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GBC’s Plan For a Thriving Guildford ‘Is Our Promise to Residents’ Says Council Leader
Published on: 15 Jun, 2025
Updated on: 15 Jun, 2025
Guildford Borough Council has launched its first, formal Corporate Delivery Plan with the objective, it says, of improving the lives of residents, supporting local businesses and protecting the environment.
The council says the plan – which includes investment in council homes – will have measurable outcomes enabling residents to hold it to account.
The plan reiterates the Lib Dem election campaign promise of a “a greener, fairer, thriving Guildford” and outlines a series of initiatives for 2025-26.
These include:
- A new nature reserve at Burpham Court Farm to “boost biodiversity and community wellbeing”
- £5.5m investment in council home kitchens and bathrooms
- Continued delivery of services like community meals
- Working with Surrey councils on local government reorganisation
The council says: “The Delivery Plan sets out clear actions and measurable outcomes, enabling residents and businesses to hold the council to account with progress being tracked through biannual updates to councillors.”
Cllr Julia McShane
Julia McShane (Lib Dem, Westborough), leader of the council, said: “This plan is about turning vision into reality. We’re delivering real change, whether that’s tackling climate change, supporting our most vulnerable residents, or preparing for the future of local government in Surrey.”
The council says: “Though this is the first formal delivery plan, the council has already made significant strides since adopting its strategy in July 2024.”
The council says past highlights include:
- 13 per cent reduction in carbon emissions since 2019
- The new Chester Bridge in Ash
- Expanded food waste recycling to 1,500-plus flats
- Award-winning animal welfare recognised by the RSPCA
- Restoration of Guildford House, preserving local heritage
The GBC statement continues: “With a £16.5 million General Fund and a £45 million Housing Revenue Account, the council is committed to delivering value for money while maintaining high-quality services. Regular budget monitoring ensures transparency and accountability.”
Cllr McShane said: “This plan is our promise to residents. We’re not just planning, we’re delivering. And we’re doing it with purpose, passion, and pride. The Delivery Plan is not just a document, it’s a shared commitment to building a greener, fairer, thriving Guildford for everyone. A better place to live, work and do business.”
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Responses to GBC’s Plan For a Thriving Guildford ‘Is Our Promise to Residents’ Says Council Leader
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John Ferns
June 15, 2025 at 8:50 pm
The vision for a thriving community is welcome, but real progress must begin with enforcing and implementing what has already been approved, not just focusing on future promises without addressing longstanding failures in enforcing s106 commitments on existing plans.
Such aspirations risk being seen as empty rhetoric rather than a genuine commitment to the community.
Anna Windebank
June 17, 2025 at 10:15 am
I’m in total agreement with John Ferns.
But also, please, please, I urge councillors to please do everything in their power to bring a department store back to Guildford. If they have to grovel to, or threaten Fenwick, please do!
To have lost two department stores is a sign of a greater malaise, which should be halted… and fast.
Richard Benson
June 17, 2025 at 1:01 pm
Cllr McShane has been promising jam tomorrow for far too long.
Trust starts with those in power delivering what they promise…
Trust starts with being open & transparent with TheGuildford Dragon…
Trust starts with accounting for “every single penny” of the HRA suspected fraud scandal…
Trust starts with being truthful about the real cost of the Guildford/Waverley merger…
Trust starts with revealing the true cost of the Ash Bridge project…
And so on …
Roland Dunster
June 17, 2025 at 2:24 pm
Although I strongly feel that the protection of the Green Belt should have been included, the four points stated seem sensible enough.
However, as a resident who voluntarily clears litter daily, only to discover the same areas covered again the following day, I would be grateful if GBC would truly show and apply some purpose, passion, and pride to eradicate the appalling litter, graffiti and fly-tipping that shamefully blight and pollute every corner and environment of the borough.
Simply by opening one’s eyes, stepping outside and walking, cycling or driving in any direction now proves that only the full, overt and regular enforcement of laws and fines (in partnership with an authority support provider if need be), will prevent these, presently, consequence-free behaviours and crimes.
Just as GBC, rightly, states that new nature reserves “boost biodiversity and community wellbeing”, the importance of a clean and beautiful daily-life living environment is essential for wellbeing. This too should be a core principle and objective of GBC and any authority.
Frank Emery
June 18, 2025 at 12:18 pm
Totally agree with Richard Benson. Perhaps The Guildford Dragon could list all of the issues that have left us all frustrated.
I’m sure we would all like to know what happened to the previous plans and the miss appropriation of funds.
Unfortunately, Guildford as a thriving town seems but a pipe dream, all that’s thriving are coffee shops, Turkish barbers and not a lot else!
Jeremy Holt
June 19, 2025 at 10:17 am
I assume that if all these promises are not met Cllr McShane and her Executive colleagues will all resign and not stand for re-election.
Oh, wait a minute; they will not be GBC councillors anyway at the end of 2025-2026.
So empty promises then.