A Snapshot of Guildford

Although the public perception of Guildford's economy is that overheating is the serious threat, the business community knows that with the global downturn of economic growth. Guildford is actually feeling the chill . Its concern is that people should understand the links between unemployment and deprivation and that a strong economy feeds money into the community. Businesses in Guildford pay almost £60 million in business rates every year which is used by Government to help fund council spending.

Business Support

Business supports the arts and sport and many of the cultural events in Guildford would not go ahead without its help. This is mutually beneficial because Guildford's role as regional centre for liesure and culture impacts on economic development. It is also important for everything from quality of life to crime prevention, social inclusion, healthy living and lifelong learning.

Accessibility

Ensuring that these benefits are accessible to all, regardless of of disadvantage or vunerability, is a guiding principal driving the Community Plan. It embraces diversity and equality of opportunity, involvemnt, rural issues, accessibility and community facilities.

Recycling

Our consumer society is also the throwaway society, and rubbish, pollution, litter and the maintenance of roads, pavements and parks are serious concerns. Recycling is a high priority and the public is aware of the importance of promoting a way of life thast is sustainable form future generations.

Environment

A clean environment, good housing, safety, leisure activities and the arts all contribute to the mental and physical health of the community: they complementing the work of the National Health Service. Guildford and Waverley and Woking Area Primary Care Trust are focusing on improving access to health services and moving to a more patient centred approach so that people have choices.

Housing

Guildford has a serious shortage of affordable housing and this affects the ability of services and businesses to recruit staff. People are living longer, property prices are high and and young people cannot find suitable housing in the villages where they grew up. While average household incomes are 37 per cent above the national average, hosue prices can be 127 per cent higher. Working in partnership Guildford has acheived a success story here, with a £65 million investment programme resulting in hundreds of new affordable homes both in the town and in the rural villages.

Traffic

The borough is also being smothered by traffic. Surrey has the highest car ownership and most congested roads outside of London and any attempt to meet the demand for car travel is incompatible with the principle of sustainable development. Aternative modes of transport are being promote, though there is much to be done