In the heart of Surrey, the financial saga of Woking Borough Council unfolds, revealing a narrative mired in political tactics and misplaced blame. At the centre of this controversy are the Woking Liberal Democrats, who, in a dramatic shift of narrative, have pointed fingers at the previous Conservative administration for the borough's financial woes. Yet, a closer examination of the council's decisions, particularly regarding the Local Plan, borrowing, and town centre developments, reveals a story of unanimous cross-party support, including significant backing from the Liberal Democrats themselves.
The journey into fiscal strife began against the backdrop of the 2008 financial crisis, prompting Woking Borough Council to embark on an ambitious path of borrowing and investment under the guidance of stringent CIPFA rules. The council, spurred by the governmental encouragement to seek financial independence, launched major projects aimed at revitalising the town and fostering economic growth. These were not the unilateral decisions of a Conservative-led council operating in a vacuum but were, in fact, bolstered by extensive cross-party support, including that of the Liberal Democrats in coalition Government and at Woking Borough Council.
Critically, Councillor Will Forster, now a Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate in Woking, was among those who endorsed the council's direction. This collective agreement underscores a shared vision for Woking's future, making the recent portrayal of the Conservative administration as the sole architects of financial misfortune not only misleading but highly disingenuous.
The narrative pushed by the Woking Liberal Democrats fails to acknowledge the unforeseeable impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent changes in government borrowing rules. These external factors played pivotal roles in exacerbating the council's financial strain, challenges that no administration could have anticipated. Yet, the Liberal Democrats have opted for a strategy of selective memory, conveniently omitting their active participation in the decisions that led to the borough's current predicament.
Moreover, the Liberal Democrats' criticism overlooks the comprehensive financial analyses and audits that underpinned the council's projects. Independent assessments by esteemed firms like Ernest and Young validated the viability of initiatives such as Victoria Square and Sheerwater, projects that promised to invigorate Woking's urban landscape and address decades of underinvestment in its most deprived areas.
In casting blame solely on the previous administration, the Woking Liberal Democrats not only distort the truth but also betray a willingness to politicise the council's financial challenges for election political gain. This approach does a disservice to the residents of Woking, who deserve a nuanced understanding of the complex factors that have shaped their borough's financial landscape.
As Woking navigates its fiscal recovery, the discourse should shift from finger-pointing to constructive dialogue aimed at addressing the underlying issues. The focus must be on collaborative efforts to ensure the borough's long-term prosperity rather than on election political manoeuvring that seeks to rewrite history and take affected residents for fools.
The residents of Woking have witnessed first-hand the transformative projects set in motion by their council's ambitious plans. As the borough stands at a crossroads, it is imperative that its leaders, regardless of party affiliation, prioritise transparency, accountability, and a united front in steering Woking towards a brighter, more stable financial future.
The former leader of Woking Borough Council, Cllr Ayesha Azad said:
In light of recent developments, it's pertinent to note the Conservative government's substantial £785 million rescue package, a lifeline eagerly accepted by the Liberal Democrats. Despite this generous bailout, the Lib Dems persist in exploiting the council's difficulties for electoral advantage, blatantly politicking ahead of the May local elections and, indeed, the General Election. It's clear that Woking Borough Council's challenges are being manipulated for election political gain, underscoring a distressing trend where community interests are sidelined in favour of partisan ambitions.
