Woking Liberal Democrats set agenda for year ahead

Following their local election success, the Liberal Democrats on Woking Borough Council have agreed to work closely with the other two opposition parties, to deliver on their agenda of greater openness and transparency, a green council that acts on the climate emergency, a Council that makes recycling easier but cracks down on fly tippers and a Council that makes accessing our town and village centres easier and more cost effective whether by car, bus, cycle or on foot.

Opposition parties won 6 of the 10 seats contested on 2nd May and voters sent a clear message to the Conservatives that they wanted change. The Conservatives are still the largest party on Woking Council, but they will no longer be able to push votes through on their block vote. They will need to listen more to other Councillors and the public.

Lib Dem Group Leader, Councillor Ann-Marie Barker, said:

"By working together as a strong opposition, Lib Democrats, Labour and Independent Councillors can all fully scrutinise Council operations, investigate our areas of concern and bring much-needed transparency to the Council."

"The Lib Dem Group are willing to play our part in the running of the Council by taking on key committee chairs and we will also support the other opposition groups to take these leadership roles. By opposition Councillors chairing all Council committees, we can start to bring change and transparency to Woking Council and properly hold the ruling Conservatives accountable."

One stumbling block to the future smooth running of Woking Council is the current Leader of the Council, Councillor Bittleston. He is widely seen as overly controlling with recent defector to the Lib Dem Councillor Graham Chrystie describing him as 'curtailing debate within the Conservative group'. Concerns have also been raised over Councillor Bittleston's treatment of Citizen's Advice Woking and the amount of time he spends at his residence in Scotland.