Woking Borough Council is selling community sites to manage its massive debt and balance the budget, impacting local services and organizations.
Woking: The council is in a tough spot. They’re selling off community sites to tackle their huge debt. It’s a real mess, with over £2 billion owed. They’ve had to raise council tax by 10% and cut many public services.
Recently, they decided to sell the Egley Road Barn Site and Sheerwater Nursery. These places are used by local groups, like the Woking Gymnastics Club. The council went bankrupt in 2023 after a failed investment plan.
Councillor Anne-Marie Barker mentioned that selling these assets is part of their plan to reduce debt. They had a previous offer for Egley Road, but it fell through. Now, they’re going with the next highest bidder.
Councillor Dale Roberts explained that the new buyer has made a solid offer, but it’s still conditional on planning approval. The exact details of the bids are kept under wraps.
He also noted that these decisions aren’t just about money. They’re trying to align with the Woking for All strategy to build a better community. They want to support local groups like the gymnastics club during this transition.
They’ve sent a letter to the gymnastics club, assuring them of support as they move to a new site. The council believes this sale will help regenerate the area and provide more homes.
The Sheerwater site has been sold to a special buyer who has unique advantages. Currently, it doesn’t bring in any rental income, as it’s leased to a charity for free. The charity uses part of the building for a nursery.
The council is aware that tough choices are ahead. They’re looking to change how they handle property ownership and find ways to raise funds while supporting future expenses.
