Subject to final confirmation, the government has indicated support for a capitalisation direction of up to £58.1 million, helping the council manage unsustainable debt related costs arising from its legacy of historic financial decisions. 

The Voluntary Joint Committees bring together councillors from the existing councils to plan the transition to West and East Surrey. They are meeting monthly until the shadow authorities are formed for West and East Surrey following the May 2026 elections. 

During their February meetings, both Voluntary Joint Committees: 

The permanent fix involves installing over 14,000 revised fixings to the exterior rainscreen panels that form the distinctive gold and yellow façade using suspended access cradles and Bronto mobile access platforms.

To undertake the works safely, a temporary single lane closure of the Victoria Way southbound carriageway is required. The lane closure, commencing on Monday 30 March 2026, will be in place for approximately 12 weeks. Traffic will filter into a single lane shortly after the main Victoria Place car park exit. 

From Wednesday 18 to Sunday 22 February 2026, fans can enjoy a high octane programme of free Formula 1-based activities at Victoria Place Woking in celebration of McLaren’s remarkable 2025 Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championship victories.

This five day event, hosted by McLaren Racing for home fans, will feature adults and kids F1 simulators, an interactive pit stop challenge, a full scale McLaren Formula 1 show car and a replica of the Constructors’ Championship trophy, proudly displayed at the Hilton Woking (19 to 21 February only).

Set within Waterer’s Park, the pavilion comes with around 4,500 sqm of flexible outdoor space, offering an exceptional opportunity for commercial operators to bring fresh, engaging activities that support healthy and active lifestyles in the community. 

The councils are committed to ensuring residents are aware of the changes, how it impacts them and how they can have a say by voting in the elections, and are communicating the change via a temporary brand called ‘Future Surrey’.  

Residents will receive information through letterboxes, on social media, in newsletters, in local libraries and community spaces and via a new website. 

The black tie gala on 7 March 2026, will bring together business leaders, community influencers, civic figures and local supporters for an evening of celebration, entertainment and fundraising at the Hilton Hotel, Woking.

Expected to attract upwards of 250 guests, all proceeds will support the Mayor’s chosen charity, Citizens Advice Woking, which helps residents facing financial hardship, legal worries, employment issues and other personal challenges.

Through a collaboration between local voluntary groups, Woking Community Transport and Woking Healthy Communities Partnership Board (WHCPB), a community transport bus has been made available for use by voluntary sector organisations. 

The bus will help groups transport clients to events, theatre visits, leisure centres, shopping trips, care homes and community activities, addressing one of the key barriers residents face when trying to stay socially connected.

Holocaust Memorial Day is a time to reflect and remember the six million Jewish men, women and children who were murdered, and the millions more killed under Nazi persecution and more recent genocides. 

This year’s theme, ‘Bridging Generations’, reflects how remembrance is carried forward over time. It encourages us to stay connected to the past, to learn from it, and to ensure those lessons continue to guide us.  

Woking will join 48 other local planning authorities across England in adopting open digital planning processes, which focus on publishing standardised, accessible planning data to create a more transparent and efficient system. 

Each authority will receive £50,000 to support the transition, enabling data to be published on the national Planning Data platform in a consistent and user‑friendly way, helping to replace information that is currently dispersed across documents or only available by request.

The proposed Fire Safety, Mobility Scooter, Void Management and Good Neighbour Management policies were discussed by the council’s Executive last night (Thursday 22 January 2026) and have been recommended to Council for formal approval.

Read the Executive report and watch the meeting

The government announced last year that Surrey County Council and Surrey’s 11 district and borough councils should reorganise into two new unitary authorities – West Surrey Council and East Surrey Council.

In May, residents will elect councillors who will serve on the new councils, which will initially be ‘shadow authorities’ tasked with setting up the new organisations.