Latest news

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

Supporting our most vulnerable residents across the borough

Aspire Voluntary Grants Scheme Read more >

Leaders Statement: Coronavirus (Covid-19) Vaccination Programme

Cllr Joss Bigmore, Leader of the Council says: Read more >

Asking young people to share stories of life in lockdown

Young people and their parents and carers can share their experiences of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic and get advice on the future at our online Community Engagement event on Thursday 14 January at 6pm. Read more >

G Live Opens For First Phase of Vaccination Programme

Our G Live entertainment venue in the town centre will be used as a GP-led local vaccination service from Tuesday 12 January as part of the government's Coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccination programme. Read more >

Make your home more energy efficient with a £15,000 grant

Residents can save money on their energy bills with a new 'Green Jump Surrey' grant of up to £15,000. Read more >

Ash Road Bridge Plans Approved

Our plans to improve safety and reduce congestion at Ash Station by building a new road bridge and later a foot bridge to replace the level crossing were last night (Wednesday 6 January) approved by our Planning Committee. Read more >

Join Our Free Online Business Briefing

Business owners are invited to learn about our 2021-22 budget and get information on supporting future economic recovery in a sustainable way at our free online Economic Briefing on Thursday 14 January. Read more >

Leader Statement - National Lockdown: Stay at Home

Cllr Joss Bigmore, Leader of the Council said: 'As we return to national lockdown today, I'd like to thank you all for your continued patience and commitment to following the guidance over the past 10 months. We must pull together again now to get through the next phase of this unprecedented pandemic. Read more >

Leader Statement: Tier 4 - Please Stay At Home

Cllr Joss Bigmore, Leader of the Council said: 'Coronavirus (Covid 19) infection rates have rapidly increased across most of Surrey and following yesterday's (Saturday 19 December) announcement from the Prime Minister we have moved into stricter Tier 4 restrictions today. Read more >

Christmas and New Year Bin Collection Changes

Bin collection days will change over the Christmas and New Year period but a full service of rubbish and recycling collections will continue over the festive season. Although there will be no garden waste collections between the 29th December and the 9th January, crews will still be out collecting your Christmas waste. Read more >

Guildford Innovation Awards 2020 Celebrate Outstanding Achievements

Press release in collaboration with University of Surrey and Surrey Research Park Read more >

Leader Statement - Tier 3

Cllr Joss Bigmore, Leader of the Council says: "From 12.01am on Saturday morning we enter Tier 3, alongside most of Surrey and other parts of the South East. It is essential that we continue to play our part to reduce the spread of the virus by following the increased government restrictions, protect the NHS and save lives. Read more >

COVID-19 Impact: Borough Businesses have your say

Do you own or run a business in Guildford? Local business owners can now let us know how we can help provide further support and advice by completing our quick and simple online survey. Read more >

Watch Our Presentation On Our North Street Regeneration Plans

Our plans to revive Guildford town centre and restore it as the flourishing and vibrant jewel in the borough's crown continued earlier this week with a public exhibition introducing our vision for North Street and a new bus station. Read more >

Celebrating Guildford's innovative achievements

Celebrate the very best of Guildford's business community at the 2020 Guildford Innovation Awards. Read more >

Feeding families this Christmas

We are supporting families across the borough with food parcels to help tackle holiday hunger this Christmas. Read more >

Plans for Ash Road Bridge to go to Planning Committee

We are making progress with our plans to reduce congestion at Ash Station by building a new road bridge and later a foot bridge to replace the level crossing, with an application going to our Planning Committee early next year. Read more >

£112,000 and happy second birthday to our Community Lottery

Our Community Lottery celebrates two years of helping local good causes raise money for themselves this December. Since launching in 2018, the Guildford Community Lottery has raised almost £112,000 for over 130 charities, clubs, school PTAs and other not-for-profit organisations in our borough. Read more >

Please Join our Mayoralty's Online Christmas Concert this Sunday

The Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Guildford invite everyone to join them from their homes this Sunday, 13 December, for their 2020 Mayor of Guildford's Christmas Concert. Read more >

New Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Guildford selected for 2021-22

Cllr Marsha Moseley and Cllr Dennis Booth were formally nominated to become the new Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Guildford for 2021-22, at last night's full meeting of the Council. Read more >

Work to begin on Walnut Bridge to improve access to town centre for pedestrians and cyclists

Work begins on Monday 14 December on the new Walnut Bridge, which will create a wider bridge across the River Wey and a landscaped plaza to offer an improved route into the town centre for pedestrians and cyclists. Read more >

Money For Businesses - Still Available

Two government grants of up to £3000 are still available to businesses affected by November's four-week national lockdown. Read more >

Protecting Guildford from dog mess

Dog walkers who allow their pets to foul without clearing it up will continue to face fines of up to £1000 after the borough-wide banning order was extended. Read more >

More Support For Rate-Paying Businesses

New grants of up to £3,000 are available to help local businesses which have been affected by the second national lockdown in place since Thursday 5 November. Read more >

Budget Consultation: Where should we prioritise our spending?

We are asking residents to have their say on where we should prioritise our spending after medium-term budget plans considered by the Executive last week predicted a shortfall of £2 million next year, rising to a total £4.4 million in the next four years. Read more >

Honorary Alderman Gordon Bridger

It is with great sadness that we can confirm the death of Former Mayor and Honorary Alderman Gordon Bridger last week (Friday, 27 November). Read more >

New Trees to be planted on Stoughton Recreation Ground to help tackle Climate Change

New trees, shrubs and bulbs will be planted on Stoughton Recreation Ground this winter as part of Surrey County Council's Greener Future Design Challenge. Read more >

Small Business Tour Comes To Town

Guildford's brilliant independent businesses will be celebrated in the Small Business virtual tour on Monday 30 November, as we continue to support our local economy through the Coronavirus pandemic. Read more >

Park For Less This Christmas

Residents, shoppers and those working in the town centre will be able to park their cars for less over the Christmas and New Year period as part of an initiative to encourage everyone to stay longer when visiting the town. Read more >

Grants give boost to local Parish Councils

Local villages are set to benefit from our Concurrent Functions Grant Aid Scheme, which provides financial assistance to parish councils to support projects to improve the lives of local residents. Read more >

Budget Challenges, residents to help set priorities

The Executive considered the latest outline budget for 2021-22 and business planning to help with the Council's medium-term plans up to 2025 at a meeting last night (24 November). Savings will continue and residents will be asked for their views on where to prioritise spending. Read more >

Supporter of the Guildford Lottery wins national prize

A local player of our Community Lottery won a national prize for a Family Forest Staycation when he bought tickets to support Guildford's radio station Kane FM in the Autumn prize draw. Read more >

Bringing some Christmas Sparkle to your Door!

While we were sadly unable to hold our traditional community Christmas Lights event this week, we are delighted to celebrate the switch-on and the countdown to the holidays with a special video dedicated to our wonderful borough. Read more >

Reminder: Shalford Common Consultation deadline extended to 31 December 2020

Our Shalford Common consultation deadline has been extended. You now have until the 31 December 2020 to share your views on the management of Shalford Common. Read more >

Grant Applications Open For Businesses Closed During Lockdown

Grants of up to £3,000 are available to help local businesses which have had to close during the four-week national lockdown, as we continue to support our local economy during the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. Read more >

Weyside Urban Village Proposals Nearing Completion

We are nearing completion of the outline proposals for our exciting riverside development in Guildford, to build approximately 1500 new homes on brownfield land at Slyfield. Read more >

Leave a message for loved ones on our memorial Christmas Trees

Guildford Crematorium invites families to write a message in memory of loved ones to be placed on their memorial Christmas trees from Wednesday 2 December. Read more >

Reducing anti-social behaviour and crime in Guildford Town Centre

Residents, visitors and those who work in the town will be able to enjoy Guildford more safely following an extension to our Guildford Town Centre Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO). Read more >

Games Festival goes global this weekend

Guildford Games Festival returns this weekend, Friday 13 and Saturday 14 November, as the 'Hollywood of Video Games' takes its line-up of legendary developers and titles to a global audience. Read more >

