Latest news

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

The Council's response to Coronavirus and keeping residents safe

Councillors were updated on ongoing response work to the pandemic, guidance changes, nationwide testing issues and the work of the Safer Guildford Partnership at a meeting of the Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee earlier this week. Read more >

Chilworth Gunpowder Mills restoration work completed

Access to one of Guildford's most important heritage sites has been improved following completion of the latest restoration works at the Chilworth Gunpowder Mills. Read more >

Have your say on the management of Shalford Common

An online survey is now available to Shalford residents to help create a plan that will address issues including car parking on the common and parking on access tracks. Read more >

Join us virtually and in person for our Heritage Open Days 11-13 September

Guildford throws open its doors to the world from Friday 11 to Sunday 13 September as England's largest festival of history and culture, Heritage Open Days, goes online for the first time. Residents and visitors will also be able to attend some of the exciting events in person in-line with Coronavirus (Covid-19) guidelines. Read more >

Virtual Job Club programme to be set up in Guildford

A new Virtual Job Club will be launched in Guildford next month to support local economic recovery following the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. Read more >

Council considers next steps after Secretary of State decision

The Secretary of State earlier this week rejected the Council's application to reprovide Bellfields Road allotment holders with new facilities at North Moors and Aldershot Road allotments. Read more >

Relocation of Woking Road Depot to free up brownfield land for housing development

The Executive has approved plans to relocate the Woking Road Depot to create space for housing development, business, community and retail as part of the Weyside Urban Village. Read more >

Guildford Castle and Grounds amongst best UK attraction by TripAdvisor

Guildford Castle and grounds have received the 2020 TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice award for 2020, placing the attractions among the best in the UK. Read more >

Climate Change Board to focus on creating greener borough

Our commitment to tackling Climate Change and making our borough greener will now be given even greater prominence with the creation of a dedicated Climate Change Board. Read more >

Taxi driver has licence revoked - Crown Court dismisses appeal

A hackney carriage driver has had their appeal against the Council's decision to revoke their driver's licence dismissed by Guildford Crown Court. Read more >

Surrey's District and Borough Council Leaders launch work to transform Local Government across the County

On 19 August the Leaders of Surrey's 11 district and borough councils launched their 'Putting Residents First' campaign to transform local government in the county and bring decision making and services close to communities. Read more >

Guildford's August Bank Holiday Sale Bonanza - your chance to say thank you

Residents and visitors shopping in the town over the Bank Holiday weekend are in for a treat, with exciting events and competitions planned, thanks to Stuart Alexander of Big Mouth Guildford, with support from our town centre Business Improvement District Experience Guildford. Read more >

Guildford in Bloom winners announced

The winners of our borough's favourite gardening competition, Guildford in Bloom, have been announced. This year was the 39th celebration of the competition and for the first time ever was held online. Read more >

Positive feedback on Weyside Urban Village proposals

Over 200 people attended our five online public exhibitions to find out more about our proposed riverside development in Guildford and over three quarters of those who gave feedback support the project. Read more >

Update on Chantry Woods Campsite

Lead Councillor for the Environment, Cllr James Steel provides an update on the town's Chantry Woods campsite: Read more >

Update on public events in Guildford

All large events planned for 2020 on Council-owned land will be postponed or cancelled as the safety of our residents, visitors and staff remains our top priority. Read more >

Celebrating 75th anniversary of VJ Day in Guildford

VJ (Victory over Japan) Day, 15 August 1945 marked the day on which Japan surrendered bringing an end to nearly six years of war in the far east - a triumphant day following a war that cost millions of lives and saw unimaginable suffering with thousands held as prisoners of war. Read more >

Council agrees strategic plan for working towards net-zero carbon

A new high-level action plan has been agreed by the Executive which will help the Council continue to work towards achieving net-zero carbon by 2030. Read more >

Uncovering the true history of Guildford

Equality and diversity are a central part of our Council's values and recent events in America and the UK have led us to ensure we are telling the true story of our borough's past. We are forward thinking and committed to supporting equal opportunities for all, we value the diversity of thought and attitude that our community brings. Read more >

