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…

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 which focuses on working with communities to prevent offences and bring knife crime numbers down in the county. The strategy, which is the work of the…

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…

Charity’s New Programme Meets Needs of SEND Children Without School Places

By David Reading Challengers, the Guildford-based charity, is expanding the help it offers to parents of children with special educational needs…

Pasta Evangelists to Open First Restaurant Outside London – Right Here in Guildford

By Stella Kuchanny Guildford High Street is about to welcome a new arrival. Pasta Evangelists is bringing its first-ever restaurant outside…

Police Seek Witnesses to Park Barn Assault

The police are appealing for witnesses to an assault that took place in Park Barn Drive, Guildford, on Monday, May 5,…

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…