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.

As temperatures continue to soar, Woking Borough Council’s Community Safety Team is urging people not to cool off, swim or dive in open water such as canals, rivers and lakes, including the Goldsworth Park Lake.
 
Around 58%* of accidental drownings occur at inland open water sites. Many of these are due to a lack of knowledge and understanding of open water safety.
 

Hale End Court, Woking’s latest housing scheme for older residents, has won Building Project of the Year over £10 million at the Constructing Excellence SECBE Awards 2022. 

The Building Project of the Year award recognises developments that deliver outstanding outcomes for all those involved in a construction project. The criteria for the award include great teamwork between client and supply chain, a low environmental impact, high levels of innovation and technical achievement, outstanding customer satisfaction and being delivered on time and within budget.

In recent weeks we have seen a rise in cases in the south east with a shift in the dominant strain from the Omicron BA.2 variant. The latest data indicates that Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 now account for more than half of rising COVID-19 cases in the UK and are driving the recent increase in infections.

We are fortunate that so far the rise in cases has not led to an increase in hospital admissions or deaths and this is down to the efficacy of the vaccine and the incredible efforts of people across the country getting vaccinated.

• New administration targets reduced costs and disruption to residents.
• Council seeks more funding from government for Woking’s key infrastructure project, Victoria Arch widening scheme.

At its next meeting on Thursday 14 July 2022, Woking Borough Council’s Executive will consider project options for the Victoria Arch widening scheme which, if approved, will initiate a fundamental review of the scheme including consideration of alternative delivery options and reduced costs. 

Firefighters are currently dealing with a large wildfire at Bisley Ranges. 

Surrey Fire and Rescue has reported that the fire is under control, but whilst the fire is continuing to burn it is producing a lot of smoke, which may be affecting areas of the borough. 

If you are being affected by the smoke, the current advice from Surrey Fire and Rescue is to keep doors and windows closed.  

Check for the latest update on the Surrey Fire and Rescue Service website

Lockdown showed us that most of the support we need to lead happy and healthy lives can be found on our doorsteps, within the communities where we live.

Tribe is a new digital platform which connects people needing support to caring individuals in the community and makes it easy to find local groups and activities.

Hundreds of young people from across Surrey travelled to Surrey Sports Park on Saturday 18 June to take part in the Specsavers Surrey Youth Games.

The annual event is the largest multi-sport youth event in the south east and brings together young people from all eleven boroughs and districts in Surrey. Dressed in light-blue t-shirts, Team Woking took part in friendly tournaments, matches and performances across the day.

Results show the usual resident population of England and Wales was 59,597,300 on Census Day, 21 March 2021.

This was the largest population ever recorded through a census in England and Wales with an increase of more than 3.5 million (6.3%) compared with Census Day 2011.

The population is also ageing, with 18.6% of people aged 65 and over, up from 16.4% a decade earlier.