Reactions to Councillor’s Contested Removal from GBC Executive

Published on: 12 Jan, 2026
Updated on: 13 Jan, 2026

GBC Executive January 2026

Reactions to the news of the controversial removal of Cllr Catherine Houston from the GBC Executive, by council leader Julia McShane, have been invited.

Updated with Cllr Oven’s comment below.

The Conservative leader of the opposition at GBC questioned whether the Lib Dem Executive was collapsing into chaos.

Philip Brooker (Worplesdon) said: “I have had concerns for some time that this Lib Dem administration is struggling to keep its head above water with formal reports being continually late to committees.

Conservative group leader Philip Brooker

“The ill-judged decision to share staff and services with Waverley has resulted in significant constitutional changes which obstructs staff in their duties at every turn.

“With arguably the two most senior positions on the Executive after the leader resigning on the same day and a third publicly complaining that she had effectively been sacked is just another example of chaos at the highest levels. This should cause grave concern for residents.”

Former leader of GBC Joss Bigmore (R4GV, Merrow), who worked alongside the current leader, Julia McShane, in the coalition Lib Dem/R4GV administration of 2019 to 2023, said: “It’s difficult to know where to start!

Cllr Joss Bigmore

“There is no explanation  why Cllrs Tom Hunt and Richard Lucas stood down. Their portfolios have been leaderless for a month, despite the upcoming budget and size of the major project programme.

“The latest news appears to show we are being told untruths, ie the claim that Cllr Catherine “stepped down”. I’d have thought deliberately misleading the public and councillors is enough to warrant resignation but this administration limps on. Roll on the Local Government Reorganisation. GBC can’t be put out of its misery quick enough.”

Cllr Howard Smith

And Labour councillor Howard Smith, the council leader’s fellow Westborough ward member, said: “I wouldn’t consider myself a friend of Catherine’s but it’s a shame to see her removed in this way.

“She is one of the few Liberal Democrats who can point to tangible achievements; she effectively negotiated new contracts for G Live and more impressively with Freedom Leisure for the new Spectrum contract which included year round swimming at the Lido.

“It’s hard to understand the rationale [for the decision to remove her] and it’s disappointing to see her go.”

Cllr Pat Oven

The leader of the Guildford Greenbelt Group, Patrick Oven (Send), thought the council leader should explain the contradiction of the council’s account by that of Cllr Houston. He said: “I have no wish to intrude on what appears to be the Liberal Democrats’ private grief. But grief it appears to be.

“Cllr Houston has made crystal clear this morning she did not jump, but was pushed. Given the stated commitment of the Liberal Democrats to openness in local government, no doubt Cllr McShane will shortly have more to say in this regard.”

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