Lib Dems question Tory priorities over £100,000 Wisley grant

Lib Dems question Council priorities over £100,000 Wisley grant

The Lib Dems have criticised the priorities of the Conservatives running Woking Borough Council after they recommended giving RHS Wisley £100,000 for a new facility outside of Woking Borough.

Yesterday, the Council's ruling Executive voted to recommend that Woking Full Council grant £100,000 to RHS Wisley to help them build a new Centre for Horticultural Science and Learning, despite the organisation having £16.9 million of funds.

Lib Dem Councillor Will Forster, Shadow Portfolio Holder for Grants, said:

"RHS Wisley is an outstanding organisation, but it is a very well off one that is not in our Borough. The Lib Dems and I do not think Woking Council should be giving it £100,000 of public money. At a time when money is so tight, it is quite incredible that the priority of the Tory-run Council is to spend £100,000 on a group that is in good financial health, has a big membership and is outside of the Council's area."

"This proposed generosity to a wealthy organisation outside of Woking is a stark contrast to the Conservative Council's penny pitching approach to groups within the Borough. Last year, Citizens Advice Woking got £38,000 less funding than the year before. The local Credit Union asked for a £18,000 grant, but got £12,000 and Meadows Sports Group in Kingfield sought £15,000 funding and secured just £4,000. Woking Tories' priorities are clearly wrong."

The final decision will be made by all Councillors at Full Council on Thursday 25th July.