Local News

Dragon Interview: What’s Reform Guildford’s View of Local Government Reorganisation?
The Reform party is riding high in the national opinion polls. Five recent polls showed them at an average of almost 29 per cent support with an average lead over Labour of 4.6 percent while the Conservatives trailed in third place, on just under 18 per cent. In council elections in May they made ma...

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Guildford Lido could be open through the winter under proposed new management
Guildford Lido, the Spectrum and Ash Manor Sports Centre are all coming under new management


‘Astonishingly Clever’ SCC Show Garden Wins Silver for Turning Parking Spaces Green
By Esme Campbell A show garden displaying how parking spaces can be converted into green areas won a silver medal at this year’s RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival. Created by Surrey County Council (SCC), the garden showcased alternative, environmental uses for parking spaces, with three car...

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Concerns over upcoming Surrey local government restructure lead to review on creating a Guildford Town Council
The move could also create multiple new parishes in the borough


New Air Quality Strategy to Improve Pollution Approved by Guildford Borough Council
By Esme Campbell A five-year strategy to improve air quality across the borough has been approved by Guildford councillors. The document outlines the priorities and steps that will be taken, building on Guildford Borough Council’s previous air quality commitments and using up-to-date scientific ev...


Co-founder of Surrey Pride Found Guilty of Rape of 12-year-old Boy
Two men who were found guilty of multiple child sex offences earlier this year are both facing prison sentences following a hearing at Guildford Crown Court on Monday (June 30). Stephen Ireland, 41, from Addlestone, was sentenced to 24 years in prison, with a further six on extended licence, after b...


July By-elections To Show Relative Standings of Political Parties
By Emily Dalton local democracy reporter Some parts of Surrey will head to the polls to cast their vote in July. Three by-elections will be taking place for Surrey County Council over the next month to fill empty seats. The results will give an indication of the current political mood in the county....


Taller buildings could be a 'positive addition' to Guildford says planning councillor amid town regeneration
However it was warned that "Poorly designed tall buildings can harm the character of an area"


Birdwatcher’s Diary No.330 Bempton Cliffs
By Malcolm Fincham Inspiring weather conditions continued to remain as we moved into the middle part of June, as another plume of warm air pushed up from Europe bringing temperatures up to 30 Celsius in southern counties of the UK. To my surprise, for our 43rd anniversary of marriage, my wife had ar...


Notice: Invisible Things at Guildford House – July 5 to September 27
Free art exhibition at Guildford House… The post Notice: Invisible Things at Guildford House – July 5 to September 27 appeared first on Guildford Dragon....


'Don't try and fix Surrey skate park yourself' warns council as essential repairs are carried out
There is lots of work going on in Guildford's Stoke Park


GBC Asks Residents for Views on Its Draft Building Height Guidance
By Martin Giles What is your view on building heights in Guildford? Should there be limits, perhaps depending on the location? If so, what should those limits be? Guildford Borough Council is asking residents, community groups and developers for their feedback on its draft Tall Buildings Supplementa...


Letter: A Simple Footbridge Should Have Been Affordable to Keep Towpath Over Weir Open
From Andy Jones See: The National Trust Should Be Embarrassed About How Long the Weir Repair Is Taking It is over five and a half years now since Tumbling Bay Weir collapsed and the towpath footbridge closed. A straightforward steel beam and timber deck bridge could be designed and installed for aro...


Letter: Local Government Reorganisation Consultations Are Too Little, Too Late
From Bernard Quoroll former local authority chief executive In response to: Online Event Will ‘Help Residents Have Their Say On Local Government Reorganisation’ I see now that there are three consultations running on future local government structure in Surrey, one by the Government, one by the ...


What a Shambles! Council Takes Highlighted Street Sign Down
Martin Giles June 30 – An erroneous street sign indicating that The Shambles, which runs off Guildford High Street, was in Godalming, has been removed following yesterday’s article in The Dragon pointing out the mistake spotted by a sharp-eyed Dragon reader. Today a council spokesperson said: ...


Ninja Sword Owners Told To Surrender Them to the Police
Surrey Police will be part of a surrender and compensation scheme for ninja swords being launched by the Government tomorrow (July 1). Owners will have one month to hand in their weapons to the police and claim compensation. The scheme will run until Thursday, July 31, and ninja swords will be illeg...


Letter: We Should Not Accept Traffic Offence Penalties As a Way To Raise Council Revenue
From: Patrick Bray In response to: Yellow Box Fines Are Just a Money-raising Opportunity for SCC It’s fundamentally incorrect to look upon fines as a revenue source. Fines should be about enforcement to improve safety. Considering fines as revenue encourages the targeting of motorists and the purs...


Heatwave Continues – But Guildford Records Unlikely to Be Broken
Parts of the South East of England could see one of the hottest June days ever as the current heatwave peaks today (June 30). But records are unlikely to be broken in Guildford. According to the BBC weather forecast temperatures in Guildford will reach 31° C this afternoon and tomorrow 32° C. The ...


Highways Bulletin: Best Open Day Yet!
The information for this bulletin comes from Surrey County Council and is written by them. See interactive map here. Report potholes and highway issues here. Junction 10, M25 news here. A Brilliant Showcase at the Highways Open Day What an incredible day! Thank you to everyone who came along to our ...


Online Event Will ‘Help Residents Have Their Say On Local Government Reorganisation’
Guildford and Waverley Borough Councils are inviting residents to join them for an “Online Engagement Session” on Thursday, July 3, to find out about the most significant change to councils in Surrey for over 50 years. The Government has launched a public consultation on proposals to replace c...
