Lib Dems demand 'Get a grip!' on Civic project

12.25.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 26th Apr 2005

Liberal Democrat councillors are calling for Guildford Borough Council's Conservative Executive to 'get a grip' on the floundering Civic project when they meet on Thursday this week. Lib Dem Group Leader Cllr Jayne Marks has welcomed the report being considered by the Executive on options for taking the project forward. The report includes consideration of the Liberal Democrat motion submitted to Council which proposed looking at all options, including radical refurbishment of the existing building as well as an in-house project to build a new Civic independently, funded by sale of council-owned land at Bedford Road and London Road.

Speaking before the Executive meeting Cllr Vivienne Johnson, Liberal Democrat spokesperson on Property, said "The Tory Executive must get a grip on this project, and make sure the Council regains the trust of Guildford residents following the Executive's disastrous decision to close the Civic prematurely. The Liberal Democrats want to play a constructive part in taking the Civic project forward. The final decision about the best option should be referred to the full Council in July, so that all 48 members, from all parties, can be involved. That would also allow the many interested organisations and members of the public to have their say to the Council."

Liberal Democrat Group Leader Cllr Jayne Marks said "We will be attending the Executive meeting and stressing the need to weigh all the options against the clear criteria in the recent Lib Dem motion to Council. I will be arguing that the refurbishment option should be taken forward for further investigation together with the council 'in-house' build options in the report. Whilst refurbishment may not be the perfect option to give the town a landmark building, it might be the most cost effective way to achieve the facilities that the public want and deserve."

Cllr Merilyn Spier (Lib Dem, Merrow) said "Guildford residents are telling us they just want their Civic Hall back as soon as possible. It is such a shame that everything was stripped out from the building when it closed so that we no longer have the interim option of re-opening the old building until contracts for the new Civic are finally agreed. It is sensible for the Council now to take control of the re-building ourselves as the complex tendering route has failed for a second time."