Decision details

The Cabinet Member for Localities and Community Wellbeing said that there was an opportunity to move the library service in Horley into a modern and more efficient property and this report set out commercially sensitive information, relating to item 10, to enable Cabinet to take a fully informed decision.

He confirmed that the overall running cost of the proposed new library in Horley would be less that the current running costs of the existing library. He also drew attention to a revised recommendation (2) tabled at the meeting, namely that the following wording: ‘the Director of Legal, Democratic and Cultural Services, the Cabinet Member for Localities and Community Wellbeing and the Cabinet Member for Business Services and Resident Experience’ be included after ‘Director of Finance’.

The Cabinet Associate for Community Safety Services asked the Cabinet Member to confirm the timing, set out in the Heads of Terms, for the exchange of contracts, which he agreed and said he would respond outside the meeting.

RESOLVED:

1.         That the purchase of a retail unit in Russell Square Horley, for the sum set out in the submitted report, plus fees and stamp duty land tax on a 998 year long lease (a ‘virtual freehold) from Reigate and Banstead Borough Council (RBBC), as premises for a modern library for Horley, be approved.

2.         That authority be delegated to the Chief Property Officer, in consultation with the Director of Finance, the Director of Legal, Democratic and Cultural Services, the Cabinet Member for Localities and Community Wellbeing and the Cabinet Member for Business Services and Resident Experience to award a contract for the refurbishment and fit out of the new library, subject to formal tender, at a cost not exceeding the figure set out in the submitted report.

Reasons for Decisions:

To stimulate and maintain high levels of library use in Horley, this paper recommends that Cabinet approve the purchase of a recently constructed retail unit in Russell Square, Horley, from Reigate and Banstead Borough Council (RBBC). The unit will be used as premises for a modern library where residents will benefit from the more convenient location and a comprehensive range of services available to the local community.