Latest news

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

Transforming Guildford's town centre and future continues

We are moving forward with our bold plans to regenerate Guildford, as we continue work on our overall strategy and engage external specialists to help with some of the next stages. Read more >

Get in touch and discover the hidden treasures in your local area

Our borough is full of historical objects, hidden places and untold stories. This has inspired Guildford Museum's new project, Our History Our Identity, which aims to uncover more about our rural past and identity by involving and working with local residents. Read more >

Extension of Licensing for Landlords and Letting Agents

New rules will apply from 1 October 2018 as the licensing of houses in multiple occupation (HMO) is extended to cover all properties occupied by five or more people, regardless of the size of the property. An HMO is a house occupied by unrelated individuals or couples and would include student or shared houses. Read more >

Guildford Community Lottery - get involved

Guildford Borough Council is launching a new online lottery called the Guildford Community Lottery. We are introducing the lottery to provide local charities, community and voluntary organisations, sports clubs, arts groups and other good causes with an opportunity to raise funds. Read more >

West Horsley Neighbourhood Plan - consulting you

West Horsley Parish Council has submitted a Neighbourhood Plan to the Council. The Neighbourhood Plan has recently been examined by an independent examiner, who recommended that a number of changes are made to the plan before it goes out to a referendum of residents in the West Horsley Neighbourhood Area. Read more >

Great step forward for local democracy as Guildford Joint Committee established

Even closer working between Guildford Borough Council and Surrey County Council will take its next step this year after approval was given to set up a new Guildford Joint Committee. Read more >

Council adopts East Horsley Neighbourhood Plan

The Council has adopted the East Horsley Neighbourhood Plan, following its meeting on 24 July and the successful referendum result on 17 May 2018. Read more >

Another great year for Guildford's parks and green spaces

Guildford's parks and green spaces have once again been recognised for being beautifully maintained, having the highest possible environmental standards and excellent visitor facilities, retaining our status as one of the best areas to visit in the South East. Read more >

Travellers at Bellfields Green

We are aware of a new traveller encampment on Bellfields Green, and are in the process of doing all we can, as quickly as possible. Read more >

Green light for infrastructure improvements and community bike scheme

The first stage of package of improvements to make it easier to get around Guildford have been given the go-ahead, highlighting the Council's commitment to sustainable transport and economic growth. Read more >

Future £8.5 million budget gap means more savings and local investment

Despite a successful combination of focused savings, wise investment and effective management, the Council still faces significant funding challenges. Read more >

Travellers at Shalford Park

The traveller encampment at Shalford Common has left. We will now begin clearing-up the site. Read more >

Local Plan hearings finish - more opportunities to shape our borough's future

Cllr Paul Spooner, Leader of the Council, says: "Across our whole borough, people need places to live and thrive, with a great environment, transport and other vital infrastructure to support them. The government's Planning Inspector has now finished the public hearings, which form part of his independent examination of our new Local Plan. Our plan aims to provide a framework for the future, whilst balancing critical and changing needs, and we have responded to a series of questions on a variety of topics throughout the process. Read more >

LGiU's annual Councillor Achievement Awards 2018

Now in their ninth year, the LGiU awards are the only awards to celebrate the important work of councillors across England. If you would like to nominate a councillor please visit the LGiU website and make your nomination. Nominations can be made by councillors, officers, MPs, residents or other stakeholders - but councillors may not nominate themselves. Categories include; Community Champion, Finance and Transformation Award, Health Care Award, Leader of the Year, Place-shaping and Environment Award, Technology and Digital Award and Young Councillor of the Year. The closing date is 14 September and the winners will be announced on 6 November.

Published on Friday 6 July.