Guildford remembers - online

We thank everybody who watched our live ceremony, broadcast on our Facebook page on Sunday morning to commemorate Remembrance Sunday. Read more >

Watch our Service of Remembrance live on Facebook

Our Service of Remembrance, this Sunday at 11am, will be broadcast live on our Facebook page to allow all residents to commemorate with us. Read more >

Leader's Statement - lockdown 2.0

Cllr Joss Bigmore, Leader of the Council says: "From tomorrow we enter a second lockdown alongside the rest of England. It is now more important than ever that we continue to play our part to reduce the spread of the virus by following new government restrictions, to save lives and protect the NHS. Read more >

Care and Repair Team shortlisted for National Healthy Housing Awards

Our Care and Repair Team has been shortlisted for the National Healthy Housing Awards. Read more >

Re-housing homeless people with Next Steps Accommodation Programme

We are continuing our work to re-house and support homeless people in the borough by providing more accommodation for rough sleepers. Read more >

Guildford Innovation Awards 2020 now open

We celebrate inspiring innovation in our dynamic borough on Thursday 17 December as the 2020 Guildford Innovation Awards move online. Read more >

Meeting social housing needs in the borough

We have reviewed and updated our tenancy strategy including what tenancies we can offer. For some time, we have been able to grant 'flexible tenancies' a newer type of 'fixed-term' secure tenancy. Most of our current 'secure tenants' will not be affected. Read more >

Rodent pest control charges introduced from July 2021

Charges for rat and mice infestation treatments in the borough will be brought in line with other Surrey districts from July 2021 - but will remain free for residents who receive income benefits. Read more >

Supporting our borough's children and families over half term

Cllr Julia McShane, Lead Councillor for Community says: "This half term we are working in partnership with Foodwise TLC, a charity delivering food provision, training and education to local communities, to help prevent local children going hungry by providing meals to local families who need them. If you need any support or help, please get in touch with your school who will help you get referred. Read more >

Safety Marshals to help town centre visitors

New Coronavirus (Covid-19) measures, including Safety Marshals, will be introduced to our town centre from Saturday 31 October for four months. Read more >

Mayor of Guildford update

Leader of the Council, Cllr Joss Bigmore says "Thank you for your kind thoughts for our Mayor of Guildford, Cllr Richard Billington over the past few weeks. Read more >

Update on disabled parking bays in the town centre

Cllr Julia McShane, Lead Councillor for the Community, says: "After listening to residents', we have now decided to remove all temporary barriers blocking disabled parking spaces on the High Street. Read more >

Save money on energy bills with Green Jump Surrey

Residents can save money on their energy bills with a new 'Green Jump Surrey' grant. Read more >

Our Museum Takes over the Town!

Guildford Museum showcases a unique 'Town Take Over' initiative from Saturday 3 October connecting exciting objects in it's collection with historic locations across the town. Read more >

Lottery helps raise £100k for good causes in our borough!

Guildford Community Lottery celebrated a major milestone in its fundraising efforts for local good causes this week - and will give anybody who helps raise even more money by 31 October a chance to win a fantastic family forest staycation. Read more >

Our pawfect animal welfare work rewarded

We have retained our Bronze Animal Activity Licensing Award from the RSPCA PawPrints Awards for the second consecutive year. Read more >

Planned change of leadership

Councillor Caroline Reeves resigned as Leader of the Council at a meeting of the Executive last night. As the office of Leader is now vacant, under the terms of Article 6 of the Constitution, the Deputy Leader, Councillor Joss Bigmore will act as Leader and is entitled to exercise all functions reserved to the Leader until a new Leader is elected by the Council. Read more >

Improved pedestrian and cyclist paths providing safer, greener travel in Guildford

Residents, students and those on their way to work travelling from other areas of Guildford to the Royal Surrey County Hospital, Surrey Research Park and Surrey Sports Park can now enjoy a smoother, safer journey thanks to the completion of the next phase of improvements we have made working with Surrey County Council and Highways England. 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 >

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 >

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 >