Heather Jameson 28 October 2025

Woking to get £500m bailout as Surrey split in two

Reorganisation frontrunner Surrey will have its 12 councils replaced by two unitaries, with £500m of Woking BC's debts written off, The MJ understands.

The bailout is a recognition the council's £1.5bn debt cannot be managed locally, but it will only go part way to filling the council's financial black hole.

Visit The MJ (£) to continue reading.

If you want to learn more about local government reorganisation (LGR), then check out the latest in our 'Need to Know' series: Local Government Reorganisation: What It Means and Why It Matters.

#Debt #Reorganisation #Finance #local government reorganisation

Analysis

10 ways councils are making budgets go further

Discover 10 ways councils are stretching budgets further, from digital transformation and energy efficiency to community partnerships and data-driven decision-making.

Opinion

Autumn Budget Insights: The local government balancing act

Jonathan Werran, chief executive of Localis, explores how the Chancellor’s fiscal choices could shape local growth and investment for years to come.

Most Popular News

Woking to get £500m bailout as Surrey split in two

Birmingham City Council’s S114 notice under scrutiny

Council responds to four-day week fears

London councils face ‘eye-watering’ £4bn funding gap

Reform UK councillors expelled after leaked video

New Products

Vent-Axia Delivers Social Housing a Smart Ventilation Solution Ahead of Awaab’s Law

New remotely lockable cabinet will help manage medication for people with mental health issues

UK-first tool developed by Bluesky scores areas green credentials to aid urban planners

New partnership drives improved air quality and healthier homes in social housing

ShuttleID launches 90-day free trial for local authorities

New steps to keep tenants safe

Invision360 secures Innovate UK smart grant for VITA EHCP generator

Case Studies

Acrospire Delivers Retrofit Lighting for Newbridge’s Joe Calzaghe Footbridge

Acrospire Delivers PIR-Controlled Lighting at Ruislip Lido Car Park

Spennymoor Market Place and Consett Middle Street revitalised using Thorn Lighting’s Thor Lanterns and Customisable Gobo Projectors

Acrospire Partners with Bath & North East Somerset Council to Illuminate Historic Film Location with LED Upgrade

Believ to install 22 charge points across Redcar and Cleveland

Acrospire Enhances Harlington Underpass with Energy-Saving Vandal-Resistant Lighting

Croydon Council selects integrated corporate GIS to improve efficiencies

Company Anouncements

Vent-Axia’s New Smart Fan Helps Landlords Stay Ahead of Awaab’s Law

Lucy Zodion recognised as sustainability leader with Build Back Better GREEN Award for HAWK3

CU Phosco Becomes Sustaining Member of DarkSky UK to Champion Better Night-Time Lighting

Yorkshire schools SuDS partnership boosts flood resilience

Airtech Helps Landlords Comply with Awaab’s Law

Cloudhouse offers housing associations risk-free route to IT modernisation

Adaptations teams’ opportunity to optimise value

Park Ranger - WMF2407e

£26,403 - £26,824

As part of the Outdoor & Leisure Team, you’ll play a key role in maintaining, protecting and enhancing our parks and green spaces. Cumbria

Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Procurement Lead - WMF2409e

£45,091 - £46,142

An exciting opportunity has arisen to fill a Procurement Lead post in the Commissioning and Procurement Department. Cumbria / Various

Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Crematoria Team Leader

£32,061.00 - £34,434.00, Grade 7, 37 hours, Permanent

We are seeking a Crematoria Team Leader to enhance the quality and effectiveness of our Council’s Street Scene & Bereavement Services. Wakefield, West Yorkshire

Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Cemeteries Operative (Burials)

£28,598.00 - £31,537.00, Grade 6, 37 hours, Permanent

We are seeking a Cemeteries Operative to enhance the quality and effectiveness of our Council’s Street Scene & Bereavement Services. Wakefield, West Yorkshire

Recuriter: Wakefield Council