A local council has sent a letter to residents asking for thoughts on a proposal to introduce voluntary tax contributions to cover projects across the borough.
Waverley Council leader Paul Follows penned a letter to residents earlier this week which confirmed efforts were being taken to put more money directly into the leafy corner of Surrey.
In a copy of his letter, seen by GB News, Follows wrote: “We are seeking your opinion on a new proposal from Waverley Borough Council aimed at supporting important causes and improving life in our borough.
“We are exploring the possibility of introducing a voluntary scheme that would allow residents in Council Tax Band H properties to contribute an additional payment.
Waverley Borough Council
WAVERLEY BOROUGH COUNCIL
“This funding could be used to support our most vulnerable residents and fund projects that enhance the quality of life across Waverley.
“Those who choose to participate would be able to make financial contributions to a charitable trust and could have a say in how the funds are allocated towards discredtionary services.
“Participation in this initiative would be entirely voluntary and reflects the council’s commitment to innovative, community-focused solutions for raising additional funding to meet our strategic priorities.”
Council tax rates vary across Waverley, with the Band H levy reaching as high as £4,812.36 in Godalming Town.
The decision to put pressure on residents for additional contributions comes less than a year after Waverley Borough Council considered a so-called voluntary “mansion tax”.
Waverley claimed it had looked at how Westminster Council had raised an additional £300,000 per year since it launched a similar scheme in 2018.
A charity would need to be set up to receive the donations and administer the scheme for the council.
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A copy of the letter sent to Waverley residents
GB NEWS
During a meeting about the proposal in August 2024, council documents said: “The residents living in band H properties in the borough will need to be consulted to get their buy in.
“This would be essential to the success of the scheme.”
Councillors authorised a consultation with all properties in Council Tax Band H to find out if residents would be willing to contribute towards a Voluntary Council Tax initiative just a few days later on September 3.
However, the latest letter to residents comes after Waverley Borough Council already asked for additional money to help plug its funding shortfall.
The plea came just months after it was announced that the then-interim finance chief covering Waverley Borough Council and nearby Guildford Borough Council would receive more than £900 per day for their shared role.
And Waverley Council last April admitted to clinging onto more than £100,000 in overpaid tax that could be claimed back by impacted residents.
Godalming
SOUTH EAST TOURISM
However, it has since been revealed that collaboration between Guildford and Waverley saved around £600,000.
But the savings come just a few years after the local authority made headlines for spending more than £500,000 defending planning appeals, leaving one councillor to query why the money was not being spent on vulnerable residents.
And collaboration could soon spell disaster for the local authority.
The leadership at Waverley Borough Council suggests it might need to help bail out its new partners after Guildford was involved in a £13.5million overspend scandal.
Waverley became embroiled in the row after it emerged that senior officers named in the neighbouing scandal later shared duties across the two authorities.
GB News has approached Waverley Council for comment.