2025/2026 Elmbridge budget: Free Parking and increased support for local families

The Lib Dem/Residents Association coalition on Elmbridge Borough Council has extended 30-minute free car parking to 10 village car parks in Claygate, Molesey, Long Ditton, Thames Ditton, Hersham, Walton-on-Thames, Weybridge and Oxshott.

The proposed budget balances the books while also delivering on what residents have told us matters most: helping our high streets thrive, investing in community projects, and supporting vulnerable residents.

Councillor Jez Langham, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources said this about the 2025/2026 Budget

“The budget for 25/26, whilst remaining resilient and keeping us in a strong position compared to our peers in the rest of Surrey, does as much as we can for groups of people who need the help the most.

A good example of the help we are giving to our residents is the support we are giving to our villages where we are providing half an hours free parking to increase footfall on our village high streets to help business thrive in the same way as our towns.

We are also adding £150,000 to the £650,000 that we have set aside for our charities and voluntary organisations like Walton Charities to make support available for families struggling in the area due to the cost of living crisis.”

Despite the economic challenges imposed by the national Government, the Liberal Democrat/Residents coalition is committed to maintaining essential services and providing targeted support where it is most needed.