“So, what about the people who will work to deliver on these priorities.

“I will be taking on the partnerships the Council has with external companies. This includes relationships with Amey, Serco, Freedom Leisure, Skanska. It’s really important that we work closely with these organisations and that they are delivering for local people. 

“I am delighted to present to you today the first Liberal Democrat Leader’s speech since 2006. I am very proud to be the first leader of a Liberal Democrat majority administration in Woking this century.

“In this speech I will set out my priorities for the year ahead – financial responsibility, a Masterplan for Woking town centre and achieving carbon neutral. I will highlight the projects and issues we will be tackling. I will introduce the people who will work with me to deliver our programme for change.

Cllr Saj Hussain has been elected Mayor of Woking at the official Mayor-Making ceremony held this evening (Thursday 19 May 2022) in the Council Chamber. 

After three years as Woking’s Deputy Mayor, he is more than ready for the role, which he describes as “a great honour and privilege.” 

Cllr Hussain moved to Woking from Pakistan, aged 11, in 1968. He attended Goldsworth Secondary School and tried out various career paths, including nursing, before becoming subpostmaster at Knaphill Post Office, which he bought with help from his family in 1986.  

TEDxWoking is back this winter and on Thursday 10 November 2022, audiences will enjoy thought-provoking talks about ‘Our Future’.

Potential speakers are now invited to put themselves forward for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to share their ideas and make an impact on the discussions of the day.

Woking Borough Council has announced plans to light a beacon for The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee on the evening of Thursday 2 June 2022.

The beacon is one of thousands being lit in the UK and the Commonwealth, and forms part of the official programme announced by Buckingham Palace for the Jubilee Weekend.

The beacon will be lit in Jubilee Square, at the centre of Woking town Centre, and it will be one of over 2,022 lit by charities, communities and faith groups all over the UK.

Exploratory ground surveys underneath the Victoria Arch railway bridge and at locations on the south-side of the bridge (incorporating Guildford Road, Victoria Road and Station Approach) will commence on Monday 6 June 2022 for three weeks.

Julie Fisher, Woking Borough Council’s Chief Executive, said: “During the Queen’s speech, the Government announced that the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill will be brought forward to drive local growth, empowering local leaders to regenerate their areas.

"The Bill will incorporate a number of legislative developments, which includes taking a responsible approach to public finances, whilst reducing local authority debt.

“We recognise that Woking has high levels of debt which comes from borrowing for regeneration and major long-term infrastructure projects.

Surrey Health and Wellbeing Board is inviting you to have your say on pharmacy and chemist services in Surrey. Feedback will be used to develop the draft pharmaceutical needs assessment (PNA).

The consultation seeks to ensure the information presented is accurate and that the conclusions made are appropriate.

In order to carry out essential highway works, parts of The Broadway and Chertsey Road will be closed overnight on Monday 16 May and Tuesday 17 May 2022.

The closures will allow for highway surface improvements including resetting manhole covers and relaying sand and brick around the covers.

The closure of The Broadway, between Maybury Road and Locke Way, will commence at 11.30pm, Monday 16 May and remain in place until 6am, Tuesday 17 May 2022. It will also restrict access to Duke Street.

A series of events will take place in Woking to mark Dementia Action Week 2022, from 16 to 22 May. The awareness week is run annually by the Alzheimer’s Society, and the theme for 2022 is ‘diagnosis’.

Visitors to the Basingstoke Canal may have noticed a few changes to the area in recent weeks after Woking’s Safer Neighbourhood team joined forces with the local community to improve feelings of safety in the area.

The 13-mile stretch of canal running through the borough, a much-loved local beauty spot popular with dog walkers, cyclists and joggers, has been cleared of overgrown shrubbery and has seen the installation of new CCTV cameras which cover the towpath.

Outstanding members of Woking’s community celebrated their achievements at the Mayor’s Civic Reception on Friday 29 April 2022.

The event, which recognises the dedication of Woking residents, was held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Woking, where the Mayor of Woking, Cllr Liam Lyons, announced Woking’s Eminent Citizen for 2022 and the winners of this year’s Young People’s Civic Award Scheme.

Eminent Citizen