Woking’s Family Centres have received an 'exceptional performance' grading from the Commissioning and Early Help and Hubs Service at Surrey County Council (SCC).

The centres offer one-to-one support to families with children aged up to 11 years old requiring specialist intervention, specifically where circumstances at home are having a significant impact on the health, development or wellbeing of a child.

This summer, to help families combat the rising cost of living, many supermarkets are running 'kids eat free' schemes to make sure no child goes hungry while school is out for summer.

There are a few different locations in and around Woking where you can take advantage of the savings and keep the whole family fed for less.

ASDA, Sheerwater

Forsyth Road, Sheerwater, GU21 5SE

The transformation of Woking continues, as works to upgrade two further town centre car parks will commence later this month, revolutionising the parking experience for shoppers, commuters and visitors to Woking.

From Monday 8 August, new technology will be retrofitted to both the Victoria Place Blue and Yellow car parks.

Joint Waste Solutions, which manage waste services in Elmbridge, Mole Valley, Surrey Heath and Woking, has been informed that strike action by Amey employees in Elmbridge and Surrey Heath commenced on Monday 1 August and it is anticipated to last until Friday 19 August. 

In a record-breaking year Brookwood Cemetery is raising its prestigious Green Flag Award as it is officially recognised as one of the country’s best parks.

Brookwood Park Ltd is celebrating after receiving a Green Flag Award for Brookwood Cemetery and being one of 2,208 UK winners.

The award is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

Residents, businesses and key stakeholders can have their say on a new framework that will guide future development in Woking Town Centre, as part of a 12-week consultation that begins today (Monday 25 July 2022).

Known as a ‘Masterplan’, the document will establish an overarching vision for Woking Town Centre that will enable design-led, sustainable development, such as new homes that meet the needs of residents, a thriving retail and business environment, as well as strengthening Woking’s cultural and leisure offer.

Joint Waste Solutions, who manage waste services in Elmbridge, Mole Valley, Surrey Heath and Woking, has been informed that strike action by Amey employees in Elmbridge and Surrey Heath will take place from Monday 1 August to Friday 19 August.

Crews from the Woking depot are not involved in the industrial action.

Due to the partnership approach, this industrial action may also have an impact on services in Woking

We are currently undertaking general maintenance of our phone systems. It means our main switchboard number will be out of action during the following times:

• From 11pm (Tuesday 19 July) to 5am (Wednesday 20 July)
• From 11pm (Wednesday 20 July) to 5am (Thursday 21 July)

If you urgently require council services during this period, please use the contact details below.

An update on Woking Borough Council’s financial position was discussed by members of the Executive during last Thursday’s meeting (14 July 2022), as part of its financial strategy.

The Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) reflects the Council’s four-year financial plan and the increased pressure and challenges it faces due to cost of living increases, higher inflation, slower than expected economic recovery, reduced income streams and increased service demand.

Parking on Saturdays at Victoria Place will soon become cheaper, following a decision by elected members at last Thursday’s Executive meeting (14 July 2022).

The completion of Victoria Place earlier in the year saw the opening of a range of new stores, including M&S, Skechers, Moss Bros and Gail’s Bakery. More recently, the opening of national fitness brand, Gym Group, has been announced with more leisure brands including Woking Superbowl following in the coming months.

Woking Borough Council’s Executive is proposing a number of governance reforms following a review of its companies.

Councils have the power to set up companies or bodies, which they own, for commercial activities related to their ordinary functions.

Woking Borough Council has 15 wholly owned companies and eight joint ventures. These include the ThamesWey group of companies, Brookwood Cemetery Limited and Victoria Square Woking Limited.

Applying for a community grant will get easier as Woking Borough Council is joining forces with The Community Foundation for Surrey (CFS) to support the voluntary sector and vulnerable people from across the borough, subject to approval at Full Council on 21 July 2022.

CFS, based in Woking, are well-established, trusted experts in grant administration who currently manage over 80 funds, working closely with local businesses, Surrey County Council, and borough and district councils.