Borough Council Should Be Congratulated for Outstanding Floral Displays

Published on: 5 Jan, 2019
Updated on: 5 Jan, 2019

From Alan Cooper

In response to: Councils’ Costs Of Watering And Maintaining Flower Beds And Baskets Revealed

That figure appears to be reasonable for the number of troughs, baskets and beds, as they certainly were outstanding this year. Especially noticeable along Parkway around the entrance to Spectrum Leisure Centre where many visitors could not have failed to be impressed.

Many other areas caught the eye and they certainly brightened up the town and I think the council should be congratulated on them and also for the maintenance of Stoke Park as well.

It is not often I praise Guildford Borough Council, but in this instance, I believe that they deserve it.

Responses to Borough Council Should Be Congratulated for Outstanding Floral Displays

Martin Elliott Reply

January 5, 2019 at 11:04 am

I wonder, given the rapid approach of ‘silly season’ in local government, why the shared Local Democracy Reporter, felt this was an important subject to investigate, even down to FoI requests to all boroughs.

With the already announced local authority and police budget process well underway (SCC consultation ended January 4), the public is already really confused, despite best efforts, as to which authority is responsible for what services.

This isn’t helped by the number of semi-professional, double-hatted politicians serving as councillors in both borough or district and county councils such as Matt Furniss and Graham Ellwood and now SCC leader, Tim Oliver [It has been reported that Cllr Oliver has resigned as leader of Elmbridge Borough Council and will not stand for re-election in May. Ed].

Maybe some political groups have got it right? In order to increase efficiency and cut costs instead of cutting services, reducing levels of government are a solution in Surrey, as elsewhere, with ‘Unitary’ authorities. Whether just one for Surrey or 3 to 4 super-districts I don’t know, though to me the former seems most sensible.
Susan Chadwick Reply

January 5, 2019 at 12:00 pm

Can’t disagree. The displays are lovely. But I’d prefer my council tax to go towards providing facilities for the growing numbers of homeless people on the streets of Guildford.
Russell Morris Reply

January 6, 2019 at 7:19 am

The council should be endeavouring to meet all the community needs of its residents. The homeless on the streets are an important concern. But so are the needs of those without their own garden to enjoy, the lonely elderly who might only get to chat to others while sitting on a bench in the Castle Grounds, workers who need to relax during their lunch break, children who might learn that there are dimensions to life apart from game consoles, the depressed who might be cheered by the sight of the floral displays.

Let a proportion of Ms Chadwick’s council tax go to help the homeless. A proportion of mine too. But, the users of the parks and gardens of Guildford are also owed their share of the limited resources.
John Perkins Reply

January 7, 2019 at 9:34 am

It’s important for people to like where they live and for that some beauty is necessary. Flowers are a pleasure to look at and the council deserve some praise.