Latest news

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

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 >

Priorities and achievements in our updated Corporate Plan

Our Corporate Plan is the over-arching element of our strategic planning framework. It sets out both our vision for the borough and the priorities that will guide our future strategies and plans. Read more >

New Mayor champions local volunteers

With the theme of 'Volunteering - for the people, by the people', the new Mayor for 2018-19 is Cllr Mike Parsons. Read more >

Work begins on new £10 million Crematorium for Guildford

The first phase of an important project to update the facilities at Guildford Crematorium is now underway. The Council is investing £10 million to replace the existing buildings with new facilities fit for everyone who uses its services today. Read more >

Woodbridge Road Pavilion - open for all

The Council is pleased to announce that the newly refurbished Woodbridge Road Pavilion is now open. Read more >

Essential design advice for homeowners extending or altering their properties

We are consulting on the new Residential Extensions and Alterations Supplementary Planning Document, or SPD that will replace the current Residential Extensions Guide (2004) if adopted by the Council. Read more >

Mayor celebrates service to the community at annual awards

Local residents who go the extra mile to help their local community have been recognised at the annual Mayor's Awards for Service to the Community. Read more >

Council designates Burpham Neighbourhood Forum

Following a consultation process, we have re-designated the Burpham Neighbourhood Forum as the neighbourhood forum for Burpham. 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 >

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 >