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.

Heathside Crescent car park has reopened to vehicles and pedestrians following a police incident. 

Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience the short-term closure may have caused.

Catalyst and Woking Borough Council have reached agreement to support the Women’s Support Centre in providing its service offer for women in Surrey.

The Women’s Support Centre team will transfer to Catalyst to ensure continuation of the service, and it is hoped that many of the existing volunteers who support the work of the centre will continue to do so through Catalyst.

For over 10 years, the Women’s Support Centre (Surrey) has welcomed women from across Surrey and supported them on their journey of healing, understanding recovery and empowerment.

On Thursday 4 May people in Woking borough will have their say at local elections on who represents them locally. Residents must be on the electoral register to be able to vote in May. 
 
With the registration deadline fast approaching, Woking Borough Council is urging those who are not registered at their current address to make sure they are registered before it is too late. The deadline to register to vote is midnight on Monday 17 April. It takes just five minutes to apply online.
 

Joint statement by Woking Borough Council and Woking Community Transport on the future of Woking's Town Centre Buggy.

"We regret to announce that after more than 20 years’ service, Woking’s Town Centre Buggy will make its final journey on Friday 31 March 2023.

An initiative offering cheaper town centre car parking on Saturdays has been extended to cover the whole weekend, giving you even more reason to visit Victoria Place Woking.

Following last year’s successful trial, visitors can now park up to three hours for just £3 in Victoria Place car park every Saturday and Sunday, with further savings on Saturdays when staying up to five hours.

At 8.30pm on Saturday 25 March 2023, Woking Borough Council will join millions across the world to mark WWF's Earth Hour by switching off its lights for one hour to show its commitment to protecting the future of our planet.

By joining the global event, the Council will take part in a symbolic moment to highlight global issues facing the planet and to remind us that, together, we have the power to make change happen.

Woking has been ranked one of the UK’s best places to live and work in the annual UK Vitality Index 2023 – the third consecutive year the town has featured in the top three.

Compiled by Lambert Smith Hampton, the ‘definitive health check on the UK’s towns and cities’ assesses locations outside London to identify the best places to live, work and do business, in addition to those with the highest growth potential.

Residents and key stakeholders will have the opportunity to contribute towards Woking’s vision for a sustainable borough with net zero carbon emissions that supports growth and clean development, whilst boosting resilience to the changing climate.

Climate change strategy

The current climate change strategy, known as Woking 2050 and adopted in 2015, sets out a vision guiding our collective efforts to create a sustainable borough by reducing our environmental impact.