Title

WHITEHALL

Talks held over debt concern

Woking BC has held ‘positive and constructive’ talks with the Government amid ministerial concerns about the sustainability of the authority’s debts.

Woking BC has held ‘positive and constructive' talks with the Government amid ministerial concerns about the sustainability of the authority's debts.

The council admitted its debt levels were relatively high due to £1.8bn in loans, including £700m for its Victoria Square development.

However, the council said its loans were primarily from the Public Works Loan Board, involve low and affordable interest rates, and that most projects would generate future income.

Woking chief executive Julie Fisher said the council was ‘working with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) to assist them in understanding our local borrowing and investment practices'.

Local government minister Kemi Badenoch wrote to Woking and seven other English local authorities in mid-May expressing departmental concerns about ‘disproportionate levels of debt' and ‘commercial investments'.

A DLUHC spokesperson said: 'Taxpayers expect us to take action to stop councils from building up excessive debt. 

'We will continue to engage with councils to make sure they are supported.'

WHITEHALL

New towns report delayed amid fears over rising costs

By EXCLUSIVE by Heather Jameson | 18 September 2025

The final report of the New Towns Taskforce has been delayed as part of the Government’s attempts at a refresh.

WHITEHALL

Levelling the paying field

By Martin Ford | 17 September 2025

With a host of newly-minted unitaries set to spring up around England in the coming months and years, Martin Ford looks at the thorny issue of pay harmonisation

WHITEHALL

EXCLUSIVE: Judicial review threat for food waste laggards

By Dan Peters | 16 September 2025

English councils that fail to offer separate food waste collections to all homes from April could face judicial review, a Whitehall insider has warned.

WHITEHALL

Selling the family silver

By Joe Fyans | 16 September 2025

A new approach to council asset management is needed that takes greater account of community cohesion and public service demand management, argues Joe Fyans.

Popular articles by Mark Conrad