Act now to have your say in 2021

Residents across the borough have started to receive voter registration forms via letter, email and text message as part of our annual canvass. It is important that everyone checks their details are correct to avoid losing the chance to vote in the next elections. Read more >

Town centre strategy to revive Guildford

A robust plan to revive Guildford town centre and restore it as the flourishing and vibrant jewel in the borough's crown was unanimously agreed by councillors at a meeting of the Executive last night. Read more >

New guidance to ensure high-quality, sustainable development in Guildford borough

Sustainable and high-quality development that responds to the surrounding landscape, enhances biodiversity and creates vibrant, successful new communities is at the heart of new guidance adopted last night at a meeting of the Executive. This detailed guidance is called the Strategic Development Framework (SDF) Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). Read more >

Collaboration gives green light to Blackwater Valley Hotspots scheme

Significant improvements to key junctions in the Blackwater Valley area will now go ahead thanks to collaboration between Guildford Borough Council, Surrey County Council and the Local Enterprise Partnership EM3. Read more >

Over £1million additional grant funding issued to local businesses

Grants totalling £1.111 million have been made to 95 local business and charities as we continue to help our local economy recover from the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. Read more >

Guildford refreshed town centre museum opens soon

Guildford Museum is looking forward to welcoming visitors back after being closed for the past twelve months for essential repairs, providing another free attraction to visit in our historic town centre. Read more >

Update on our paddling pool

Lead Councillor for the Environment, Cllr James Steel provides an update on the borough's paddling pool. Read more >

More parking permits and electric vehicle charging points for town centre

Town centre residents will have their car parking spaces reserved seven days a week as part of changes to the town's parking zones to be implemented after the end of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. Read more >

Hear more about our plans for Weyside Urban Village: 1,500 homes to be built on brownfield land

We have four online public exhibitions in July and August, which anyone can attend to find out more about our proposed riverside development in Guildford. Read more >

Lovelace Neighbourhood Plan referendum proposed

Eligible voters in the Lovelace ward will be able to have their say about the Lovelace Neighbourhood Plan in a future referendum, following the examination of the plan and the Council's decision to accept the examiner's recommendations. Read more >

Guildford welcomes residents back for eating and drinking

Tomorrow (Saturday 4 July) pubs, bars and restaurants in Guildford will be ready to welcome visitors back for the first time since the country's lockdown in March to limit the spread of Coronavirus (Covid-19). Read more >

Playgrounds and outdoor gyms open on Saturday

Children's lives can begin to return to normal on Saturday as the lifting of restrictions allows all 66 playgrounds in the borough to re-open. Families are asked to 'Play Safe' and follow the Council's guidelines based on the government's Coronavirus (Covid-19) guidance. Read more >

Strong message to those who toss litter in Guildford

Despite polite requests and many reminders, littering in Guildford remains a growing problem. Today the Council launches a blunt anti-littering campaign with a strong message appealing for people to 'take litter home'. Read more >

New opening hours for Council's Community Helpline

The Community Helpline set-up by Guildford Borough Council to help residents in need of support during the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic will change its opening hours from Monday 6 July. Read more >

Corporate programmes Covid-19 projects review - to be revisited at a later date

Leader of the Council, Cllr Caroline Reeves said: "Since agenda item 6 was published for the Executive meeting, to be held tomorrow evening, we have learned from Twitter that our partners at County Hall may have found renewed spirit for working together to deliver our shared goals. Read more >

Guildford in Bloom 2020 goes digital

Our borough's favourite gardening competition Guildford in Bloom (#GiB2020) will take place for the 39th time this year, but with an innovative twist: we've gone online! Read more >

Mayor's Award honours service to the community

Over 20 local residents and groups who between them give hundreds of hours each week to make a real difference in their community have been recognised and celebrated by the Mayor of Guildford. Read more >

General Election result for the Guildford Constituency

The result of the election of a Member of Parliament for the Guildford Constituency has been declared. 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 >