Latest news

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

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 >

Borrow DIY, gardening and decorating tools from Guildford Borough Council's 'Library of Things'

We are working with Surrey County Council and SUEZ recycling and recovery UK to pilot one of the first 'Library of Things' in the country. Read more >

Council adopts Effingham Neighbourhood Plan

The Council has adopted the Effingham Neighbourhood Plan, following our meeting on 10 April and the successful referendum result on 22 February. Read more >

Celebrate our community with free road closures for The Great Get Together

Inspired by MP Jo Cox, The Great Get Together will take place on 22 - 24 June 2018. This national event aims to celebrate all that unites us as a community, and we are helping to keep costs down by waiving charges for road closures for the event. 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 >

New defibrillator could help save lives in Guildford town centre

A partnership between Guildford Lions, Guildford Borough Council and Experience Guildford has come together to install a new life-saving defibrillator at the Rodboro Buildings in Guildford, which is owned by Wetherspoons. Read more >

Action Counters Terrorism: Report suspicious activity and behaviour to tackle terrorism

Guildford Borough Council urges the public to help the police tackle terrorism and save lives by reporting suspicious behaviour and activity. Read more >

Innovative museum plans will link past, present and future

Plans for transforming our museum and creating a new, updated and improved attraction for Guildford are moving forward. Read more >

Supporting young carers with new Guildford Philanthropy fund

A new fund, initiated by deputy Mayor Cllr Mike Parsons as part of his Mayoral year fundraising, will provide crucial support to help prevent young carers in our borough falling behind educationally, emotionally and socially, due to their caring responsibilities. 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 >

Effingham Green Belt development given go ahead - Secretary of State planning appeal decision

Cllr Paul Spooner, Leader of Guildford Borough Council, says: "We have said for a long time how critical it is to have a Local Plan in place to provide a managed framework for development that balances needs across our borough. This outcome illustrates that without it, planning appeals by developers can lead to national decisions that also go against local neighbourhood plans and parishes as well as the Council's strategic plans." Read more >

Welcome announcement regarding National Housing Infrastructure Fund

The government recently announced that we were successful in the initial bid phase for funding from the new National Housing Infrastructure Fund. Read more >

Great arts for Guildford: New arts strategies launched

Guildford: a place where everyone can enjoy great arts - that's the vision of our new Arts Development and Public Arts strategies. Read more >

Guildford chosen for first trial of new traffic signals

Highways England has chosen Guildford for the first non-motorway trial of new traffic signals. The new 'smart' traffic signals are being installed at the A3 Dennis Interchange. They will monitor traffic flow and adjust their timings appropriately. Read more >

Specsavers Surrey Youth Games 2018: Registration Opens!

Register now for Team Guildford's free training sessions in preparation for the Specsavers Surrey Youth Games 2018 Read more >

Do you go out in Guildford town centre in the evening?

We want to know what you think. Read more >

Celebrate the Royal Wedding with free road closures for street parties

Are you planning to celebrate the Royal Wedding on 19 May with a street party? Guildford Borough Council is helping to keep costs down by waiving charges for road closures for the event. Read more >

Community grants give boost to local groups

Community, social enterprise and voluntary groups are among those set to benefit from Guildford Borough Council funding to support projects to improve the lives of local residents. Read more >

Discover science and arts at our fantastic free Innovate Guildford festival - Saturday 17 March

Discover a stellar line-up of inspiring science and entertainment at Innovate Guildford 2018. This free festival for all the family, staged by Guildford Borough Council, takes place at G Live on Saturday 17 March from 10am to 5pm. Read more >

What do you think is important for our borough's future?

Give us your views in our Corporate Plan consultation. Read more >

Providing our services and helping the vulnerable during severe weather

Most of our services are operating as usual today (1 March). Our main priorities remain the safety of the public and our staff and helping our most vulnerable residents to make sure they have all they need. Read more >

Leader announces Guildford Railway Station planning appeal next step

Cllr Paul Spooner, Leader of Guildford Borough Council, says: "Last month's unfortunate appeal decision by the Planning Inspector to allow the Solum scheme was extremely disappointing for us and our whole community. The Council's Planning Committee had unanimously refused permission for the scheme and alongside poor design and little gain for railway station users, it undermined our aim for more affordable housing in the town centre. Read more >

Helping local homeless people and new homelessness laws

Since 2003 the Council has had its own strategy to manage homelessness across the borough, which is reviewed and updated annually. The introduction of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 on 3 April 2018 will significantly expand the responsibilities that all councils have to help prevent homelessness. Read more >

Burpham Neighbourhood Forum consultation dates announced

On 4 February 2013, the Burpham Neighbourhood Area (Burpham ward) and the Burpham Neighbourhood Forum were formally designated by the Council. This forum has subsequently been responsible for producing the Burpham Neighbourhood Plan, which is used to help make planning decisions in the area. Read more >

Council agrees budget for local investment and more savings to help withstand funding challenges

Despite no overall government grant for 2018-19, a successful combination of focused savings, wise investment and effective management ensures that the Council remains in a very strong financial position. Read more >

Effingham residents encouraged to complete voter registration before Neighbourhood Plan referendum

Residents of the Effingham ward and parish have until midnight on Tuesday 6 February to register to vote if they wish to participate in the Effingham Neighbourhood Plan referendum, which is planned to take place on Thursday 22 February. Read more >

£10 million government funding for new Ash Bridge to unlock housing potential and reduce congestion

Today (1 February) the government announced that we were successful in our £10 million funding bid from the new national Housing Infrastructure Fund. Read more >

Who goes the extra mile in your community? Nominations invited for Mayor's award

Do you know anyone in your community who has done exceptional work to improve the lives of others? Read more >

Making it easier to get around Guildford: Have your say on local traffic and transport improvements

Residents and businesses can give their views on proposals to ease congestion and improvements to infrastructure across the borough in a consultation called Unlocking Guildford, which opened on Monday (22 January). Read more >