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The Minister for Local Government has today published the second report from Woking Borough Council’s Commissioners since the beginning of the intervention in May and announced new appointments to Woking’s Commissioner team.
The Commissioners’ report sets out the Commissioners’ view that staff and councillors continue to work extremely hard to meet the challenges facing the council and has made progress in each of the 12 key areas of focus identified in their first report.
However, it remains the case that the council is in an extremely vulnerable position. Given that fact, and the announcement by the Chief Executive, Julie Fisher, that she will be stepping down in the spring, the Secretary of State has appointed Richard Carr as Managing Director Commissioner.
He will take up his post in April 2024 and will fulfil the role of Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service until such time as a permanent appointment can be made. Julie Fisher has agreed to remain in post as Chief Executive until he is able to take up this role. Richard brings with him extensive experience as a local authority chief executive.
The Lead Commissioner, Jim Taylor, has announced that he will step down in the New Year. The Secretary of State has therefore appointed Sir Tony Redmond as Lead Commissioner. Sir Tony also has a long career in local government and will take up his post in the New Year. Carol Culley OBE and Mervyn Greer remain as Commissioners.
Cllr Ann-Marie Barker, Leader of Woking Borough Council, said: “I’m pleased that the Commissioners have recognised the council’s hard work and the progress we have made in their second report, while setting out clearly the very significant challenges the council continues to face.
“The intervention model in Woking is working well and we are fortunate that we will have the experience of Sir Tony Redmond and Richard Carr to help us. I’m delighted that Julie Fisher has kindly agreed to stay on as Chief Executive until April to ensure that the council has the senior leadership it needs over that period and to enable an effective handover to Richard. I’d like to thank Jim Taylor for his work as a reviewer in the spring and as Lead Commissioner since May.”
Read the Commissioners’ second report.
Read the Ministerial response to the Commissioners’ second report.
Read more about the government intervention and about the Commissioners.