Commissioners could cost bankrupt council £2.5m

Government commissioners have been appointed to Woking Borough Council for another four years

Commissioners are set to be in place at a bankrupt council until at least 2028 - potentially costing more than £2.5 million.

Woking Borough Council effectively declared itself bankrupt in June 2023 with debts of £2bn.

The Government appointed three commissioners in May 2023 to turn around the dire financial situation.

In a letter from the Department of Levelling up, Housing and Communities they have been thanked and told: "It is clear that more of your time has been required."

Commissioners Tony Redmond, Carol Culley, and Mervyn Greer could receive up to a combined £2,524,000 in that time.

Their appointments, pay and duration of stay have been confirmed in letters from the government, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

More than £2.5 million

Government-appointed managing director Richard Carr could receive the equivalent of £286,000 a year

The £2.5m figure is based on a daily fee they can charge the council and the number of days they can bill for.

Lead commissioner Mr Redmond is entitled to claim £1,200 per day for up to 150 days a year.

Ms Culley can charge £1,100 a day for 260 days, and Mr Greer £1,100 for 150 days.

If they work the duration of their appointments, it could cost the people of Woking up to £720,000, £1,144,000 and £660,000 respectively – or just over £2.5m.

They work alongside government-appointed managing director Richard Carr who could receive the equivalent of £286,000 a year himself until May 2025.

'Significant undertaking'

In each letter, the Secretary of State said he expects them to “work closely” and “deliver improvement at the council”.

One letter read that leading the commissioner team on finance matters was a "significant undertaking".

It said the role was originally for "two to three" days a week but said more time has been and will be required - four years.

The letter reads it is the council's responsibility to "meet these costs".

The team must report back to the Secretary of State every six months.

Woking Borough Council has been approached for comment.

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