Executive reviews council performance and updated strategy
Members of the Executive discussed the council’s recent performance and considered an updated Woking for All corporate strategy during last night’s meeting (Thursday 12 March).
The updated strategy reflects progress made over the past year and sets out a focused set of priorities for the year ahead, as the organisation continues to deliver essential services, complete outstanding improvement work and prepare for the transition to the new West Surrey Council on 1 April 2027.
Over the past year significant progress has been made against the council’s Improvement and Recovery Plan and day‑to‑day service delivery. Eighteen of the 26 actions scheduled for completion in the last six months have now been delivered.
Key improvements include stronger financial management including strengthening the council’s finance function, upgrading systems and delivering a balanced budget supported by asset sales and continued engagement with government, new environmental services and leisure contracts, and ongoing improvements to the council’s housing stock.
To ensure the strategy remains aligned with the requirements of Local Government Reorganisation, seven new actions are proposed. These include completing commercial divestment work and ensuring a structured and safe transfer of services and responsibilities to the new West Surrey Council.
Whilst recognising strong progress, the report also sets out remaining key challenges, particularly the need to manage ongoing financial pressures and continuing debt reduction work.
Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Ann-Marie Barker, Leader of Woking Borough Council, said:
The report recognises the strong progress made over the past year, not just through our improvement programme, but across all service areas.
As we move toward the creation of West Surrey Council, it is vital that we stay focused on delivering essential services for residents, manage our challenges and ensure a safe and legal transition.
With the support of Council, the refreshed Woking for All strategy will help us do exactly that by keeping our priorities clear, realistic and aligned with what residents need from us at this point in time.
The updated strategy will now be presented to Council in April for adoption.