Guildford Councillors React to News That SCC Have Chosen Woking

Published on: 1 Nov, 2019
Updated on: 4 Nov, 2019

Cllr Caroline Reeves

This evening, Guildford’s council leader seemed sanguine about SCC’s decision to move to Woking rather than Guildford. She said: “I think many will continue to think of Guildford as the county town.”

Cllr Caroline Reeves (Lib Dem, Friary & St Nicolas) did not give a direct answer to whether reports that an office share arrangement between GBC and SCC either at Millmead or another building had been considered, but said: “We would not make any key decision about our location without consulting all our members and officers.

“Surrey County Council has made it clear for some time that they wish to leave Kingston but the timeline they are working to would not allow us any time for consultation, let alone to find and refurbish a building.

“We already have a number of Surrey County Council Officers working with us at Millmead and I understand that will continue.

“I’m not sure that there’s a building large enough in the town to accommodate both Guildford and Surrey councils.”

Cllr Joss Bigmore

Joss Bigmore (Christchurch) leader of 16-strong Residents for Guildford and Villages Group added: “Guildford is the County Town of Surrey no matter where SCC choose to move.

He added, presumably because SCC had chosen a fellow Tory council’s town: “But as a council tax payer, over 75% of which goes to the county, rather than the borough, I would hope this decision is entirely economic rather than political.”

Cllr Susan Parker

Cllr Susan Parker (GGG, Send) was pleased with the news: “Guildford is congested enough.

“I’m not sure it was ever a sensible idea to propose SCC moving to Guildford, especially not without a public consultation to see if this was what our local population wanted.”

Other comments will be added as recieved. Please check back.

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