GBC News

Update to the Local Plan agreed   Last night, (21 February) our full council agreed that an update to our Local Plan: Strategies and Sites (2019) (LPSS) is necessary. We will now look in greater detail at our evidence including the housing, retail and commercial needs of our borough. The first phase of the process will consider the budget, timetable and scope of work required to carry out a Local Plan update. We anticipate this phase  more  . . . 

Guildford Borough Council agrees its budget for 2024 to 2025   At last night’s Full Council meeting (7 February 2024), councillors approved a balanced budget for 2024 to 2025. Residents and businesses in Guildford will be reassured to hear that our Chief Financial Officer has not needed to issue a Section 114 notice at this time. The budget sets out how we will continue to deliver our services over the next three financial years more  . . . 

Guildford Celebrates Hosting 5th Anniversary of Pride in Surrey   We proudly announce our role as the host city for the 5th anniversary celebration of Pride in Surrey, set to unfold at Stoke Park on Saturday, 21 September 2024. The festivities will kick off with a vibrant parade up the High Street, leading attendees to a day-long festival at the park. Cllr Julia McShane, Leader of the Council, extends a warm welcome more  . . . 

Guildford Museum retains Arts Council Accreditation   Congratulations to our museum which has successfully retained its Full Accreditation from Arts Council England. It recognises the hard work our Heritage team have put in to: looking after our collection of objects to preserve and protect them for the future, developing an more  . . . 

Calling local talent to perform at the Mayor of Guildford’s multicultural charity gala   We’re looking for a dynamic line-up of local artistic talent to perform at the Mayor of Guildford’s multicultural charity gala. The concept for the gala reflects the Mayor of Guildford’s desire to bring together diverse communities within our borough and celebrate talented performers. At the same time, the gala will raise money for Cllr Miah’s chosen charities  more  . . . 

Executive recommends updating the Local Plan: Strategies and Sites   Last night, (25 January) our Executive agreed to recommend updating our Local Plan: Strategies and Sites (2019) (LPSS). This will now go to full council on 21 February for final approval. It is a legal requirement for us to review our Local Plan within five years of its adoption. It’s also vital for us to keep our Local Plan up to date to create a thriving and sustainable   more  . . . 

Appointment of Interim Joint Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service   Annie Righton has been appointed as Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service for Guildford Borough Council and Waverley Borough Council for an interim period. The councils’ Joint Appointments Committee made the recommendation, which was confirmed by both councils at Extraordinary Council Meetings this week  more  . . . 

Crowdfund Guildford welcomes schools and parish councils   We’re inviting local schools and parish councils to join our Crowdfund Guildford movement. Opening up applications to these integral community hubs empowers even more community ideas to come to life. We can support these ideas with up to 5k funding and it’s not too late to create a project with our Autumn round. The current round will close 31 January 2024  more  . . . 

Nominations open for The Mayor’s Award for Service to the Community 2024   Do you know a person or group that has made a significant difference to our borough? The Mayor’s Award for Service to the Community recognises individuals, groups and organisations who have gone above and beyond to serve their local community  more  . . . 

Statement on behalf of our Chief Financial Officer about the finance settlement   We’ve received notficaton of the provisional local government finance settlement from central
government. We will be receiving a 5.1% increase. This includes an assumed 2.99% increase in council tax and 1% growth in the number of households that will pay council tax next year. The remaining increase is therefore marginal, but in line with our expectations more  . . . 

New Joint Chief Executive appointed at Waverley and Guildford Borough Councils   The appointment of Pedro Wrobel as the Joint Chief Executive of Guildford Borough Council and Waverley Borough Council has been approved by both councils. Guildford Borough Councillors supported the appointment at the Extraordinary Full Council meeting on 19 December 2023. Waverley Borough Councillors have also approved  more  . . . 

North Street Update   The St Edward Homes’ plans for the mixed use redevelopment of North Street in Guildford town centre, was approved by our planning committee in October 2023.   This was subject to the completion of a legal agreement. The legal agreement for planning application 23/P/01211 has now been completed and planning permission has been issued today, 4 December 2023  more  . . .