Council. Many councils do not always fund or provide these services.