If you have never listened to a Waverley Borough Council debate before, you must listen to this.
The brutal timetable dictated by Surrey County Council’s race to be among the first to reorganise local Government could mean that Waverley and other local authorities are forced to manage the debt of other profligate and reckless councils. Surrey County Council has opted to split the county into two, but individual councillors were not given a vote!
Will Surrey County Council get what it wants?
Local Government certainly doesn’t look like it will be local any more.
One councillor said the government is imposing this decision on Waverley, a well-run and debt-free council.
Most believe this will weaken democracy, increase council tax, reduce services, and reduce accountability. As for future planning functions and the future of parish and town councils, the Jury is out.
The debt issue in Surrey has overshadowed the whole process though the Government has recently recognised that Woking’s debt must be managed somehow.
Everyone, include Surrey County Council, believe writing off Woking’s £2.1b debt, is the only viable option going forward for LGR to work. (A report says the council has a core spending power of £16.9m a year but servicing its £2.1bn debt was costing £1.3m a week in interest alone.)
Cllr Peter Martin said : ” three or not to three – that is the question.” and he opted for two.
Cllr Carole Cockburn said she had never been a supporter of unitary authorities. But claimed
“what we say won’t make a jot of difference what I think what you think or what anyone else thinks it’s what the The Government decides. We could sit here until midnight won’t make a jot of difference. Secretary of State Jim McMahon will make. and it will be about savings. Cetainly not for our sakes. Towns and parish councils must be treasured. They are the experts in the field. That is the vital bit.I am going to vote for two – but I don’t think it will make any difference.”
Cllr Maxine Gale. said residents are angry they haven’t been asked to give their two pennorth.
Cllr Kevin Deanus said Both Surrey and Waverley agreed that Woking’s debt is unsustainable. ~he wants two unitary authorities East and West – where they will match the Police and Health Authority areas.
t
Waverley Councillors voted by majority to seek a Three Unitary Option.
RIP Waverley Borough Council.
I have spoken to various residents, predominantly on the bus. It’s also important to note that I do NOT represent any political party regardless of colour or creed. The residents that I have spoken to (and I accept that’s not many when taking into account the whole borough or even county for that matter) who have read via local online media or heard about Surrey’s plans are in favour of No Change at all or if we have to change then 3 separate authorities. Those who I have spoken to in the Redhill area have been given some information by their respective Councillors and they would prefer an alternative option whereby Redhill and Crawley and possibly Horsham become one unitary authority.
But let’s face facts Tim Oliver cancelled the voice of Surrey voters when he got the County Elections scrapped (or postponed to 2026 as some will say)
Good riddance!
Be careful what you wish for.