Latest news

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

Guildford celebrates Armed Forces Day with special flag-raising ceremony

Guildford honoured Britain's Armed Forces Day today by hosting a special flag-raising ceremony at the Guildhall in the High Street. Read more >

Summer time celebrated at Guildford in Bloom School Gardening Awards 2019

Schools are not quite out but there was definitely a buzz at the Guildford in Bloom Schools Gardening Competition awards at Clandon Park Garden Centre this week. The Mayor of Guildford, Cllr Richard Billington presented the children with their certificates and winners were treated to a talk from a bee keeper and a potting workshop. Read more >

Specsavers Surrey Youth Games 2019 celebrates sport for all

Young people from across the borough enjoyed representing Team Guildford at the twenty-third Specsavers Surrey Youth Games, hosted at Surrey Sports Park over the weekend. Read more >

Council welcomes seminar on Planning for Climate Change

The Council are pleased to welcome the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) to their Millmead offices to hold a seminar on Planning for Climate Change. Read more >

Acts of Blooming Kindness from Guildford in Bloom and still time to enter

Capturing the power of flowers, we gave a special Guildford in Bloom twist to the well-known altruistic gesture of 'a random act of kindness'. This year we collaborated with Halow Project students to create 'Acts of Blooming Kindness' to further promote our popular annual gardening competition, now in its 38th year. Entries for 2019 close on Sunday 16 June. Read more >

Draft Guildford Town Centre Views Supplementary Planning Document

We are consulting on the new draft Guildford Town Centre Views Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). Read more >

Bringing history to life: Guildford Museum out and about this summer

Connecting the past with the present and bringing history to life, Guildford Museum is out and about this summer, with lots of exciting free events around the borough. Read more >

Guildford Philanthropy celebrates five years and £500,000 of fundraising

Guildford Philanthropy celebrated its fifth year recently with an event at Guildford Castle. Read more >

Food poverty a growing issue across the borough

The real impact of food poverty and insecurity across the borough has been revealed following a wide-ranging analysis by the Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee. 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 >

New Council Leader and Executive confirmed

A new Council Leader and Executive are now in place for Guildford Borough Council. The new Council Leader is Cllr Caroline Reeves and the Deputy Leader is Cllr Fiona White. Read more >

New Mayor to focus on health and wellbeing

With the theme of 'Supporting health in our community', the new Mayor for 2019-20 is Cllr Richard Billington. Read more >

Good deeds and community spirit celebrated

Local residents who make a real difference in their community have been recognised and celebrated at a special ceremony. The Mayor's Award for Service to the Community took place at the County Club recently to celebrate the contribution of local people who were nominated by residents in the borough. 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 >

Help shape plans for Westborough Play Spaces

Residents have a chance to help with proposals to refurbish play areas at Chapelhouse, Kings College, Woodside Road and Derby Road. This is the first stage of an exciting project to regenerate these areas for local families to enjoy. The online survey is open now and runs until 30 May. The Parks and Leisure Team including our Playrangers will also be visiting schools and community groups to make sure everyone can have their say. Read more >

Think before you ink

Thinking of having a piercing, acupuncture, a tattoo, or micro-blading? Make sure you use a registered practitioner! Read more >

New Local Plan adopted at Extraordinary Council meeting

After a comprehensive and wide-ranging debate, the Council decided last night (25 April) to adopt the Guildford Borough Local Plan: Strategy and Sites. There was a majority vote by 28 councillors to adopt the Local Plan, 12 voted against adoption and 4 abstained to vote. Read more >

Local Plan - additional arrangements for Extraordinary Council meeting on 25 April

The Council will consider whether or not the Guildford Borough Local Plan: Strategy and Sites should be adopted at its meeting at 7pm on Thursday 25 April 2019. Read more >

Southway Chicken House fined for breaching licensing rules

A local chicken shop has been fined and ordered to pay costs to Guildford Borough Council, after pleading guilty to trading outside its licensed hours. Read more >

Notice of European Parliamentary Election - Thursday 23 May 2019

The Election for 10 members of the European Parliament for the South East Region is due to take place on Thursday 23 May. Read more >

Extra funding for home adaptations to be considered

More help for home adaptations that support vulnerable residents to stay living safely and independently in their own homes will be considered at a meeting of the Executive on 23 April. Read more >

The Guildford Lottery hits a new milestone

The Guildford Community Lottery hit a new benchmark this week as the 100th local good cause signed up to raise funds. Read more >

Statement of persons nominated for local elections - Thursday 2 May 2019

Elections for local borough councillors in all 22 Guildford Borough Council wards will take place on Thursday 2 May. Read more >

Town Centre's New Play Garden is officially open!

