Waverley Conservative Council group expresses disappointment following the
release of the Heminsley Law report into the multi million pound alleged
fraud at Guildford Borough Council.
The report released from exempt on 22nd January outlines serious financial
mismanagement and governance failures at Guildford Borough Council and
implicates senior staff including the former CEO. A serious fraud
investigation is ongoing and both Councils have spent years dealing with the
departure and rehire of nearly all of the 15-strong joint management team.
Guildford and Waverley’s Lib Dem-led administrations entered into a joint
collaboration agreement in 2021. CEO Tom Horwood was appointed in
December 2022 and a joint management team structure created. Staff are
now shared between both Councils. We are still awaiting clarification as to
how Officer time is apportioned and charged between each Council.
Councillor Jane Austin reacted to the report:
“This report is truly shocking. It outlines a catalogue of failures, and clearly
states that senior managers entrusted to run both of our Councils have, on
the balance of probabilities, failed in that duty.”
“In 2025 we are still dealing with major upheaval and unwanted
consequences of the Lib Dems’ hasty 2021 decision to ‘collaborate’ the two
councils, a decision made without proper research or even a business
case.”
“Waverley residents are now needlessly drawn into and damaged by the
serious failings of a completely different Council’s making. Our experience
is that Guildford’s financial and governance issues have been a serious
distraction for Officers - to Waverley’s detriment. Waverley BC is even
having to pay a 50% share of Guildford’s legal and other costs in respect of
this alleged fraud.”
“The worst tragedy of this situation is that £millions which should have
been spent improving Guildford residents' lives and homes is now gone. I
only hope justice is served via the ongoing criminal investigation.”
Councillor Carole Cockburn reacted to the report:
“Waverley residents have been placed in this situation because of the
Lib-Dem organised collaboration of Guildford and Waverley, something we
have never supported as we couldn’t see any benefit to residents.”
“But what has transpired is infinitely worse than we anticipated - we are
tied to a Council still trying to recover from serious financial and
governance failures. The collaboration itself is even cited as a contributing
reason for the failures which led to the alleged fraud - including by the
former CEO himself. Waverley deserves better.”
