Woking declared itself effectively bankrupt in 2023 with £2bn of debt, and has since increased council tax and cut services.
The problem has spilled into neighbouring councils after the government announced in 2024 that local authorities in Surrey would be reorganised.
The county looks likely to be reorganised into two or three single-tier councils.
The government has now committed to “supporting any new authorities in Surrey with the rationalisation of Woking’s assets”, according to a Woking Borough Council report.
This could include interim financial support and “further tranches of financial support for any remaining unsupported debt”.
The council would still be expected to continue cutting costs and finding “best value” for taxpayers…
