Latest news

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

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 >

Leader Statement - Our High Street Springs Back to Life After Lockdown

As we reach the end of a milestone week with restrictions easing and our non-essential retail shops opening their doors for the first time in three months - I'd like to thank you all again for your continued support and for playing you part by following the government guidance. Read more >

Covid impact means difficult decisions to be made

The impact of the current Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak has put significant financial pressure on the Council as it works hard to provide new, and maintain existing, frontline services for the borough. A £15 million emergency fund was agreed by Full Council in May in anticipation and next week on 23 June at a meeting of the Executive, councillors will make a decision on whether to continue with four existing corporate projects. Read more >

Walnut Bridge construction underway to improve access to town centre for pedestrians and cyclists

A new wider bridge across the River Wey and a landscaped plaza will offer an improved route into the town centre for pedestrians and cyclists. The £5.01 million investment in Guildford town centre will be a safer alternative to the crowded pavements of Bridge Street for residents, commuters and visitors. Read more >

New procurement Strategy set to achieve over £1.2million savings annually from 2022s

The Council has agreed to adopt a new procurement strategy 2020-23, to enable the Council to achieve significant savings while also procuring goods, works and services more effectively. Read more >

#iSupportGuildford - collaboration to support our High Street and welcome residents back to the town centre

We are working with Experience Guildford, our Business Improvement District, to support businesses and retailers and put new safety measures in place ready to welcome residents and visitors back to the town centre. Read more >

Collecting Covid-19 memories - be part of history and share your story with Guildford Museum

The global events of the past few months have affected everybody in our community. Lockdown, social distancing and home have become part of our daily lives. Guildford Museum wants to capture your memories of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic to create a record for future generations to understand how and why our lives changed in 2020. Read more >

Council scrutinises its response to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak

The decisions and plans made over the past three months as part of the Council's response to the current pandemic were reviewed at a meeting of the Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee last week. Read more >

Councillor Patrick Sheard

It is with great sadness that we report the death of Councillor Patrick Sheard, ward councillor for Send. Patrick passed away on Friday 5 June. Read more >

More help for Guildford businesses - apply now for a discretionary grant

Has your business suffered financially due to the impact of the coronavirus? There is now help available for local businesses who did not qualify for earlier government financial support. Guildford Borough Council has launched a Discretionary Grants scheme which will offer grants of up to £25,000 - but you need to act fast. Applications are now open and will close at 6pm on Monday 15 June. Read more >

Share your views to shape sustainable development in our borough from 3 June

Sustainable development, protecting natural habitats, supporting the rural economy and high-quality design across the borough are at the heart of Guildford's preferred approach to the second part of its Local Plan. Read more >

Leader statement: please play your part - take litter home

Councillor Caroline Reeves, Leader of the Council says: "Thank you to our residents who have carefully followed the government guidance, playing their part since March and stayed home to protect our NHS staff in order to save lives. Thanks to you all, we are now moving into the next phase of lockdown where we are able to spend as much time as we like outdoors, shops are beginning to open and we can meet up to six others from outside our household, while keeping two metres apart. Shielded and more vulnerable people can also now go outside. Read more >

Town centre car parks remain free in June

All Council-owned car parks in Guildford town centre will remain free of charge throughout June, as some shops and businesses start to re-open in line with new government guidance. Read more >

Surrey's first dedicated swift tower installed on Shalford Common

Surrey's first dedicated swift nesting tower has been erected on Shalford Common to protect one of Britain's most remarkable and endangered bird species who frequently choose to nest there. Read more >

Mayoral Charity Coronavirus Response Fund for 2020-21

This year, the Mayor of Guildford, Cllr Richard Billington has chosen to support the Coronavirus Response Fund as his Mayoral charity, alongside the Mayor of Guildford's Local Support Fund (formerly known as the Mayor of Guildford's Local Distress Fund). Read more >

Future of Guildford Park Car Park to be decided

The future of Guildford Park Car Park will be reviewed after proposals were approved by the Council's Executive on Tuesday (26 May). Read more >

More water bottle refilling stations installed across the borough

Six new bottle refilling stations will be installed in Guildford during May and June as part of the Council's commitment to eliminating single-use plastic containers. Read more >

More free family fun and fundraising at Guildford Live II

We are proud to support the borough's second free family-friendly variety performance, dedicated to our NHS staff and keyworkers, by Guildford Fringe Theatre which takes place on Thursday 28 May at 6.30pm live on Facebook. Read more >

Aspire grant helps fire-hit businesses in Effingham to open new pop-up community store

Effingham has a new community store, thanks to the support of Guildford Borough Council, Effingham Parish Council and the hard work and quick thinking of local residents and churches. Read more >

Coronavirus (Covid-19) Leader Statement: Thank you to our residents

Following the government's change to the Coronavirus guidance this week, Leader of the Council, Cllr Caroline Reeves made the following statement: 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 >