Last night, members agreed the actions needed to return Woking Borough Council to a path of financial and operational sustainability.

The statement below was presented to the meeting of the Executive on Thursday 15 June 2023 by Cllr Ann-Marie Barker, Leader of Woking Borough Council.

"Tonight’s Executive does not cover the financial situation of the council. The next step in tackling that is a meeting of Full Council next Tuesday 20 June 2023. However, given all that has happened in the last three weeks I thought it would be helpful to make a short statement covering where we are, what happens next and what to expect in the coming months.

Digital inclusion means making sure people have the capability to use the internet to do things that benefit them day to day. It is often defined in terms of having the digital skills to use a computer, the ability to connect to the internet, and equal access for people dependent on assistive technology. 
 

As part of the formal Section 114 Notice process, Woking Borough Council’s Chief Executive, Julie Fisher, has issued a statement in response to the Notice.

The response will be discussed by councillors, along with the full Section 114 Notice and proposed recovery plan, at the Extraordinary Meeting of Full Council which will be held at 7pm on Tuesday 20 June 2023. 

Woking Borough Council’s Section 151 Officer and Interim Director of Finance has today (Wednesday 7 June 2023) issued a Section 114 Notice under the Local Government Act 1988 in response to the unprecedented financial challenges facing the Council.

The Notice is required because the expenditure of the Council is set to exceed the financial resources available, and therefore it can no longer balance its budget for the current financial year nor subsequent years.  

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has today (25 May 2023) published the report of its non-statutory review into Woking Borough Council’s finances, investments and related governance.

This report follows the Department’s earlier letter in October 2022 announcing an external review into the council’s finances.

Read the full report

Exceptional members of Woking’s community celebrated their achievements at the annual Mayor Making ceremony last night (Thursday 18 May), hosted by the outgoing Mayor of Woking, Cllr Saj Hussain.

The event recognises the dedication of Woking residents during the past mayoral year who have demonstrated exemplary behaviours and had a significant impact on the lives of others.

Eminent Citizen

Surrey Fire & Rescue is currently attending a fire in a commercial unit on Oyster Lane, Byfleet.

Local residents should keep windows and doors closed, and avoid the area to allow the service to carry out its work safely.

Part of Oyster Lane remains closed. Please check your route before you travel. 

For the latest information, follow Surrey Fire & Rescue on Twitter.

Cllr M Ilyas Raja became the new Mayor of Woking at the annual Mayor Making ceremony last night (Thursday 18 May).

After a year serving as Woking’s Deputy Mayor, Cllr Raja was first elected to represent the Sheerwater and Maybury ward in 1996 and has since be re-elected six times. Cllr Raja is excited for this next chapter as Mayor which he describes as “a great privilege and honour”.

Born and raised in Kashmir, nicknamed ‘paradise on earth’, Cllr Raja moved to Woking in 1984. Surrey reminded him of Kashmir thanks to its outstanding natural beauty. 

Residents and stakeholders are being asked to read and comment on two important climate change documents that will help Woking on its journey to net zero.   

Woking Borough Council has published two draft strategies, which together, propose a vision of a sustainable borough with net zero carbon emissions, that supports growth and clean development, whilst boosting resilience to the changing climate. 

Statement by Cllr Ann-Marie Barker, Leader of Woking Borough Council, in response to the outcome of the local elections held on Thursday 4 May 2023.

"This is an historic moment. It is an honour and a delight to be the first Leader of a re-elected majority Liberal Democrat administration. In all 49 years of Woking Borough Council, and the many years of predecessor authorities, this has never happened before.

Woking’s favourite commuter car park, Heathside, will become even more convenient for commuters, shoppers and residents.

Following our successful transformation programme that has revolutionised the parking experience in other town centre car parks, work is currently underway to upgrade Heathside car park with the same cutting-edge technology.