Will this be the year we say farewell to ‘Your Waverley’ and the Waverley Web?
You may have missed us during the Christmas holiday period, or you may not have. Sometimes, a break from being bombarded with emails is most welcome, and our diminishing team took time out for a welcome rest.
However, whilst we were quiet, relaxing in sunnier climbs, there was much ado about everything. We understand that the main topic of conversation around the holiday dining tables was the ludicrous number of homes that the Government has inflicted on the borough of Waverley, 1,481 per year! This for an authority that couldn’t manage 710 p.a. and has just dumped Dunsfold! Is Dunsfold Garden Village Done For?
With Guildford’s contribution going up from 562 to 1,170, this represents some of the highest housing targets in the south east. Around 80% of Waverley is covered by Green Belt and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. So, will our borough’s housing end up being decided, as it has been in recent years, by Government Inspectors? Or something worse. By a huge unitary authority?
This, plus the prospect of Waverley and all the other 11 local authorities in Surrey disappearing, caused some to choke on their turkey. Now, Emperor Tim, the leader of Surrey County Council, wants to postpone this year’s county council elections to give him more time to advance his devolution plans.
So there you have it, folks. 2025 will likely see the end of Waverley Borough Council as we know it and of the Waverley Web.
Grassroots democracy will disappear at the stroke of Emporer Tim’s pen. If it weren’t so serious, it would be funny, as Surrey is in heavy-duty financial dog do – along with every other council in the country that has been cash-strapped by the Conservative Government for the past 14 years!
WW wishes all its followers a Very Happy and healthy New Year because health, not wealth, matters more in the long run.
Waverley wont be disappearing anytime soon (nor Waverley Web). Looking at other Counties who have split into Unitaries (some successfully – some not so) it takes at least two years to implement. The Government’s white paper talks about the first wave of Unitaries being enacted during the lifetime of this Parliament.
Local Councils have been cash strapped by financial folly, their unaffordable redundancy and pension schemes and the ignorance of the demographic change that has brought the tragic elderly care crisis. The solution make sure your local councillor is addressing these issues, especially if there is concern that your council tax is disappearing into a black hole.
Surrey has never had its fair share of government grants no matter which party has been in power.