THE brutal realities of Woking Borough Council’s effective bankruptcy have been revealed in the agenda papers for the executive meeting this evening (Thursday, July 13).

Some 60 full-time positions or their equivalent at the council – about one-sixth of the workforce – are likely to be cut as the council is restructured towards a much smaller operation in the wake of last month’s Section 114 Notice, driven by a debt portfolio of £1.8 billion, forecast to rise towards £2.4 billion.

Cllr Ann-Marie Barker, leader of the Liberal Democrat council, confirmed: “It is likely to be 60 FTE [full-time equivalents] from a staff of 357 FTE. 

“The staff are taking part in regular briefings and there has been very positive feedback from the union on how this difficult and upsetting situation is being managed.

“The executive is a step in setting out a path to a council that lives within its means. 

“We are giving a broad indication of where savings need to be made and will put this to council on July 20 along with proposals for a strategic asset disposal plan that gives the best return for the public purse.”

With that in mind, the meeting will also be reminded the council owns – or part owns – 24 companies split into three categories: Thameswey Group, developing and managing housing regeneration and district energy networks; Victoria Square Woking Limited; and seven other companies of much smaller size but complex historic arrangements.

The papers also note “the engagement with residents is expected to commence in July 2023 [to help prioritise services] and formal consultation with staff and trades unions will commence on July 24 2023.”

Even for those not directly involved in the council’s deep staff cuts there is little cheer.

In a category headed Guiding Principles, the documents say: “Given the financial position of the council and the need to maintain key statutory services, the council will seek to maximise receipts from all funding streams including council tax.”

The executive meeting may well mark the start a new reality for Woking.

Until now, the debt crisis has been about large numbers which most can barely conceive, just that there are an awful lot of noughts involved.

Soon, though, it will be about real people losing real jobs, and a very real impact on very real lives.