Issue - meetings

·      That the entering into of a Memorandum of Understanding with Raven Housing Trust and Reigate and Banstead Borough Council to progress the Merstham Regeneration Project be approved in principle as outlined in the report submitted.

·      That the Strategic Director for Business Services, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, be delegated authority to sign the final Memorandum of Understanding.

·      That the estimated total capital expenditure of no more than £2.3m be approved and delegated authority be given to the Strategic Director for Business Services, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to approve expenditure in relation to this project, subject to full business case approval.

Reasons for Decisions:

The Merstham estate is one of the most deprived areas in Surrey with comparatively high levels of poverty, some poor housing and significant health needs. It remains an area with a high concentration of young people not in education, employment or training. The inclusion of youth services and library services within an integrated community hub in Merstham will significantly enhance the facilities available to young people and the local community.

The Merstham Regeneration Project would deliver a new integrated community hub, an improved retail offer, the removal of existing shops and the replacement of existing poor quality social housing with 50 new homes. Surrey County Council would enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Reigate and Banstead Borough Council and Raven Housing Trust to facilitate this regeneration.

The inclusion of youth services and library services within the integrated community hub in Merstham would significantly enhance the facilities available to young people and the local community. This would be subject to a full business case that identified the revised total capital costs. 

The Cabinet had previously expressed its support for a new community hub and agreed in principle the potential disposal of the existing Merstham library site to the Diocese of Southwark at market value in exchange for the proposed Battlebridge school site. The need to re-provide Merstham library in the community hub had been identified in the Medium Term Financial Plan capital programme since 2010 at an estimated cost of £1.2m.

RESOLVED:

1.         That the entering into of a Memorandum of Understanding with Raven Housing Trust and Reigate and Banstead Borough Council to progress the Merstham Regeneration Project be approved in principle as outlined in the report submitted.

2.         That the Strategic Director for Business Services, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, be delegated authority to sign the final Memorandum of Understanding.

3.         That the estimated total capital expenditure of no more than £2.3m be approved and delegated authority be given to the Strategic Director for Business Services, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to approve expenditure in relation to this project, subject to full business case approval.

Reasons for Decisions:

The Merstham estate is one of the most deprived areas in Surrey with comparatively high levels of poverty, some poor housing and significant health needs. It remains an area with a high concentration of young people not in education, employment or training. The inclusion of youth services and library services within an integrated community hub in Merstham will significantly enhance the facilities available to young people and the local community.