Travellers on Shalford Common

We are aware of the traveller encampment on Shalford Common, and are in the process of doing all we can, as quickly as possible. Read more >

Tunsgate improvements complete

Improvement works to the footpaths and road behind Guildford's iconic Tunsgate Arch are now complete. Finishing touches in the form of benches and a new gate will be added soon to further enhance the area as one of the top shopping and visitor destinations in the South East. Read more >

Guildford celebrates sporting success

Team Guildford and individuals across the borough triumphed again at the Specsavers Surrey Youth Games 2018 over the weekend. Now in its 22nd year, the annual event saw 230 local young people taking part, demonstrating their passion for sport and great sportsmanship throughout the free training sessions and the final competition days. Read more >

Guildford in Bloom schools celebrate gardens from around the world

Green-fingered schoolchildren celebrated 'The World Around Us' as the theme of this year's Guildford in Bloom Schools Competition. Over a dozen schools, from infants to secondary, used their creativity to design, plant and look after gardens this spring. Read more >

Armed Forces Day Flag Raising and Parade

On Monday 25 June, the Armed Forces Day Flag Raising ceremony will take place at the Guildhall, High Street at 11.30am. Read more >

Another step forward for Slyfield regeneration

The Executive approved the next stage of the new internal road at Slyfield Industrial Estate at its meeting on 19 June, which means detailed design and construction options can now be progressed. Read more >

Guildford's Library of Things Now Open

Guildford's much anticipated Library of Things opened for lending earlier this month. The volunteer-run scheme hosted by Guildford Library is a collaboration between Guildford Borough Council, Surrey County Council and SUEZ recycling and recovery UK. One of the first of its kind in the country, the initiative enables residents to borrow hand-held DIY, gardening and decorating tools at a fraction of the cost to buy. Read more >

Changes to councillors on the Executive - June 2018

Joining the Council's Executive is Cllr Gordon Jackson, as Lead Councillor for Innovation and Transformation, and Cllr Nigel Manning as Lead Councillor for Finance and Asset Management. Read more >

Traveller encampment update - Bellfields Green, Bannisters Field and Compton

The travellers who were at Bannisters Field have all now left the encampment. Read more >

Traveller encampment at Bannisters Field

We are aware of the traveller encampment on Bannisters Field, near the Royal Surrey County Hospital, and are in the process of doing all we can, as quickly as possible. Read more >

Council Leader reacts to Wisley Airfield planning appeal decision

Cllr Paul Spooner, Leader of the Council, says: "We are very pleased that the appeal about land at Wisley Airfield has been dismissed by the Secretary of State. This supports the Council's view that the application that was submitted and subsequently refused by the Council's Planning Committee was unacceptable. Read more >

Local Plan public hearings start for independent inspection

Cllr Paul Spooner, Leader of the Council, says: "We are very proud of the Local Plan we submitted to the inspectorate and look forward to it being tested through the examination process and the public hearings that start today (5 June). Read more >

Protecting the food on your plate and eating out in Guildford

We love our food, there's simply no denying it. In fact, as a nation, we spent over £203 billion on food and drink last year alone. But the safety of our food is often something we take for granted. Read more >

Tunsgate improvements to complete by June

Work on the footpaths and road behind Guildford's iconic Tunsgate Arch will be finished by the end of June, enhancing the town's appeal as one of the key shopping locations and visitor destinations in the south-east. Read more >

Statement: Guildford maintains high standards

Following the articles in 'The Times' regarding examples of inadequate taxi standards and outdated legislation, Guildford Borough Council wishes to reassure residents, and users of the Borough's licensed taxi and private hire services, that the measures and standards the Council has been taking over recent years will improve standards for the benefit of the travelling public. Read more >

Councillor resigns from Conservative Group

Councillor Tony Rooth has resigned from the Conservative group on the Council to become an Independent Councillor. He has been a Borough Councillor for 15 years, representing Pilgrims ward and has held various appointments including Leader of the Council and being Lead Councillor for Housing and Social Welfare.

The political balance of the Council, which has 48 councillors, is now 33 Conservative, 9 Liberal Democrat, 3 Guildford Greenbelt Group, 2 Labour and 1 independent.

Published on Wednesday 23 May

New Guildford Community Lottery will give chances to support good causes and win prizes

The new Guildford Community Lottery, approved at last night's Executive meeting (22 May), will help raise additional funding for good causes across the borough while providing an opportunity for players to win weekly prizes of up to a possible £25,000. Read more >

Local Plan progresses with more answers for independent inspector

Cllr Paul Spooner, Leader of the Council, says: "Our new Local Plan is the best way to provide the homes, jobs, education, transport and other essential infrastructure to balance community needs across our borough. Progress continues and we have now responded to the second set of initial questions and the matters and issues questions received from the Planning Inspector. Our answers give the opportunity to clarify the reasoning behind our plan and explain the positive steps taken to deliver the plan." Read more >