Conservative Claims on Use of CIL Payments ‘Political Theatre’ Say Lib Dems
By Martin Giles Conservative councillors at Waverley Borough Council (WBC) are demanding answers from the council’s Liberal Democrat-led Executive over the use of the estimated £2.9 million of interest income generated from unspent Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and Section 106 (s106) funds over the past five years.…
Thames Water Faces £122 Million Penalty Following Ofwat Inquiry
By David Reading and Martin Giles Thames Water has been fined more than £122 million by regulator Ofwat following an investigation into its operations. The water industry regulator imposed the penalty – the largest it has ever issued – for breaking rules over sewage spills and shareholder…
Public Asked for Views on SCC’s Proposal for Reduced Speed Limits
By Martin Giles Speed limits on some of Guildford and Waverley’s rural roads are being reviewed. Currently, unless specific speed restrictions have been imposed, they are all subject to the national speed limit of 60mph. But the aim of Surrey County Council’s Rural Speed Limit Project is…
Guildford Healthcare Staff Celebrated for Transformative Mental Health Support
Two staff members from Farnham Road Hospital have received top honours at the annual Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Staff Awards, recognising their creative and compassionate work in mental health care. Deepika Vijayaraj, an Assistant Psychologist on Victoria Ward, was named Employee of the Year…
Will the Government Help Save Community Pubs? Asks Surrey MP
By Chris Caulfield local democracy reporter An “amazing” not-for-profit community pub has topped a poll of best watering holes – and even got a shout out in the House of Commons for “the special place that it is”. The Garibaldi Community Pub in Redhill received hundreds of…
Library Gets Lottery Grant To Raise Awareness of Green Issues
Guildford Library will receive Lottery funding amounting to £30,000 a year until 2028 to help create environmentally friendly spaces. The money has been granted to create a “green library hub” designed to help raise awareness of environmental issues and help people change their habits. The Lottery initiative…
Discounted Parking Scheme for Night-time Economy
An initiative to support local businesses and their employees by providing affordable and convenient parking options for night-time staff has been launched. Guildford Borough Council has introduced the scheme in collaboration with Experience Guildford, the town’s Business Improvement District (BID). BID levy-paying businesses can apply for discounted…
Guildford Museum Shares Jekyll’s Boots with British Library for New Exhibition
A special object from the Guildford Museum collection is on display in a new exhibition at the British Library in London. A pair of boots owned by Gertrude Jekyll, one of the 20th century’s most influential garden designers, are featured in ‘Unearthed: The Power of Gardening’ exhibition.…
Stoke Park Paddling Pool Stays Closed After Tests Show Contamination
By David Reading The planned opening of the paddling pool at Stoke Park has been postponed by Guildford Borough Council because testing has shown the water to be contaminated. The pool was to have opened yesterday (May 24) in time for the half-term break but last-minute tests…
Village School Set to Close Due to Falling Birth Rate
By Emily Dalton local democracy reporter A school is set to shut for good, a council has confirmed due to plummeting…
Dragon Interview: MP Hopes Thames Water Fine Will Be ‘Final Nail in Its Coffin’
Guildford’s MP tells Dragon editor Martin Giles that she was pleased to see the £122 million fine imposed on Thames Water…
New Knife Crime Strategy for Surrey Announced
By Esme Campbell A new strategy to tackle Surrey knife crime was unveiled last week by the Police and Crime Commissioner…
A Lighthouse in the Centre of Town Showing the Way to Community
By Stella Kuchanny From the outside, The Lighthouse on the Upper High Street, may seem like an ordinary store, but step…
Story of Wartime Canadian Army Entertainment Unit Based at Down Place, Guildford
During the Second World War Surrey was home to 230,000 Canadian troops, living in tented camps, huts or billeted in country…
Recent Comments