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Woking Council

David Bittleston

Conservative Council Leader / Deputy Leader|Council Leader until October 2020
Retired from politics, no known proceedings

Conservative Leader whom the Grant Thornton Public Interest Report found was 'very closely aligned with the former CEO's approach to investments.' Provided the political cover for the borrowing programme and highlighted Victoria Square, Sheerwater regeneration, and the Victoria Arch project as key achievements.

Key Actions

  • Provided political backing for the commercial borrowing strategy as Council Leader
  • Described by Grant Thornton as 'very closely aligned' with the CEO's approach to investments
  • Championed Victoria Square, Sheerwater, and Victoria Arch as achievements
  • Received election messaging assistance from CEO Ray Morgan, raising impartiality concerns
  • Retired unexpectedly from the leadership in October 2020, before the financial crisis became public

Details

David Bittleston served as Deputy Leader and then Leader of Woking Borough Council during a critical period of the commercial borrowing strategy. He unexpectedly retired from the role in October 2020.

The Grant Thornton Public Interest Report found that Bittleston was 'very closely aligned with the former CEO's approach to investments.' This suggests he was not merely a passive approver of officer recommendations but an active political advocate for the borrowing programme.

Under Bittleston's political leadership, the council approved or continued major projects including the Victoria Square development, the Sheerwater regeneration, and the Victoria Arch project. He publicly championed these as achievements for the borough.

The Grant Thornton report raised questions about the relationship between the political leadership and the chief executive. Ray Morgan offered Bittleston assistance with election messaging, raising concerns about whether the council's political impartiality was compromised.

Bittleston was replaced as Conservative Leader by Ayesha Azad following his retirement in October 2020. The Conservatives subsequently lost control of the council in the May 2022 elections.

Sources

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