Guildford Borough Council Executive Team 2015-2019

22/05/2019

A new Executive is now in place under Council Leader (Lib Dem) Caroline Reeves. No place was offered to experienced former Exec members from the Conservative Group but R4GV Leader (new Councillor) and GGG Leader are now on the new Exec. The new Exec has 9 out of 10 Councillors from the town with one representative from the East of the Borough. There are no representatives from the West of the Borough at all. We are pleased that the new Council Leader has confirmed that our Corporate Plan will continue to be the framework for Council policy making and Conservative members will support policy aligned to the current plan. We will look at other policy on a case by case basis on merit. We remain committed to ALL residents of the whole Borough.

14/05/2019

Selection Full Council at Guildford BC will decide on a new Leader of the Council tomorrow Wednesday 15th May. The new Leader will then appoint a Deputy Leader and up to 8 other Councillors to form a new Executive, also referred to as a Cabinet.

Previous Conservative Leader and Executive members re-elected on May 2nd include Paul Spooner, Nigel Manning, Gordon Jackson, Richard Billington and David Bilbe. Deputy Lead Member Jo Randall and Planning Chairman Marsha Moseley were also re-elected.

Will our extensive experience be called upon by the new Leader? We await with interest.

01/05/2019

Guildford succeeds under Guildford Conservatives, Vote Conservative 2nd May.

From housing to recycling, infrastructure to meals on wheels, Guildford Borough Council Conservatives have carefully managed the finances of Guildford to deliver excellent and wide ranging services for all.

Guildford Borough Conservative Councillors have taken robust and forward thinking decisions to tackle the challenges in Guildford and to improve the lives of local residents.

Councillor Paul Spooner, Leader of Guildford Borough Council says: “We have put together a selection of over 80 achievements that we have delivered for Guildford residents over the past term. This is in addition to the day-to-day services we provide, all for only 10% of our council tax bill.

Guildford Conservatives promise to deliver yet more in the next term and thank residents for all their help in achieving so much in the local community.”

A full copy of the achievements can be downloaded fromhttps://www.guildfordconservatives.com/sites/www.guildfordconservatives.com/files/2019-04/Conservative%20Group%20achievements%204.19.pdf

22/04/2019

Guildford in Bloom Competition blasts off for 2019

Guildford in Bloom, the borough's favourite horticultural celebration is open for entries. The free competition is open to everyone, of all ages, living and working in Guildford and closes on 16 June. This year we showcase a lunar theme to mark the 50th Anniversary of the first Moon landing and launch a new category: ‘Best Site for Nature Conservation’.

The annual initiative brings together community groups, businesses, schools and residents to promote creative plant cultivation to naturally enhance the borough. Now in its 38th year, it champions health, well-being and collaboration while blending the Council's corporate priorities of community, place making and innovation.

The nine categories are:

1. Best Front Garden
2. Best Allotment and Vegetable/Kitchen Gardens
3. Best Garden for Wildlife
4. Best Site for Nature Conservation
5. Best Pub in Bloom
6. Best Container Garden
7. Best Neighbourhood Project
8. Student Garden Showcase
9. Best School in Bloom*

Cllr Paul Spooner, Leader of the Council and Council Candidate says: ‘It doesn’t matter how big or small your garden is or how perfectly maintained or wild it is. Guildford in Bloom is focussed on working together and taking part in a fun, healthy activity.
We’re delighted to launch our new category for 2019, ‘Best site for Nature Conservation’, which is suited to larger areas of private or public land where the aim is to protect and conserve wildlife habitats and species population.’

He adds: ‘Entrants can choose to theme their gardens, allotments or garden projects. This year we are celebrating the ‘50th Anniversary of the first Moon landing’ and the theme for schools is ‘the colours of summer’. With kind thanks to our premium sponsors Chapter Financial and Allianz.’

We continue to promote entries from young gardeners. ‘Student Garden Showcase’ is open to all senior school, further and higher education students. The garden, allotment or horticultural project can be located on the educational premises or elsewhere in the borough of Guildford. Students are encouraged to design, create and maintain a garden, allotment/vegetable plot or project of their choice. Judges will be looking for good design, plant quality, diversity, sustainability, organic management and overall impression and extra points will be awarded for innovative design or feature.

