Woking: Bankrupt council urges residents to donate to fund

All spending for non-essential services at Woking Borough Council was halted after a Section 114 notice was issued

An effectively bankrupt council in Surrey has encouraged residents to donate to a fund in an attempt to support community groups that had their funding cut.

Woking Borough Council previously imposed emergency spending restrictions on itself due to its £2bn debt.

All spending for non-essential services was halted after the Section 114 notice was issued.

It has asked "those with the broadest shoulders" to support the groups.

The restrictions meant community groups and volunteer services across the borough had their grant funding slashed.

Among the high-profile cuts were Citizens Advice Woking, community transport and the Lightbox theatre, while fees at Pool in the Park are also increasing to cover the loss of its council funding.

The council said it was now hoping to encourage residents to donate to a community fund.

Deputy council leader Will Forster said the local authority was to make £8.4m in spending cuts and lose 20 per cent of its staff.

"The council just doesn't have the cash to give out to non-statutory services," he said.

"I appreciate the voluntary sector needs more money, but we as a council don't have it. This council should ask residents, especially those in the Band H council tax group, the most expensive houses, to voluntarily contribute to the Woking Community Fund to support our voluntary sector."

However, opposition members have described the measures as "a bit cheeky" given the expected 10 per cent tax hike later this year.

If residents choose to contribute, they will be asked whether their donation should go to particular priorities such as hardship advice, transport for the vulnerable or more general priorities.

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