‘Your Waverley’ will soon ask residents in the highest Council Tax Band H if they would be willing to make additional voluntary financial contributions to help fund borough improvements.

But the Tories have rubbished and then voted for what they describe as …

“an interesting experiment.”

At this week’s Full Council, the administration outlined a scheme that had proved popular elsewhere, including the City of Westminster. C of W’s head honcho is now Joint CEO of Waverley and Guildford Councils.

But the Tory Group spokesman claimed setting up a charitable trust would cost money, waste council officers’ time, provide minimal income, and was unlikely to be supported by Band H council taxpayers.

Having rubbished the plan then, Quelle’s surprise! The group voted for it.

Conservative Group Leader testy-tempered Jane Austin said her group didn’t want anything detracting Waverley from concentrating on its key issues and providing its core services- “well.”

She provided a diatribe of statistics proving that the scheme wouldn’t work. Waverley’s “savvy ” council taxpayers were unlikely to support such a scheme. She criticized the administration for its lack of progress on vital issues such as the future of Broadwater Park, Godalming, spending 23.4m on staff, of which £3.7m for agency staff, and avoiding “vanity projects” like 68, High St, Godalming.

She later admonished Cllr Steve Williams for misrepresenting her words,  saying, ‘I didn’t mention a vanity project.’ 

“Concentrate on our core services – not on a sideshow like this! However, I will vote for this interesting experiment.”

Inspired by Westminster City Council’s successful scheme, this bold new proposal encourages higher-value properties to pay extra money towards local priorities and projects. Participating residents contribute financially to a charitable trust and help decide which discretionary services the money supports. It could support community initiatives. Older people’s day centres struggle, and so do many sports clubs.

Councillors unanimously authorised a consultation with all properties in Council Tax Band H to determine if residents would be willing to contribute towards a Voluntary Council Tax initiative.

Councillor Mark Merryweather, Waverley Portfolio Holder for Finance, Assets and Property, was optimistic about the proposal’s potential. He said he knew of charities that run on fumes, and Waverley already operated charities.

He said the council, like many others, faced national issues with planning staffing and funding, but this was one of many initiatives we should pursue

Referring to Cllr Austin’s criticism of Godalming’s 69 High Street, he said it was a social housing project on a site that would deliver council housing that would pay for itself and a leisure facility that would also pay for itself and generate funds for the council. Waverley also consulted residents on what to do with the Broadwater site –

“because that is how we do things here.” 

“We’ve seen in other parts of the country that there are people who are passionate about their local area and are willing to contribute a little extra to support projects that make a real difference in their communities.

“Thanks to the generosity of residents, Westminster’s scheme generates an additional £300,000 for community initiatives each year, and I believe our more affluent and generous residents could make a similarly profound impact here.

“This initiative is entirely voluntary – there’s no obligation, just an opportunity to give back. If we can rally support for this scheme, the additional contributions could fund valuable services for our most vulnerable residents and launch projects that enhance quality of life across the borough.”

The initiative underscores the council’s commitment to innovative solutions and community-driven progress. Waverley Borough Council will soon reach out to all Band H Council Taxpayers to seek their input and support. Should the idea resonate with residents, the council plans to establish a charitable trust to oversee contributions and distribution of funds. The charitable trust will ensure funds are directed towards local discretionary projects that make a difference.