Freedom of information (FOI) releases from Guildford

This is a disclosure log of Guildford Council's responses to freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) requests that might be of wider public interest.

If you can't find the information you're looking for, you can make a new FOI request.

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522 disclosures

  1. Finance processes

    1. Does Guildford Borough Council have a policy to clear suspense accounts either in general fund, or housing revenue account of mis-postings?

    2. Where are these balances shown in Finance reports & Annual Statutory accounts?

    3. For :2022/3, 23/4, 24/5 & 25/6
    Please list these unreconciled suspense balances in the Annual accounts.

    4. When were these suspense accounts last reconciled & cleared?

    5. Does Guildford Borough Council pro-actively retrieve over-payments made to suppliers?
    Did this policy exist in 2022/23 & 23/4

    6. If it did, where were the overpayments on the Housing Revenue Account posted in the relevant quarter-end finance reports for both accounting years?

    7. How much in total HRA over-payments ( part of the £13.5m fraud) were retrieved?


    8. Is the retrieval of over-payments an ongoing KPI ? If not why not?

     

    Published: 29 April 2026

  2. FOI request accommodations

    1. Please outline what temporary accommodation schemes your Council runs? For example, nightly paid, leasing, etc. Please attach any materials about these schemes.


    2. Please outline the total number of households that you have in temporary accommodation and what types of temporary accommodation they are in? For example, 45 in nightly paid, 35 in hostels, etc.


    3. Please outline what types of accommodation you are looking for? For example 2 beds, 3 beds, etc.


    4. Please outline the rates paid on each TA scheme broken down by number of bedrooms? For example, nightly paid 2 bed: £65 per night, etc.


    5. Please outline what boroughs you have your temporary accommodation placements by borough?


    6. Please provide the on boarding process to become an accommodation provider, included requirements?


    7. Please provide the name, contact number and email of the person responsible for on boarding temporary accommodation?

    Published: 28 April 2026

  3. Freedom of Information request – temporary accommodation health and safety data

    Please treat this email as a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

     

    I am requesting aggregated information relating to health and safety standards and local authority oversight in temporary accommodation used to house individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

     

    For the purposes of this request, temporary accommodation means accommodation arranged or secured by the authority to meet homelessness duties, including, where used, B&Bs/hotels, hostels, nightly-paid accommodation, private sector leased accommodation, self-contained temporary accommodation and any other temporary placements.

     

    Please provide the following information for each of the last two complete financial years:

     

      *   2023/24

      *   2024/25

     

    And, where readily available, please also provide 2025/26 year-to-date figures up to your latest complete month, shown separately.

     

    Please provide:

     

      1.  The number of households placed in temporary accommodation at any point during each period.

    If held, please also provide the figure for households with dependent children.

     

      2.  The number of households in temporary accommodation on the last day of each period.

    If held, please also provide the figure for households with dependent children.

     

      3.  The total number of inspections, checks or other property standards / health and safety visits carried out in relation to temporary accommodation during each period.

     

      4.  The number of temporary accommodation properties, placements or cases where serious hazards were identified during each period.

    If your authority records these differently, please provide the closest equivalent measure used.

     

      5.  The number of complaints or reports received relating to the condition, health or safety of temporary accommodation during each period.

     

      6.  The number of formal enforcement actions taken in relation to temporary accommodation properties during each period.

    If possible, please include the total number and, where readily available, a breakdown by type of action.

     

      7.  For 2024/25 only, if readily available, please provide the main issue types identified in temporary accommodation, for example:

      *   damp and mould

      *   fire safety

      *   electrical safety

      *   heating / hot water failure

      *   pests / infestation

      *   overcrowding / space standards

      *   structural hazards

     

      8.  For 2024/25 only, if readily available, please provide:

      *   the number of complaints relating specifically to damp and mould

      *   the number of complaints relating specifically to fire safety

      *   the average or median time to first response for condition-related complaints

     

      9.  For 2024/25 only, if readily available, please provide the number of temporary accommodation providers or landlords that were:

      *   removed from use due to standards or condition concerns, or

      *   subject to a formal “do not use” decision or equivalent

     

    Published: 28 April 2026

  4. Flytipping numbers

    I am writing to you under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to request information regarding illegal waste dumping (fly‑tipping) within your council area.

    The Environment Agency stated in January 2025 that there were 517 active illegal waste dumps in the country.