Local families celebrated the opening of our wonderful new play park at Westnye Gardens, just off the River Wey near the High Street on Saturday 30 March. 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 >

Crown Court confirms council decision to revoke private hire driver's licence

A private hire driver has lost their appeal against Guildford Borough Council's decision to revoke their private hire driver's licence. Read more >

Guildford in Bloom competition blasts off for 2019

Guildford in Bloom, the borough's favourite horticultural celebration is open for entries. The free competition is open to everyone, of all ages, living and working in Guildford and closes on 16 June. This year we showcase a lunar theme to mark the 50th Anniversary of the first Moon landing and launch a new category: 'Best Site for Nature Conservation'. Read more >

West Clandon neighbourhood area designated

Guildford Borough Council designated West Clandon parish as a neighbourhood area on 18 March 2019, following an application from West Clandon Parish Council. Read more >

Helping Guildford Shakespeare Company find a new home

We support a wide range of arts, heritage and cultural organisations across our borough, including the Guildford Shakespeare Company (GSC). Read more >

New sustainable travel network for Guildford

Businesses and organisations across Guildford can secure travel discounts for their staff thanks to a new network launched by the Council as part of its air quality strategy action plan. Read more >

Adventure playground and gardens to open in town centre

Following an exciting redevelopment programme Westnye Gardens will open to the public on Saturday 30 March. The Gardens are situated in the heart of Guildford, across the River Wey from Debenhams. Read more >

Science and art come alive at Innovate Guildford on 23 March

Our fantastic science and arts festival, Innovate Guildford is back for its 4th year on Saturday 23 March at G Live. Read more >

New museum - next steps towards a destination to showcase and celebrate innovation, creativity and place

The Executive will consider the latest progress and next stage in transforming our museum into a major focal point for heritage and the arts at its next meeting on 19 March. 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 >

Future Guildford - proposals to transform and improve whole Council

Last night (19 February), the Executive considered the next step for Future Guildford, a Council-wide approach to potentially reorganising our whole organisation. They recommended it for approval at the next Council meeting on 26 February. Read more >

New Local Plan another step closer after public hearing

The government's Planning Inspector has now finished his latest public hearing, which took place on 12-13 February and forms part of his independent examination of our submitted Local Plan. Read more >

Next week's Local Plan public hearing will focus on housing

The government's Planning Inspector will hold another public hearing on 12-13 February, at the Council's offices in Guildford, as part of his independent examination of our submitted Local Plan. Read more >

Local Plan - public hearing on 12 to 13 February 2019 to focus on housing

The government's Planning Inspector will hold another public hearing, at the Council's offices in Guildford, as part of his independent examination of our submitted Local Plan. Read more >

Local Plan - thousands of public comments and impact of latest consultation

We received over 5,500 comments in the recent consultation on the main modifications to our new Local Plan. Read more >

Local Plan - latest household figures could mean fewer homes with no extra greenbelt sites

Latest household projection figures could have major implications for our emerging Local Plan and potentially reduce the number of homes needed in the borough each year. Read more >

Updated Local Plan - consultation on main changes starts 11 September

Help shape the borough's future by commenting on the main modifications to our updated Local Plan in the next consultation, as agreed by the Executive at its meeting last night (4 September). Read more >

Local Plan - next step in shaping our borough's future

We are reaching another milestone in providing much-needed homes, jobs, leisure and other opportunities across our borough, as the Executive consider the main modifications consultation at a special Local Plan meeting on Tuesday 4 September. 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 >

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 >

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 >

Local Plan next step - guidance, matters and issues for examination and hearings

Cllr Paul Spooner, Leader of the Council, says: "Our new Local Plan is progressing through independent examination and aims to help communities thrive and balance needs, wherever people live or work in the borough. The Planning Inspector manages the whole process and decides if he wants to ask the Council, or anyone else, for clarification or to raise concerns as part of testing the soundness of our plan. Read more >

Local Plan progresses with 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. We have now responded to the set of initial questions received from the Planning Inspector, which is part of the usual process of developing a new plan and included topics such as housing numbers, meeting needs and the timing of delivery. Read more >

Local Plan initial questions received from independent inspector

Cllr Paul Spooner, Leader of the Council, says: "Our Local Plan is about balancing community needs and enabling people to thrive, wherever they live or work in the borough. Receiving the set of initial questions from the Planning Inspector is another step forward and part of the usual process when developing a new plan." Read more >