MP Richardson’s Sudden ‘Guildford Forum’ Plan Meets Mixed Reception

Published on: 31 Jul, 2020
Updated on: 31 Jul, 2020

By Martin Giles

Angela Richardson, MP

A plan by Guildford’s Tory MP Angela Richardson to set up a forum to give “a voice for residents and businesses” has met a mixed reception at the borough council.

Council leader Caroline Reeves (Lib Dem, Friary & St Nicolas) said: “There was no consultation before this announcement which is unfortunate… Honestly, I’m not sure how another forum will be beneficial.”

GBC leader-in-waiting Joss Bigmore (R4GV, Christchurch) said: “We have the Town Centre Masterplan in hand. We welcome our MP’s support but not if it is a vehicle for self-.promotion.”

But Cllr Paul Spooner (Con ‘ind’, South Ash & Tongham) welcomed the plan and SCC councillor Matt Furniss, cabinet member for Transport, was effusive. “The Guildford Forum is a great way for local residents and businesses to have a say in the regeneration of Guildford town centre. We look forward to joining in with discussions and working constructively with Angela Richardson on this.”

And support came too from Bill Stokoe, chair of the Guildford Vision Group which, under John Rigg, now a R4GV borough councillor, was the first to promote a masterplan for Guildford. Mr Stokoe said: “The forum is a great initiative… The support of our MP will be invaluable…”

In a press release, Ms Richardson said: “In my maiden speech back in February, I called for a Town Centre Master Plan and I welcome the decision by Guildford Borough Council to set up a Guildford Economic Regeneration Programme Masterplan Board and to appoint an external specialist adviser to build on the work done in the Town Centre Masterplan by the Conservative administration.

“As part of this process, I feel it is important that stakeholders in Guildford Town Centre and surrounds have an opportunity by which they can discuss and feed into the Town Regeneration process, in addition to the public consultation process held by Guildford Borough Council.

“These stakeholders include businesses, residents and environmental groups and those who have been looking at the need for a Masterplan for many years such as Guildford Vision Group.

“Big and bold decisions need to be taken to ensure the future economic vitality and competitiveness of Guildford. The pandemic has only shone a spotlight on an issue that has long needed addressing. Therefore, I am announcing a new Guildford Forum to bring together all these partners in regenerating, protecting and improving our vibrant town centre.

“The first meeting to be held either virtually or physically as government guidance allows in September, and thereafter to be held quarterly. Further details of date and time to be published.”

Council Leader Caroline Reeves

Cllr Reeves said: “The most pressing issue is how, as a whole community, we can best respond to the Covid pandemic situation, its impacts on us plus how we recover, and how we support our residents and businesses.

“Guildford Borough Council’s finances are very different now to what they were in February due to the amount we spent supporting our community through the crisis which has not been fully reimbursed by the government. As a result, we will need to reassess many areas of our responsibilities.”

Asked how the Guildford Forum would fit together with GBC and SCC? Cllr Reeves added: “The GBC team are already working on the Guildford Economic Regeneration Plan and we have made it clear this will involve wide consultation throughout.

“Honestly, I’m not sure how another forum will be beneficial. It would have been more helpful to have had a conversation before this announcement, after all, Ms RIchardson and GBC councillors alike are elected by residents to act together in their best interests.”

Cllr Joss Bigmore

Cllr Bigmore said: “This is the first I’ve heard of this ‘Guildford Forum’. The fact that Angela Richardson thinks we would undertake a Town Centre Masterplan without consulting the residents and stakeholders both formally and informally throughout the process, highlights the fact she should have spoken to us before. It makes her look ill-informed.

“I never cease to be amazed at the ability of politicians to try to rewrite history. Cllr John Rigg, as GVG [Guildford Vision Group] chair, started his Masterplan campaign in 2011 with extensive stakeholder engagement. Successive Conservative administrations ignored his work, preferring instead to put housing in less sustainable green belt locations.

“R4GV campaigned last year on a manifesto to produce and deliver a Masterplan, winning 88% of the seats, all from the Conservatives. This is a clumsy attempt by our MP to take the work and successes of others and rebrand it as her own.

“As one political newbie to another, I advise Ms Richardson to assist where it is necessary. There are plenty of areas we are desperate for her help. Can she find out why Highways England have kicked the A3 improvements into the long grass? Or maybe she should get residents’ views on the proposal for a huge single unitary authority for Surrey before she dutifully supports the SCC’s ugly power grab?

“She should talk to us directly rather than via the press. Politicking is tiring and best avoided when there is so much proper work to be done.”

Cllr Paul Spooner

Cllr Spooner, who led the recent breakaway from the official Conservative Group at GBC, said: “I welcome any initiative to progress regeneration and master planning in Guildford, along with maintaining economic vitality for the town centre and the wider Borough.

“Ms Richardson did advise me many months ago that she wished to create a Town Centre forum, and it is disappointing, given the need for funding from central government, that no Conservative councillor at GBC has been appointed to the Guildford Economic Regeneration Programme Masterplan Board, given the extensive work by the previous administration.

“For me, the most pressing need is to agree priorities and address funding gaps to deliver any plan. That will inevitably require agreement at ministerial level. Having our MP at the forefront has to be welcomed.”

Alastair Smith, chair of The Guildford Society, also welcomed the proposal but highlighted a need to clarify roles. He said: “Guildford Society supports the development of a Guildford Economic Regeneration Programme Masterplan Strategy. Stage 1 includes developing ‘a stakeholder matrix and an initial programme of consultation with stakeholder groups’.

“The forum as proposed by Ms Richardson is useful. It is unclear if the role of the forum, versus the consultation process that is part of the GBC Masterplan Strategy, has been agreed. This is essential, to avoid duplication and confusion.

“Our MP has a critical role in ensuring infrastructure spending to support Guildford town and the wider borough is agreed with central government and delivered and must be integrated into the Masterplan Strategy development process.

“A key issue is that public attitudes to working from home, shopping, commuting, use of town centres etc. are evolving rapidly; the Guildford Society believes early engagement with the public and other stakeholders in the Masterplan Strategy, is required.”

Bill Stokoe

GVG chair Bill Stokoe added: “The town centre lacks a voice. The forum is a great initiative, alongside the present TCMP [Town Centre Master Plan] progress; see last week’s GBC Executive’s decision.

“The support of our MP will be invaluable, particularly when it comes to the inevitable infrastructure funding requirements. I welcome the progress in addressing the pressing needs of our town centre. GVG’s town centre priorities remain wider pedestrianisation, opening up of riverside, tackling the gyratory, including congestion and more town centre, ie brownfield, housing

“Lockdown has re-emphasised the need to address these issues, alongside a compelling vision for our town centre.”

Angela Richardson is inviting organisations who would like to take part to contact her by email at: angela.richardson.mp@parliament.uk.

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