    The figures I have for your area are a total of 3,137 tonnes of waste.


    Can I get your comment on the scale of the problem and how it is being addressed?

    Published: 28 April 2026

  5. Discretionary Council Tax Discounts

    This is an information request regarding recipients of discretionary reductions to council tax.

    For clarity, this refers to discretionary reductions granted under Section 13A(1)(c) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (or equivalent discretionary council tax relief powers).

    Please include the following information for the following years 2023/24, 2024/25, 2025/26


    * Total number of households receiving discretionary reductions to council tax


    * A breakdown of the categories or criteria used to award these reductions (e.g. hardship, medical, exceptional circumstances), and the number of awards in each category, where recorded.

    * The number of households receiving a 100% reduction in council tax liability through discretionary reductions (i.e. paying no council tax after discretionary relief is applied)

     

    Published: 27 April 2026

  6. Operational status of Guildford Town Centre's CCTV network

    Dear Freedom of Information Officer, I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding the operational status of the CCTV network in Guildford Town Centre (specifically the pedestrianised areas).

    Please provide the following information:

    1. Total Count: The total number of Council-operated CCTV cameras currently installed in the Guildford Town Centre pedestrian areas.

    2. Current Status: As of the date of this request, how many of these cameras are fully operational and currently being monitored/recorded?

    3. Fault Logs: The total number of "fault reports" or "maintenance tickets" currently open for CCTV cameras in this zone that have been unresolved for more than 30 days.

    4. Downtime Data: The average percentage of the town centre camera network that was operational during the period of January 1st, 2025, to December 31st, 2025.

    5. Investment Records: The total amount spent on "CCTV upgrades or replacements" (as referenced in recent correspondence from the Regulatory Services department) between April 2023 and the present date.

     

    Published: 27 April 2026

  7. Council Tax Spending Enquiry

    I am requesting the following information, in accordance to the Freedom of Information Act 2000:

     

    1. Details of how Council Tax funds/pound value amounts have been allocated to the following;

    a) Social Care: Funding adult social care, mental health services, and support for families.

    b) Environmental Services: Rubbish collection, recycling, and street cleaning.

    c) Public Safety: Police services, fire services, and crime prevention initiatives.

    d) Infrastructure & Transport: Road maintenance, street lighting, and, in some areas, transport services.

    e) Education & Community: Schools, children's centres, libraries, and parks.

    f) Administrative Costs: Local council administration, planning, and development services

    2. The total number of council tax accounts that are currently in arrears as of today's date.


    3. Empty Homes: Number of properties charged the empty homes premium.


    4. Credits/Refunds: Lists of unclaimed council tax credits (usually for businesses/charities).


    5. Arrears/Recovery: Number of liability orders issued and total council tax in arrears.


    6. Policy & Procedures: Documents on how decisions are made regarding discounts or premiums.


    7. The total number of council tax accounts that are currently in arrears as of today's date.

    Published: 27 April 2026

  8. Vacant Commercial Properties

    Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I am requesting information the following information regarding vacant commercial properties currently owned or managed by your council:

    1. The total number of empty commercial properties in 2025.
    2. The total number of empty commercial properties in 2024 and 2023.

    If possible, please also provide:

    1. A breakdown of empty properties by category (e.g., retail, office, industrial, leisure).
    2. The length of time properties have been empty.

    Published: 27 April 2026

  9. Increase in council tax

    1. Please advise why GBC has increased council tax since last year?
    2. Where will the extra income be sent?
    3. Please also detail councillors' salaries and pensions?

    Published: 27 April 2026

  10. Support animals in temporary accomodation

    Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I would like to request the following information:

    1. Does your council accommodate pets (excluding guide dogs and trained assistance animals) in council provided / arranged temporary accommodation?

    2. Does your council accommodate pets (excluding guide dogs and trained assistance animals) in council provided / arranged emergency accommodation (specifically for people who are considered legally homeless / threatened with homelessness)?

    3. Are your responses to questions one and two formalised council policies?

    4. Does your council work with any partners on the provision of pet-friendly temporary or emergency accommodation, OR has your council worked with any partners on the provision of pet-friendly temporary or emergency accommodation at any point since 1st January 2023 and now?

    5. Does your council (at the time of writing) work with AT LEAST ONE temporary or emergency accommodation provider that will accept pets (not taking into account whether they are available / have vacancies at the present time)?

    Published: 27 April 2026