Zöe Franklin leads campaign to protect Surrey residents from £6bn debt run up after years of Conservative mismanagement

Ahead of the biggest shake-up of Local Government in 50 years, Zöe Franklin MP is pushing for the Government not to put the burden on council tax payers.

“Make your voice heard. Support my petition for the Government either to write off the Conservatives’ multi-billion-pound debts, or to provide financial support for the new local authorities.”

Zöe Franklin MP said: “The legacy of years of Conservative failure at Surrey County Council, as well as borough councils under Conservative control, is a multi-billion-pound debt.

“The amount of debt owed by local authorities in Surrey is estimated to be around £6bn; while under Conservative control, Woking Borough Council’s debt spiralled to more than £2bn, and Spelthorne’s to more than £1bn. 

“The Government’s local government reorganisation project will see Surrey split into either two or three new Unitary Authorities.

“It is still unclear which option the Government will choose; it is also unclear where the burden of the debt will fall. 

“I am committed to fighting for residents and council tax payers across Guildford constituency and Surrey. To pass on the debts to the new unitary councils would mean they’d be effectively bankrupt on day one; to expect Surrey council tax payers to pay the price of years of Conservative failure would be wrong.”

The Government is expected to announce its decision on Surrey’s reorganisation later this year. The options being considered are:

• An east-west split, creating two new unitary authorities
• Or the plan for three authorities, supported by the Liberal Democrats, which would see Surrey Heath, Woking, Guildford and Waverley in the west; Mole Valley, Epsom & Ewell, Reigate & Banstead and Tandridge in the east; and Runnymede, Spelthorne and Elmbridge in the north.

Ms Franklin continued: “It is wrong that communities that aren’t responsible for the debt should be forced to pay for it.

“As the Government finalises its plans for a once-in-a-generation reorganisation of our local government system, I urge you to support my petition and make your voice heard.”

https://www.guildfordlibdems.org.uk/dont-pass-the-buck-on-surrey-councils-debts