Woking is on the right track and there is much to look forward to - that was the message from Leader of Woking Borough Council John Kingsbury in an upbeat New Year's statement to residents.
John's statement in full:
"Welcome to 2016! It does not seem that long ago when I wrote my last New Year message.
"I believe we can look forward to another exciting year for our Borough. Our Celebrate Woking programme will ensure that residents can again enjoy Party in the Park and the Queen's 90th Birthday; just look at the programme on the Council's web site and make sure you don't miss anything.
"Our Borough goes from strength to strength. During the year we will see the opening of the new Cote restaurant in Commercial Way and the new Fire Station in Goldsworth Road. Above the Fire Sation will be 32 affordable en suite rooms for local singles and couples to rent as well as those affordable homes being completed for families at Kingsmoor in Westfield and Brookwood Farm in Knaphill.
"I hope you all enjoyed Christmas with your families but I am sure your thoughts, like mine, were also with those less fortunate than ourselves. The floods in Cumbria were a reminder of the floods that devastated our local communities just two years ago. The agreement in Paris to tackle Climate Change will renew our enthusiasm for environmental projects that make our Borough more sustainable and I expect our "Natural Woking" Strategy to be approved before Easter so that we can make Woking an even better place for all. I also look forward to further proposals to strengthen flood defences across the Borough. The continuing refugee crisis in many places across the world reminds us how fortunate we are. The Council is supporting the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ programme for Syrian Refugees by accepting twelve families per year. We think this number is manageable within our community and I have been greatly heartened by the many comments of support.
"During 2016 the Council has some key decisions to make. The first will be the development of Victoria Square. All the permissions are in place and now the Council needs to take the decision to proceed with its construction. I hope it does so as I look forward to the extra homes, the new Marks and Spencer’s, the additional shops, the hotel and conference facilities. Later in the year the Council will need to consider how it makes BrookwoodCemetery a high quality 21st century Cemetery as well as restoring its 19th Century heritage as a Grade 1 listed Park. Finally the Council needs to determine the future of its Sheerwater Regeneration proposals; first it needs to secure a Planning Consent and then, if consent is given, the funding approval to enable works to start in 2017.
"The Council is also changing in 2016. In the Local Election on 5 May 2016 there are "all out" Borough Elections and these will be for 10 Wards instead of 17, and for 30 seats instead of 36. It will be an interesting time!
"In closing may I wish you all the very best for 2016."
Cllr John Kingsbury, Leader, Woking Borough Council.