Decision details

To approve the working arrangements and the terms of the agreement between Surrey County Council and Woking Borough Council under which the Woking Town Centre Housing Infrastructure scheme will proceed.

RESOLVED:

1.    That Surrey County Council accepts the funding award of £95million for the A320 Woking Town Centre project from the Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) allocated by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, subject to Woking Borough Council entering into a legal agreement with Surrey County Council to deliver the project and accept all grant conditions as set by Homes England as well as indemnifying Surrey County Council against all financial and legal risks was agreed.

2.    That Surrey County Council enter into appropriate legal agreements with Woking Borough Council to allow the Woking Borough Council to act as agent to deliver the project, accept all bid grant conditions as set by Homes England was agreed.

3.    That authority be delegated to the Executive Director Community Protection, Transport & Environment and the Deputy Leader regarding any further decisions relating to this project was agreed.

4.    That authority be delegated to the Executive Director Community Protection, Transport & Environment in consultation with the Deputy Leader for any future decisions on the three remaining HIF bids should they be successful and subject to meeting relevant and similar terms and conditions as set for the Woking Town Centre grant award was agreed.

Reason for Decision:

To accept the grant funding awarded by government to the A320 Woking Town Centre project and enter into appropriate legal agreements to pass on all financial and legal risks in delivering the project to Woking Borough Council.

The grant funding will allow Woking to continue to prosper as a town and provide much needed housing for the local community.

To fast track decisions on the remaining three HIF bids should they be successful.

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Communities, Environment & Highways Select Committee]