Another Surrey borough heading for bankruptcy?
Surrey Heath Borough Council’s desperation to fight off bankruptcy crystallised further after it agreed to sell a car park and land in order “to keep the lights on”. The council … Read More
Category: Finances
Strip Woking’s debt-man of his OBE MP says
The “chief architect” behind the financial collapse of Woking Borough Council should be stripped of his OBE to local government, the town’s MP has said. In 2023 the council declared … Read More
Government bailout to ease Woking’s debt burden
Taxpayers will cover the cost of Woking Borough Council’s financial folly after the government agreed to “aid the reduction” of the bankrupt authority’s multi-billion pound debt. The bail out will … Read More
The cost of saving the cost of local government
As of April 2025, Epsom and Ewell is actively engaged in Surrey’s significant local government reorganisation, aiming to transition from the existing two-tier system to a unitary authority model. The … Read More
Woking Council private school loan scandal
A private school loaned millions of pounds at favourable rates by bankrupt Woking Borough Council has still to pay its overdue debts – with the local authority saying it is … Read More
Surrey’s BIG debt question in local government reorganisation
Plans for what Surrey could look like in local government reorganisation have been agreed but questions remain over looming debt. Councillors demanded to know how debt would be managed before the … Read More
Surrey ratches up record fines for education failures
Surrey County Council is on pace to be hit with more than £1 million in fines and redress payments due to its repeated failures within its education service over the … Read More
Who will be saddled with Spelthorne’s and Woking’s £3 billion debts?
The Surrey Borough of Spelthorne’s financial crisis is “even more critical”, with millions in cuts needed to avoid catastrophic bankruptcy, says new report. Best value inspectors were called in to … Read More
Epsom & Ewell ranks in the middle of Surrey Councils’ tax charges
Residents will face another jump in council tax bills from April 1 as local authorities have announced their budgets for the coming year. Surrey County Council, the Police and Crime … Read More
Could Woking’s debt be shared by you after reorganisation?
Chris Caulfield of the BBC’s Local Democracy Service brings us the latest twist in the awful Woking Borough Council debt crisis. Its £2.1 billion debt accumulated under a Conservative administration … Read More
Council Finances Under Strain as National Insurance Rises and Reorganisation Looms
A new report from the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) has raised serious concerns about the financial sustainability of councils across England, including those in Surrey. The 2025 State of … Read More
Another Surrey Borough under financial strain
“Hard” times are coming to Surrey Heath Borough Council residents as millions of pounds are being cut from services, with many reduced to minimum standards, as its bleak financial situation … Read More
What Epsom could do with Woking’s £75 million bail out?
Critical front-line services will be spared after a huge government ‘bail out’ was agreed, bankrupt Woking Borough Council has said. Officially referred to as Exceptional Financial Support for local authorities, … Read More
Epsom & Ewell Borough Council: Financial Crisis or Manageable Deficit?
Epsom & Ewell Borough Council is under increasing scrutiny following the resignation of Councillor Alex Coley (Independent Ruxley Ward) from the ruling Residents’ Association (RA) group. His resignation letter cites … Read More
Ex-Council Officers under investigation for Woking’s £2 billion debt
Two former officers at Woking Borough Council are being investigated over their roles in Woking Borough Council’s bankruptcy. The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has confirmed that it is looking into … Read More
Epsom & Ewell Full Council Meeting: Budget Approved Amid Debate
Epsom & Ewell Borough Council held a full council meeting on 11 February 2025, where key issues, including the approval of the council’s budget, the mayor’s upcoming engagements, and urgent … Read More