The future of Guildford House - Lib Dems call-in Council decision

At their meeting last Thursday, Guildford Borough Council's Executive decided to investigate alternative uses for Guildford House, and to approve spending £160,000 to refurbish 170 High Street for use as a Tourist Information Centre and Art Gallery. Following strong representations from members of the public who spoke at the meeting, the Executive ruled out the idea of selling the freehold of Guildford House. Liberal Democrat councillors who attended the meeting said that Guildford House was an important part of Guildford's heritage, and said it was vital that the historic building remains accessible to the public.

Liberal Democrat councillors have now called-in the Executive's decision, so it will be subjected to further discussion by the Council's Corporate Improvement Scrutiny Committee before it can be implemented. The Scrutiny Committee may decide to send it back to the Executive for a re-think.

Cllr Anne Meredith, Lib Dem Chair of the Corporate Improvement Scrutiny Committee, said "We believe the Executive had insufficient information to justify this decision, especially as they did a U-turn to rule out selling Guildford House, without knowing the financial consequences. Members of the public made it very clear they did not feel they had been consulted. This call-in gives everyone a breathing space to think this through, and I hope residents will write in with their views, and come to the Scrutiny Committee meeting to tell us what they think."

Cllr Sarah Di Caprio, Lib Dem councillor for Holy Trinity ward, added "Guildford House is a much-loved historic building, and 170 High Street is also part of our historic heritage. We need to be making good use of both these buildings and preserving them for future generations. Making a rushed decision based on incomplete information is quite unacceptable. The Scrutiny Committee call-in will allow us to give proper consideration to the possible uses of both buildings, and to get the finances right."

The call-in is expected to be considered at the meeting of the Corporate Improvement Scrutiny Committee on 11 March, when the Council's Strategic Property Review is also on the agenda.