Single Surrey Unitary Authority Ruled Out – Choice Remains: Two, Three or Even Four

By Emily Dalton local democracy reporter Council leaders across Surrey have ruled out making the county a single mega authority. The agreement was reached during a meeting on February 7, attended by leaders from all eleven district and borough councils. The decision means that only bids for…
North Street Redevelopment Moves Forward with Demolition Work
By Stella Kuchanny The long-planned redevelopment of North Street in Guildford has entered a key phase, with demolition work underway. The project, led by St Edward, a joint venture between the Berkeley Group and M&G Investments, aims to transform the area with new housing, improved public spaces,…
Council Leader Says ‘Devolution’ Should Not Mean Redistributing Debts
By Chris Caulfield local democracy reporter Taxpayers in prudent councils must not be forced to bear the crushing burden of their debt-laden neighbours when the biggest shake-up of local government for 50 years merges authorities in Surrey, say leaders across the political divide. On February 5, Deputy…
Updated: New Chester Bridge Opens But Some Ash Residents Express Frustration
By David Reading Things didn’t go entirely to plan on Day One of the new Ash road bridge. The bridge opened, as planned, at 7am on Saturday. Very soon, a trickle of traffic was venturing over the new structure. So far so good. But after a few…
Budget Challenges Continue at GBC Especially in the Longer Term
By Emily Dalton local democracy reporter A Surrey council may have “kept the lights on” and balanced the budget this year but trouble could still be looming. The pessimistic warning came during the budget meeting as councillors were told they will have to make tough decisions in…
Contractor Declines to Attend Council Meeting and Account for Woking Hilton Hotel Fiasco
By Chris Caulfield local democracy reporter The firm behind the Woking Hilton Hotel cladding fiasco should “be blacklisted” and councils warned against working with them in the future, senior councillors have said. The chaotic issues at the Victoria Way site began in 2021 when panels fell from…
SCC Conservatives Rail Against Proposal to Ask Highest Council Tax Payers to Pay More
By Emily Dalton local democracy reporter Plans for “those with the broadest shoulders” to voluntarily pay more council tax to help those in need have been labelled “morally corrupt” in a heated debate. The idea is based on a scheme introduced by Westminster Council in 2018, dubbed…
GBC Announces Opening of New Ash Road Bridge – Plus Major Diversions
By David Reading The new Chester Bridge over the railway line in Ash will be opened to traffic this Saturday, February 8. The opening will be followed two days later by Phase Five of the bridge project – in which part of Ash Church Road will be…
Police Precept to Increase
By Emily Dalton local democracy reporter Surrey Police’s share of council tax bills will leap over £335 a year for the average Band D households. Lisa Townsend, Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) said the 4.3 per cent increase was needed to “maintain the level of service”. …
The Law Catches Up with Burglar Deported from Australia

A burglar who was wanted for 48 burglaries across 13 counties in the UK, has been sentenced to five years in…
Developers Soon To Release Homes For Sale in Ripley Development

By David Reading The Allium Park housing development of more than 500 homes in Ripley is now well under way, with…
Zero Leaves Guildford High Street as Bensons for Beds Moves In

By Stella Kuchanny Guildford High Street is set for another change as Zero Carbon Guildford vacates its premises at No. 168,…
Rail Disruptions Ahead: Portsmouth Area to See One-Week Closure for Engineering Works

Rail passengers travelling between Portsmouth, Havant and Fareham should prepare for disruptions next week as Network Rail carries out vital engineering…
Report on Woking Bankruptcy Anticipated – Former CEO Expects To Be Named

By Chris Caulfield local democracy reporter An investigation into two former senior officers at bankrupt Woking Borough Council is expected to…
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