With Woking Borough Council having been issued a Section 114 Notice over their £2billion debt a meeting with their local MP Jonathan Lord was
essential for local member business owners to not only discuss what this means to them long term but to put forward recommendations to avert economic chaos. The Surrey Development Manager decided on utilising a local member’s office facilities and Invotra (software developers) volunteered their conference room. Unfortunately due to space restrictions not all who wanted to attend could be accommodated. Facilitated by FSB area lead Simon Palmer we got straight down to straight talking and Jonathan confirmed that although the meeting was scheduled for one hour he felt that it would take nearer two and that he would leave the meeting to attend a meeting with both leader and chief executive of the Council.
Jonathan confirmed that some 60 staff would be offered redundancy and that inevitably Council Tax would be increased along with car parking charges. We pointed out that raising car park charged would have a detrimental effect on the local high street. Jonathan suggested that we read both the Commissioners Report and the Finance Director Report available online.
Jonathan felt that there should be no real impact on businesses but stressed that we should keep him informed of any change. There was a feeling around the table that on this issue insufficient engagement existed with the local authority and business organisations. Jonathan promised to fix that problem in his next meeting.
Simon Palmer said of the meeting “This is why FSB exists. It was formed to represent small businesses when an unforeseeable crisis arrives. Well done FSB and Jonathan Lord MP”.