Woking Conservatives have achieved another freeze in Woking's share of the Council Tax following the budget meeting of council on Thursday, February 16.
In his annual budget speech, Council Leader John Kingsbury called the announcement a "remarkable achievement given the difficult economic times in which we live."
Just as importantly, Cllr Kingsbury confirmed that there would be no cuts to the council's services again in 2012/13 and that there was actually an increase in provision with money for the improvement of Westfield Common, support for Football in the Community and a programme to support young people not in education, training or employment.
In the areas of waste and recycling, affordable housing, economic vitality of the branch, children's play areas and financial control of the council, Cllr Kingsbury announced that the Conservative administration had achieved key targets and met pledges.
In a bold move, he also used his speech to promote cross-party harmony. "It may come as a surprise to those opposite that I am grateful to them for the occasions when they have supported our initiatives over the past year, hopefully they will continue to do so next year," he said.
But he also made clear that the leadership and direction the council currently has were key to its success and changes in May could threaten progress. "It is clear to me that it will be important that the voters of Woking in the May Borough Elections return a Conservative Administration to continue leading the council forward," he said.
His full speech can be read here.