Latest news

Keep up-to-date with all the latest news and press releases.

Tunsgate Arch is open!

The town's historic Tunsgate Arch is open again after a period of closure for restoration. Read more >

Protecting our important town centre views

How to manage future change, retain keys views and the special character of Guildford - there's now more guidance to help developers making planning applications in our borough. The Guildford Town Centre Views Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) was adopted by our Executive at a meeting on Tuesday 24 September. Read more >

Discover your inner artist in The Big Draw 2019

The world's biggest drawing festival, The Big Draw, is back with the theme of 'drawn to life' next month. This is the seventh year the Council has coordinated a programme of workshops at a variety of exciting venues throughout the borough and this year there are a few surprises. Read more >

New Executive Member for Guildford Borough Council

Cllr John Rigg was appointed as Lead Councillor for Major Projects at a meeting of the Executive on Tuesday 24 September. Read more >

Innovative plans for new museum move forward

Exciting plans to create a major new focal point for heritage and the arts in Guildford have taken another step forward. Last night the Executive considered the latest progress and next stage in transforming our museum into a significant cultural attraction. Read more >

Future-proofing the borough's best loved Stoke Park

Stoke Park will be revitalised after councillors agreed to invest in a masterplan to improve and protect the most vibrant and historic green space in Guildford, at a meeting of the Executive on Tuesday 24 September. Read more >

Continued investment and expansion of Joint Enforcement Team (JET)

Our Joint Enforcement Team (JET) deal with issues that we know impact residents, bringing together the enforcement powers of key teams from across the council and the work of colleagues from Surrey Police, JET deal with anti-social behaviour (ASB), unauthorised traveller encampments, dog fouling, fly tipping and littering amongst others. Read more >

Raising the woof at the PawPrints Awards

The Council has achieved a Bronze Animal Activity Licensing Award from the RSPCA PawPrints Awards. Read more >

On Street Parking review - Have your say

Together with the County Council, we are reviewing on-street parking in various locations throughout the borough. Read more >

Shalford consultation on Air Quality Action Plan

At the recent (18 September) Guildford Joint Committee meeting it was agreed to carry out a four-week consultation regarding an Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) for the area affected. Read more >

Still the only town in Surrey with a Purple Flag!

For the sixth year in a row, Guildford town centre has been recognised by the Purple Flag assessors for providing evenings and nights out that are safe, vibrant and varied. It remains the only town in the county, and one of around 70 in the UK, to hold the award. Read more >

Over the moon with Guildford in Bloom successes for 2019!

Gardens across the borough were celebrated through the theme of '50 years of lunar landings' at the annual Guildford in Bloom awards last night at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre. Read more >

Security mark from Surrey Police for new council homes at The Orchard

Gavin Stephens, Chief Constable of Surrey Police, has presented Guildford Borough Council with a prestigious 'Secured by Design' Gold Award for our new social housing development, 'The Orchard'. Read more >

Visit our heritage sites for free this weekend

Historic buildings, idyllic landscapes and vibrant parks and gardens across Guildford are open to all from Friday 13 September until Sunday 15 September as part of the annual Heritage Open Days celebration, now in its 25th year. Read more >

Making walking and cycling in and around Guildford safer and easier

The second phase of improvements to make pedestrian and cyclist shared paths safer and easier to use between Egerton Road/Tesco Roundabout and the University of Surrey's Stag Hill Campus will start on 16 September and last for 12-14 weeks. Read more >

Twins for 40 years! Visitors from Freiburg enjoy Guildford's heritage, innovation and culture

Visitors from Guildford's twin town Freiburg, led by its Lord Mayor Martin Horn, joined representatives from the Council and partners to celebrate 40 years of twinning. Read more >

100th new council home marks milestone for borough

The first tenants are settling into their new homes at The Orchard in Park Barn, where we recently completed the build of 18 flats, nine of which are wheelchair-accessible. Read more >

Have your say! Public consultation for parish boundary adjustment begins today

The public consultation to alter the existing boundary between the parishes of East Horsley and Effingham in the Effingham Common area will start today (Monday 2 September 2019). Read more >

Grant to help fund iconic A3 roadside sculpture to mark G F Watt's 200th birthday

Last night the Executive approved a £40,000 grant to the Watts Gallery Trust to help towards the cost of installing a cast of the famous sculpture, Physical Energy, alongside the A3 at Compton. Read more >

Executive agrees on recommendations to tackle food poverty

At its recent meeting on 27 August, the Executive agreed to recommendations on tackling food poverty and insecurity in our borough. Read more >

Council Leader announces resignation from the Executive of Cllr Susan Parker

The Leader of the Council, Cllr Caroline Reeves, has announced the resignation of Cllr Susan Parker from the Guildford Borough Council Executive today (27 August) in light of questions over conduct.

