It’s a question that seems to be gathering cross-party support.
The current Government’s plans for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) will possibly see Waverley Borough Council (WBC), a well-managed, financially solvent council run for the past six years by a coalition of Farnham Residents, Liberal Democrats, Greens and Labour, being asked to become part of a unitary authority with other councils that carry significant levels of debt that the Government seemingly has no plans to write off.
The worst and most well-known case is Woking Borough Council.
Under successive years of Conservative leadership, speculative investment and financial mismanagement saw Woking rack up an eye-watering £2 billion of debt, and effectively declare bankruptcy in 2023.
Yet it’s not the only Council that is a major cause for concern for Farnham Residents.
The plans proposed by Conservative controlled Surrey County Council (SCC) would see WBC as one of two unitary authorities within Surrey, along with Spelthorne Borough Council (who’s reckless investment decisions currently sees it over £1billion in debt), Runnymede Borough Council (currently around £600million in debt) and Surrey Heath Council (currently around £170million in debt).
That’s almost £3billion of debt that somebody is going to have to pay off!
And a potential outcome for Farnham that raises three significant questions.
First, why has Surrey County Council (SCC) pushed for a two unitary option?
The Farnham Residents Councillors at WBC have always supported a three unitary option for Surrey. One that would see a fairer allocation of council debt, with Spellthorne and Runnymede being part of a North Surrey unitary, along with Elmbridge.
Second, who will be responsible for paying off the debts incurred by profligate councils?
It’s a question that Farnham Residents Councillors have been asking, supported by our Lib Dem, Green and Labour colleagues at WBC, and one that’s now been picked up by our Conservative MP Greg Stafford (Farnham and Bordon) at Westminster.
We want to know exactly what the Government’s plans are for limited debt repayment support in recognition of the fact that that Woking has “significant unsupported debt that cannot be managed locally”, and the fact that other councils also have substantial debt.
And finally, and perhaps most importantly, how will these debts be paid off?
Almost certainly, Farnham residents will see a significant rise in their Council Tax bills.
More worryingly, we may see some of our most cherished assets sold off.
Assets such the Memorial Ground, the Memorial Hall, Farnham Museum, many of our parks and much cherished green spaces, maybe even Farnham Park, all sold to pay off Woking’s debts.
This is why the Farnham Residents Group is working hard with our colleagues at WBC and Farnham Town Council (FTC) to preserve these assets for future Farnham generations.
We’ll be bringing you updates over the next few weeks.
However, the task will not be easy and is likely to be opposed by other bodies.
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