Latest news with #JuliaMcShane
BBC News
28-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Stoke Park paddling pool reopening delayed over unsafe water
Contaminated water has delayed the reopening of a paddling pool in Stoke Park paddling pool was expected to open on Saturday ahead of the half term school final water testing after resurfacing works revealed it was not yet safe to open the facility, according to Guildford Borough McShane, leader of the local authority, apologised to families, adding: "Your safety and your children's safety is our utmost priority." In a video posted on Facebook, McShane explained: "In the last phases of the water testing, we discovered the water has been contaminated..."So we have taken the decision that it isn't safe to open the paddling pool."I'm really sorry, we are all devastated."McShane said the council had "worked so hard" to get the pool resurfaced and the staffing in place for the scheduled opening but said it would look into what had happened and "put things right". Maksim Fedosov, who has a two-year-old child, told BBC Radio Surrey his family used the pool last said: "It's quite disappointing, especially in the hot weather. It's quite useful."Adrian Fuller, 71, said: "When you start getting the good weather it gets very, very busy down there with the kids. It's a very popular thing."It's absolutely choc-a-block in the good weather." The paddling pool, which typically opens annually from May until September, also suffered opening delays in 2024 due to staffing last underwent a refurbishment in 2022.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Views sought on major housing proposal
Residents in Guildford are being asked to submit their views on a proposal to transform a car park into a housing development. The £86m scheme at the Guildford Park Road car park will include 248 homes, with 40% affordable housing, developers Wates Residential said. Guildford Borough Council said the homes would be modern and "celebrate the town's unique character". Council leader Julia McShane said she was committed to help residents "find homes at a price they can afford". "Whether renting or buying, we want this new neighbourhood to be somewhere residents feel proud to call home," she said. Lee Bushell, regional managing director of Wates Residential, said its aim was to "create sustainable living". "By regenerating the car park, we can increase biodiversity and foster an environment where people and nature can thrive, while providing residents affordable and high-quality homes," he said. The developer said it aimed to submit its planning application to the council this summer. The first public consultation starts on 29 March, while a further two are to take place in the future. Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Work begins on £23m care housing development Traffic fears for proposed 1,800 home development Guildford Borough Council
Yahoo
26-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Working together saves councils over £600,000
Joint working between two Surrey local authorities has lead to savings of £603,000, according to an independent report. Since 2022 Guildford and Waverley borough councils have shared a chief executive and leadership team. In September a shared planning team was launched. The report also said future savings could be even greater, now the one-off costs of creating shared teams have been met. Guildford leader Julia McShane said: "We are excited about the potential to build on these results to drive further savings. "As we continue to work together, our priority is to ensure that the services we provide to residents remain efficient and of the highest quality." Waverley's leader Paul Follows said: "Our joint working has allowed us to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and maintain the standards of our services. "We are in a fantastic position to explore further opportunities for collaboration that will generate additional savings and benefits for both councils and the communities we serve." The report also said there had been no fall in the performance of services by either council. With the government planning to reorganise local government, possibly merging districts and boroughs into larger unitary authorities, Follows said Guildford and Waverley are in a good position. He said: "Being able to demonstrate a strong and successful partnership will also enable Guildford and Waverley to make very powerful case for us to have the central role in any future unitary council covering our area." Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Surrey councils create new shared planning role Half of county councils could see election delay Council to request elections delay for devolution Call for council debt write-off before devolution Surrey councils could merge in government shake-up Council says government cash will not cover costs Guildford Borough Council Waverley Borough Council
