Ann-Marie Barker
Became Council Leader after the Liberal Democrats won the May 2022 local elections. Inherited the financial crisis and has led the council through the Section 114 process, working transparently with government commissioners.
Key Actions
- Led the council through the Section 114 process and government intervention
- Worked transparently with government commissioners on financial recovery
- Disclosed the full scale of the financial crisis to residents and government
- Oversaw the council during a period of severe service cuts and council tax increases
Details
Ann-Marie Barker became leader of Woking Borough Council in May 2022 when the Liberal Democrats won control from the Conservatives in local elections. She inherited a council on the brink of financial collapse.
Shortly after taking office, Barker and the new administration began to uncover the full extent of the financial problems, including the £490 million asset write-down disclosed in October 2022.
Barker led the council through the process of informing the government about the financial crisis in February 2023, which ultimately led to the appointment of commissioners in May 2023 and the Section 114 notice in June 2023.
Under Barker's leadership, the council has adopted a transparent approach to the financial crisis, publishing information about the scale of the problems and working cooperatively with the government-appointed commissioners.
Barker has overseen the council during a period of severe austerity, with significant cuts to services and a 10% council tax increase imposed on residents as part of the financial recovery plan.
She continues to lead the council through the transition period as Surrey moves toward reorganisation into two unitary authorities, which will see Woking Borough Council cease to exist in April 2027.
Sources
- Commissioners' Publications— Woking Borough Council / Government Commissioners