Letter: We Are Well Aware of The Ward Boundaries and Will Try to Help

Published on: 30 Jul, 2016
Updated on: 30 Jul, 2016

Westborough Stoughton boundary

From Fiona White

Lib Dem county councillor for Guildford West

I would like to reply to the points made by Brian Holt in his letter: Some Areas of Stoughton Seem To Be in No Man’s Land.

First, can I reassure Brian that, as a former Stoughton and Westborough ward borough councillor, I do know where Stoughton Rec is. It is also well within the boundaries of my county council area.

I have spent quite a lot of time talking to people whose houses are on the boundary of the Rec. Also, I know that Wayne McShane who is the chairman of the Park Barn & Westborough Community Association, where Brian is a member, has visited the Rec to look at the equipment. Wayne reported back to the association that he was unhappy about the state of the Rec.

I have a lot of sympathy with Brian’s comments about the lack of investment in Stoughton Rec. It does seem that parks in other parts of Guildford Town benefit from more attention both to updating the equipment and upkeep.

Stoughton Rec is in a busy residential area with good access for a lot of people to bring their children. In these days when we are told children should be encouraged to play outdoors, it is a shame that such an obvious open space is being neglected.

I was hopeful that Project Aspire would include improving the area for local people but it looks as though I am going to be disappointed.

At one of the first Aspire meetings, I did suggest to the borough council’s Parks Department that they should follow the example of other borough councils in Surrey and work with local residents to put in a bid to the county council’s Community Improvement Fund for better equipment and updating Stoughton Rec, but I was told that they don’t have the resources to do that.

I am sorry that Brian feels that some of his councillors don’t know where the Rec is. I can assure him that Cllr Julia McShane, one of the three ward councillors for Westborough (whose husband chairs the Community Association) and I, as the local county councillor, not only know where the Rec is but have visited it on many occasions.

We will do whatever we can to support local residents in getting it brought up to the same high standard as other parts of Guildford.

Responses to Letter: We Are Well Aware of The Ward Boundaries and Will Try to Help

Pauline Searle Reply

July 31, 2016 at 3:25 pm

I agree with all that Fiona White has said and can I add, as Stoughton councillor for 17 years and County Councillor for Guildford North, I know every inch of my ward and division and I am passionate about my area and take an interest in everything that happens in it.

It was the Boundary Commission who decided the changes to ward boundaries, it was not a decision of local councillors. At that time I was very involved in planning the last update of the play area and ball park which has been a well used asset to the community, but I do agree it is certainly time for the park to be improved.
Brian Holt Reply

August 1, 2016 at 1:10 pm

In reply to Fiona White, yes I know that both Cllr Julia McShane, and herself know where Stoughton Rec is, but I did clearly say some councillors and was referring to the other two Conservative councillors for the Westborough Ward.

Also when Wayne McShane, chairman of Park Barn & Westborough Community Association, visited the rec I was one of the two other people with him.

I would like to say thank you to Cllr White for offering to come and meet us.