Council Estate Upgrade Programme Criticised as Premature by Opposition Councillors

Published on: 10 Dec, 2025
Updated on: 10 Dec, 2025

Some of Guildford’s 5,000+ council houses. Google

By Emily Dalton

local democracy reporter

Council homes across Guildford could be getting new kitchen and bathroom upgrades. Guildford Borough Council has approved £12.5 million to replace tired fixtures and appliances. But the decision has reopened wounds from the council’s past housing maintenance scandal.

The new plan means around 260 kitchens and 130 bathrooms a year will be upgraded between 2026 and 2032, helping homes meet the Government’s ‘Decent Homes Standard’. In other words, making sure people are not living with old, falling-apart stoves or showers.

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Despite hefty opposition, the recommendation for the contract was passed at a full Guildford Borough Council meeting on December 9.

Conservative group leader Philip Brooker

One of the loudest critics, Cllr Philip Brooker (Worplesdon), also leader of the Conservative group) warned the whole thing was “premature” and “pure guesswork”.

He reminded councillors of a previous, unresolved scandal, where the council overspent by around £18 million on maintenance work a few years ago, with thousands of jobs seemingly inadequately inspected (including kitchens and bathrooms) and an ongoing fraud investigation.

He made the point, how can the council know what needs fixing if it does not even know whether previous work was completed properly?

Cllr Maddy Redpath

Several councillors backed those concerns. Cllr Maddy Redpath (R4GV, Castle) said: “I just can’t back something that might repeat failure when we haven’t finished mopping up the last one.” She added, this was about people’s real homes and their daily lives.

Cllr Joss Bigmore

Her party leader, Cllr Joss Bigmore, said he agreed with the principle of the contract, but he had “no assurance” the council could deliver it safely. He added: “We’ve spent £45 million over two years, a few years ago. We’ve now had a scandal about doors – and yet we’re seeing a lot of words and a lot of improvement plans.”

Others said the decision should wait until a long-promised scrutiny report (of how much public money was wasted or not on the works) lands in January.

But Cllr George Potter (Lib Dem, Burpham) said delaying would be “an abdication of duty” to tenants, regardless of what has happened in the past.

Cllr Vanessa King (Lib Dem, Stoke) pointed to independent inspectors who said the council’s financial controls are now stronger, arguing: “We shouldn’t let perfection get in the way of progress.”

Cllr Julia McShane

Council Leader Cllr Julia McShane (Lib Dem, Westborough), also the lead councillor for Housing, said the bottom line was making sure residents have safe, decent homes even while admitting past mistakes.

To keep costs down, Guildford Borough Council and Waverley Borough Council have teamed to buy the work together, arguing it is cheaper and more reliable than going it alone. The contract would run for three years, with the option to extend twice.

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