Woking Council Explores Additional Savings Amidst Financial Difficulties

A financially challenged council is evaluating proposals to discontinue its subsidy for the local arts centre and to implement higher parking fees. Furthermore, Woking Borough Council is contemplating the introduction of a singular charge for garden waste bins, as detailed in a report presented to an executive committee on Thursday. The council effectively declared itself bankrupt in June 2023 and has since been collaborating with commissioners to enhance its financial standing. The authority stated it is examining a “wide variety” of potential savings initiatives. Included in the draft medium-term financial strategy, which covers the period between next year and 2029, is a proposal to cease the £150,000 subsidy provided to the Lightbox Gallery and Museum. During the past year, the venue received an allocation of £130,000 from the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, intended to support its continued operation for audiences. An additional suggestion involves an increase in fees and charges at the Victoria Way Town Centre Car Park, with official documents indicating that “daily tariffs were last raised in February 2023, so an inflationary increase is due”. A review of other parking fees and charges throughout the borough is also a possibility. The report additionally presented the prospect of implementing a one-off £30 charge for new and replacement bins for residents with a garden waste subscription, aimed at cost recovery. Woking is presently implementing £8m in savings during this financial year, which encompasses the closure of public toilets, the cessation of funding for day care projects, and price increases at Pool in the Park. The director of finance for the local authority will determine the final recommendations regarding savings in the upcoming months, prior to councillors voting on the budget next year. A council spokesperson stated that the executive meeting “was an opportunity to discuss and debate a wide variety of savings proposals ahead of setting our budgets in February next year”.