Assurance that Woking’s legacy debt will not be serviced by none Woking residents

Recent signers:
barbara howson and 19 others have signed recently.

The Issue

Woking Council currently faces a significant financial crisis, with debts ranging from £1.5 to £2 billion, a result of failed initiatives, investments, and policies approved by its elected councillors. The Government has proposed restructuring Surrey's existing councils into two larger unitary authorities in an effort to streamline administration.

However, this move has sparked concern among the residents of neighbouring boroughs such as Runnymede, Spelthorne, Guildford, Waverley, and Surrey Heath. The Housing Minister's offer of a £500 million debt recovery package barely scratches the surface of Woking’s mounting debts. The fear is palpable—post-amalgamation, residents from these areas may shoulder increased local taxes to absorb Woking’s legacy debt, stemming from decisions they neither had oversight of nor influence over.

Such a scenario would be deeply unjust. The Government must provide a guarantee assuring that residents in these boroughs will not be financially burdened by debts incurred solely by Woking Council.

This assurance must be unequivocal, ensuring fairness and equity among Surrey's boroughs and preventing financial consequences for residents uninvolved in Woking's costly mismanagement.

Join us in demanding that the Government commits to protecting our communities from unjust financial liabilities. Sign this petition to advocate for a fair and just allocation of Surrey's financial responsibilities.

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Recent signers:
barbara howson and 19 others have signed recently.

The Issue

Woking Council currently faces a significant financial crisis, with debts ranging from £1.5 to £2 billion, a result of failed initiatives, investments, and policies approved by its elected councillors. The Government has proposed restructuring Surrey's existing councils into two larger unitary authorities in an effort to streamline administration.

However, this move has sparked concern among the residents of neighbouring boroughs such as Runnymede, Spelthorne, Guildford, Waverley, and Surrey Heath. The Housing Minister's offer of a £500 million debt recovery package barely scratches the surface of Woking’s mounting debts. The fear is palpable—post-amalgamation, residents from these areas may shoulder increased local taxes to absorb Woking’s legacy debt, stemming from decisions they neither had oversight of nor influence over.

Such a scenario would be deeply unjust. The Government must provide a guarantee assuring that residents in these boroughs will not be financially burdened by debts incurred solely by Woking Council.

This assurance must be unequivocal, ensuring fairness and equity among Surrey's boroughs and preventing financial consequences for residents uninvolved in Woking's costly mismanagement.

Join us in demanding that the Government commits to protecting our communities from unjust financial liabilities. Sign this petition to advocate for a fair and just allocation of Surrey's financial responsibilities.
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