Letter: If We Want Change We Must Engage With Our Councillors

Published on: 4 May, 2019
Updated on: 4 May, 2019

Angela Gunning

From Jan Messinger

In response to: Party Leaders Interviewed in the Wake of Dramatic Council Election

After being glued to hearing the results for our borough and delighted there could now be real change, I would just like to say I don’t think it is all about Brexit. Nor do I think it is all about Guildford borough’s Local Plan.

We all know the things that GBC do for residents the same as knowing what your parish councils do or Surrey County Council and if you don’t, have a look. Remind yourself who does what and who pays for what?

I think we all know what money has been wasted in our borough and I hope this does not carry on. As one of the leaders said in their interview listening to what residents want is important.

We have all the things constantly talked about – high business rates for town traders, young people not able to own a home in this borough because of the price. We also have litter everywhere, fly tipping and anti-social behaviour. People, generally, have demanding lives – trying to find work and family life with its range of needs, made difficult in this borough for a range of reasons.

Guildford Borough Council is responsible for local services, council tax, planning housing, environmental services, our parks and leisure our historic assets. The councillors we have elected are responsible for making decisions on behalf of the local community. So as a member of that community I urge everyone to go and seek out their councillors and talk about what you see will make Guildford better.

Don’t forget your councillors should not only do this but represent you in a number of other ways too, on other public bodies.

If you passionately believe the council should be looking at our waste collection or opening times of our tips and should be doing more do something about it speak to your councillors.

From the sounds of the interviews maybe Guildford councillors could be working together to make our borough as well as our town a better place to live in for all of us. I really hope so. I am looking forward to seeing what the future brings.