A confidential review is underway and in the meantime Cllr Parker will return to the backbenches as a ward councillor for Send and the Leader of Guildford Greenbelt Group. No further comments will be made during the confidential review.

Guildford's High Street Gallery turns 60!

Guildford House Gallery is 60 years young this year and is celebrating all summer with an exhibition dedicated to people and places with links to the borough. Read more >

Raising the roof at Guildford Crematorium

A major milestone in the rebuild of Guildford Crematorium was reached this week as we held a 'topping out' ceremony to mark the completion of the new roof on the main chapel building. Read more >

Local Plan statutory challenges - detailed grounds submitted

The Council submitted its detailed grounds of defence about the Local Plan statutory challenges, in accordance with the court's direction to do so by the deadline on 14 August. Read more >

Funding for FISH from High Sheriff Youth Awards

Our holiday playscheme, FISH (Fun in the Summer Holidays) was awarded £2,000 by the High Sheriff Youth Awards scheme last week. Read more >

Sowing seeds with cultural collaboration

An innovative community gardening and arts project supporting five Syrian refugee families was celebrated yesterday (25 July) at Guildford House Gallery. Read more >

Council declares Climate Emergency and commits to plastic free borough

At its meeting last night (23 July), the Council approved two motions to help tackle Climate Change. Read more >

Community Governance Review - Parishes of East Horsley and Effingham

Following a formal request from East Horsley Parish Council, it was agreed at last night's Council meeting to start a Community Governance Review (CGR) to set a new northern boundary between East Horsley and Effingham Parishes in the Effingham Common area. Read more >

Inspiring generations through poetry: Whatever The Weather

A community poetry project in Ash has proved that creative writing and performing is not only great fun, it develops positive new skills, confidence and a greater understanding between generations. Read more >

Just the ticket - plans for Guildford West station are on track

Proposals for a new railway station to serve the west of Guildford are on the right track. Read more >

Guildford has the most Green Flags in the South East!

Guildford's parks and green spaces have been awarded a record 10 Green Flags this year - the most in the whole of Surrey and the South East. Read more >

New playgrounds for Park Barn and Westborough a step closer

New inspiring play areas for children of all ages will be coming to Park Barn and Westborough, as plans to improve existing play spaces move forward. Read more >

Funding for new fleet of refuse and waste collection vehicles agreed

At its meeting on 16 July the Executive approved funding of £3.4M for a new fleet of refuse and recycling collection vehicles. Read more >

A straight flush for Guildford's Toilets

A review by the Executive Committee found that the 17 public toilets in Guildford are well used and maintained. Read more >

New Russell painting and prestigious fellowship award for Guildford House Gallery

The summer exhibition 'People and Places' at Guildford House Gallery will be further enhanced with an addition to the collection by local artist and Royal Academician John Russell (1745-1806). Read more >

Your chance to enter Guildford's Innovation Awards 2019

If your business is based in Guildford and breaking new ground in its industry, we want to hear from you. Now in its third year Guildford's Innovation Awards 2019 supported by Kyan, has nine categories celebrating a spectrum of sectors from healthcare and technology to sustainability. Read more >

Brownfield land unlocked for sustainable affordable housing

Plans to regenerate 41 hectares of brownfield land at Slyfield for new homes - 40% of which will be affordable housing - have reached a significant milestone. Read more >

Final results for all 22 Guildford Borough wards now online

We have been publishing the results for each ward as they were declared throughout the day. Read more >

New Local Plan - Planning Inspector's final report published

The government's Planning Inspector has now produced his final report and recommendations and submitted them to the Council. This marks the end of his independent examination of our submitted Local Plan. Read more >

Chantry Wood campsite to remain open

The Council's Executive have agreed that Chantry Wood campsite in the Surrey Hills AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) will remain open for use by the public. Read more >