Woking’s new budget passed after government aid, averting larger tax hikes. Council to invest in essential services.
The council had to cut spending a lot and raised taxes ten percent. In 2024, they tried to control their huge debt. Woking is now planning a new kind of budget; it’s separate from past debt and interest payments.
The 2025/26 budget has a £2.8 million deficit. They plan to use special government funds for that, but Woking still spends more money than it has. A council member said they only asked for needed support and are trying their best to live within their means.
The council calls this budget affordable, as the government is giving them a lot of support. Essential services are saved thanks to a government bailout. They got £74.9 million for 2025/26, and they already got £96.5 million for 2024/25.
One council member disliked relying so much on bailouts. He wants a better solution for Woking’s huge old debt and doesn’t want to just throw money at the problem. Another member said it’s the people’s money, and Woking, he said, should be a warning to other councils to not depend too much on the government.
The budget passed on February 27, and council tax votes happen on March 3. Woking residents may dodge bigger tax hikes. Windsor did raise taxes beyond the usual limit.
Woking residents will likely see a 2.99 percent tax increase, a change many other towns are doing too. A Band D home pays about £8.68 more per month, which totals £298.11 monthly, not counting other fees.
Woking is lowering some parking fees. Three hours in town went from £5 to £3.50. One council member called this change amazing. It may help get more people to visit the town centre. Six hours of parking now costs £7.50 instead of £8. Sunday parking (three to 24 hours) drops from £4.50 to £3.50.
Council members thanked staff for balancing the books, though some were uneasy about service fee increases. Meals on Wheels could cost almost 15 percent more, which would generate around £49,000. A council member said they can’t subsidize some services anymore.
He stated the meal costs are now high and hopes these costs will lower as the council improves. Woking’s budget funds important services, like housing. They will invest £16 million into housing; this is after many years of not investing enough.
One member highlighted that £16 million is four times higher than before. It is a bit less than last year’s £16.8 million, yet they are still putting 75 percent of funds into housing, and they will build new homes.