Was County HQ sold for a song?
Surrey County Council faces scrutiny over its £25 million sale of a former headquarters site after it was revealed it could have a gross development value of £250 million once … Read More
Category: Finances
How many £s does it take to change a Council light bulb?
The cost of changing Council light bulbs was the subject of some concern at Tuesday 26th March’s meeting of the Strategy and Resources Committee of Epsom and Ewell Borough Council. … Read More
‘Crisis point’ in local government funding
Parties from across the spectrum called on the next government to change its funding model for local councils, claiming it is “not fit for purpose”. Councillor Robert Evans (Labour, Spelthorne) … Read More
It’s not a fair cop? Cllr. Coley on police funding
Did you know that Surrey is the only police area in the country where local residents pay more towards policing than central government? The share of the burden is 55% … Read More
“Bonkers but essential” job to cut back jobs?
‘Bonkers but essential’ is how a new £75,000 job, running bankrupt Woking Borough Council’s decimated leisure and communities services is being described. Last month, the council cut more than £8million … Read More
Surrey County Council workers to strike?
Staff at Surrey County Council could walk out after a “record number” of people backed strike action – unless the authority makes a significantly improved pay offer, unions have said. … Read More
Local Government monopoly board at play?
Surrey County Council has added another building to its property portfolio after buying the Victoria Gate site from Woking Borough Council in a deal that will net the bankrupt authority … Read More
Boats on the canal “your time is up”?
Basingstoke Canal could stop leisure activities like boat hire and camping because they’re not financially viable. The 32-mile-long Basingstoke Canal was jointly acquired by Hampshire and Surrey County Councils in … Read More
Mixed reaction to Hunt’s budget in Surrey
In a significant development outlined in today’s Spring Budget, Surrey MP and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt confirmed the Surrey County Deal agreement, heralding a new era of devolution for Surrey County … Read More
Woking’s whopping bail out and tax rise
Woking Borough Council has raised its share of tax by 10 per cent. It comes as the bankrupt council was offered an “exceptional” £785 million Government bail out The major … Read More
Computer lets down County Council workers
Surrey County Council’s new £30 million payroll system has left staff “wiping tears of frustration and helplessness” over missed payments, it its claimed. It is claimed that the payroll system … Read More
Police probe abuse of public funds
Suspected fraud and alleged breaches of procedure in Guildford Borough Council’s housing maintenance team have snowballed, culminating in a police investigation. Last year, the council instigated a staff investigation following … Read More
No budging on Council budget
Epsom and Ewell Borough Council met for two hours Tuesday 13th February to debate the proposed budget and Council tax increase for 2024/2025. Councillors received a 288 page report containing … Read More
How far will £500m go for Surrey Councils?
Additional government funding for local councils will “go some way” towards easing the pain felt by local authorities struggling to balance their books – although calls remain for greater reform. … Read More