How to enter:
- Choose a category – you can enter only one category per site/address
- Complete the online form at www.guildford.gov.uk/guildfordinbloom
- Application forms can also be collected from the Tourist Information Office in Guildford High Street
- Post entries to Guildford Borough Council, Parks & Leisure Services, Stoke Park Nursery, Nightingale Road, Guildford GU1 1ER
- Or email to [email protected]

*Best School in Bloom launched earlier in the year and closes on 24 May 2019.

20/04/2019

The Guildford Lottery hits a new milestone

The Guildford Community Lottery hit a new benchmark this week as the 100th local good cause signed up to raise funds.

The weekly lottery has been a huge success since it started in December, with over 1,700 weekly tickets being purchased, generating an expected £53,000 for good causes this year alone.

Cllr Paul Spooner, Leader of the Council and Council Candidate says:

“The Guildford Community Lottery has been a real success and we are really happy to see all of these local good causes benefitting. Local charities, community groups, sports and arts clubs, schools, scouts and guides are all getting involved. It’s a really great way for local causes to raise money and engage their members and supporters”.

To mark the recent milestone, anyone registering to play the lottery to support their chosen good cause by Saturday 11 May will be entered into a draw for a free family ticket to the Surrey County Show, as well as being in with a chance of winning £25,000 in the weekly draws.

If you want to learn more about how to register a local good cause or how to buy tickets, please visit:

Guildford Community Lottery - a fun and easy way to support good causes in Guildford!

19/04/2019

Extra funding for home adaptations

More help for home adaptations that support vulnerable residents to stay living safely and independently in their own homes will be considered at a meeting of the Executive on 23 April.

The new funding will also support those residents to move to an alternative home that may better meet their needs, fix health hazards in the home and help those being discharged from hospital to return to a suitably adapted home more quickly.

Cllr Philip Brooker says: "This new funding policy will enable us to offer more support to those who need it most
We will be able to act more quickly to make much needed housing adaptions, such as hand rails, stairlifts and more, for those recently discharged from hospital or those who wish to remain in their own homes but need some extra help to make it easier for them to stay there."

In 2018/19 the Council awarded £515,000 in grant funding for housing adaptations and this is estimated to increase to £707,000 in 2019/20. We consulted widely with people who use our services, Surrey County Council's Occupational Therapy team and other local partners to develop the new policy and best meet the needs of elderly and vulnerable residents.

The new policy will mean that:

- home adaptations that help prevent falls (rails, ramps, steps and stairlifts) will not be means-tested
- a new Prevention Grant will be introduced for minor repairs and adaptations that will help those recently discharged from hospital. This will also include works that can help prevent ill health and funding for emergencies, for example, emergency heating
- the maximum grant is being increased to £45,000
- client contributions below £1,000 will be waived.

The policy reinforces one of the Council's key aims to support older, more vulnerable and less advantaged people in our borough. To find out more about the support available, visit

Find out about adapted housing.

16/04/2019

Guildford succeeds under Guildford Conservatives

From housing to recycling, infrastructure to meals on wheels, Guildford Borough Council Conservatives have carefully managed the finances of Guildford to deliver excellent and wide ranging services for all.

Guildford Borough Conservative Councillors have taken robust and forward thinking decisions to tackle the challenges in Guildford and to improve the lives of local residents.

Councillor Paul Spooner, Leader of Guildford Borough Council and Council Candidate says: “We have put together a selection of over 80 achievements that we have delivered for Guildford residents over the past term. This is in addition to the day-to-day services we provide, all for only 10% of our council tax bill.

Guildford Conservatives promise to deliver yet more in the next term and thank residents for all their help in achieving so much in the local community.”

A full copy of the achievements can be downloaded fromhttps://www.guildfordconservatives.com/sites/www.guildfordconservatives.com/files/2019-04/Conservative%20Group%20achievements%204.19.pdf

16/04/2019

Guildford Borough Conservatives work hard to deliver for those most in need. 36,500 community meals every year to our residents!

Guildford Borough Council delivers more than 35,000 community meals each year to those residents who need them most.

29/03/2019

All Guildford taxis to take card payments from 1 April

Paying for your taxi journey in Guildford will be easier from 1 April. From this date all Guildford licensed taxis must have a card payment device and accept payments by credit and debit card. Contactless payments will be available and drivers will print a receipt to show you have paid.

Cllr Graham Ellwood, Lead Councillor for Licensing, Environmental Health and Community Safety, said: “We have made these changes to our licensed taxi service to make payments easier and more convenient for all and to improve safety for drivers by removing the need for them to carry large amounts of cash.

“This new payment option adds to our work with the trade making positive changes to protect public safety. We have introduced a livery for taxis, door signs for private hire vehicles and the requirement for drivers to complete a BTEC qualification.”

The policy was introduced in February last year, and is a mandatory requirement from 1 April. Passengers will still be able to pay with cash if they prefer.

28/03/2019

Replacement of Guildford Spectrum Leisure Centre

The Executive agreed to invest in a detailed business case into building a new facility to replace Guildford Spectrum at their meeting on 19 March.

Guildford Spectrum is a popular venue used by local residents, sports clubs and regional visitors – with around 1.7 million visits each year.

However, the building has had issues since first built and changing times and customer demands means the site needs to be assessed to establish between two options for the future – whether to build a new replacement facility or refurbish the current site.

The Executive discussed the options presented to them, agreeing that a new build is the more effective option with potentially less disruption – as the current site will remain open while a new one is built – as well as providing the opportunity to meet the changing needs of the public and sports groups alike.

Cllr Iseult Roche, Lead Councillor for Community Health, Wellbeing & Project Aspire, said: “Guildford Spectrum makes a significant contribution to our community and continues to be a popular choice for residents in Guildford – with many sports clubs and groups regularly using the site. The project to replace this venue is aimed at building on its success and will take a number of years to deliver.

“We can now move onto the next stage where a detailed business case will be developed as well as consultation process which will include an opportunity for the whole community to give their views to develop a new, technologically advanced, exciting venue that our community can be proud of.”

27/03/2019

Dogbusters is our new service for lost and stray dogs.

Graham Ellwood, Lead Councillor for Licensing & Community Safety says:

This is necessary partly because our dog warden is now fully employed implementing the 2018 Animal Welfare Act which brings many new areas into legislation including breeders and professional dog walkers for example.

We would like to thank Treetops our previous provider for all their cooperation and good service.

Treetops are not continuing partly because of a serious incident they experienced recently with people who refused to accept that their dog wasn’t at their Kennels (Police were involved).

Dogbusters have been vetted to the highest standard by GBC as Treetops replacement on a 7 day 24 hr basis.

Their contact details and charges are on our website (they return the dog to the owner).

They do not provide their address to avoid any repetition of the above and a mobile only because of the 24 hour nature of the service. The costs reflect the 24/7 service they provide and high standard of care.

Dogs not reclaimed will be rehoused and no animal will be put down.

Any operational queries can be directed to GBC’s Regulatory Services Manager [email protected]

27/03/2019

Wider community use for Guildford Sportsground

Guildford Sportsground, located on Woodbridge Road, will see greater community use thanks to a new management company that Guildford Borough Council will set up with Surrey County Cricket Club and Guildford Cricket Club to manage the site. The Council is a trustee for the Guildford Sportsground and the decision was taken at a meeting of the Council's Executive (19 March).

Cllr David Bilbe, Lead Cllr for Enterprise and Economic Development says: "Setting up a management company to operate Guildford Sportsground will help us meet our aim of increasing community use of all the facilities, including the recently refurbished Pavilion. It will also help save council taxpayers money as we aim to make the operation self-sustaining in the future. One of our key priorities as a Council is to improve sporting, community and recreational facilities and to encourage more people to take part in sport. The facilities at Guildford Sportsground will be open to all to hire for sporting activities and events."

The aims of the new management company will be to:
- support greater community use of the sportsground and its facilities
- use the site for the playing and promotion of cricket
- operate the pavilion and grounds for sports, events and social activities.

Cllr Bilbe adds: “There is a long history of high quality cricket on this important site and this will continue alongside the wider community and social use.”

For more information about the Executive meeting on 19 March - or to watch the debate via our online webcast - please visit www.guildford.gov.uk/article/16717/Councillors-and-Decision-Making