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RESOLVED:
 
1.   
That Cabinet agrees the proposed re-development of the Bookham
Community Centre at 164 Lower Road, a change in direction from the
preferred location of the Lower Road Recreation Ground, and
acknowledges the risks associated with development of a designated
green belt site.
 
2.   
That Cabinet approves deferral of housing development commitments
associated with the previous decision in 2021 to beyond 2027/28
considering Surrey’s Devolution and Local Government
Reorganisation timescales.

3.   
That Cabinet approves the delegation of authority to approve budget
variations required for the scheme +/-10% to Capital Programme
Panel only (less than £1m), and budget variations over 10%
(and/or over £1m) to the Deputy Chief Executive and Executive
Director of Resources (Section 151 Officer) and Cabinet Member for
Property, Waste and Infrastructure.

4.   
That Cabinet reaffirms ongoing investment of the remaining budget
allocation of £2.8m for 2025/26 and 2026/27.
 
5.   
That Cabinet delegates authority to the Deputy Chief Executive and
Executive Director of Resources (Section 151 Officer) in
consultation with the Director of Land and Property to finalise and
approve terms of any legal contracts, agreements and associated
documentation to facilitate the proposals and compliance with
Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972.
 
Reason for
Decisions:
 
The original former Bookham Youth Centre
building was closed in 2019 and is beyond economic repair. The
Council has freehold ownership of the site.

In February 2021, the Council’s Cabinet
approved investment of £2.5m (excluding VAT) of capital
funding for the reprovision of Bookham Youth Centre (BYC) and
associated residential development. However, changes in planning
legislation and impact on financial viability linked to
biodiversity net gain and the National Planning Policy Framework
update (December 2024) on Green Belt Policy means that development
of the Lower Road Recreation Ground site as the former preferred
option is no longer viable and associated housing development
proposals cannot proceed.

Officers have reviewed options, and the
development of 164 Lower Road is confirmed as viable and affordable
within existing approved budget allocations. The proposed
development replaces the existing building, the Bridge at
North Leatherhead and Bookham Family Centre, creating
fit-for-purpose multi-purpose community facilities.

The Medium-Term Financial Strategy includes a
capital allocation of £2.8m across 2025/26 and 2026/27 for
the design, build and development of the Community Centre in
Bookham.  The delivery of the centre on
the Lower Road site can be achieved within the existing capital
budget allocation.  It is however,
proposed that work on the housing development, agreed as part of
the Cabinet’s decision from 2021, is deferred, with any
future decision to pursue this development being made by the
relevant new unitary council, to be established as part of the
County’s Devolution and Local Government Re-organisation
outcomes.
 
The new Community Centre facilities will be
available for community use, including bookings by community
groups. Lease arrangements will require terms compliant with
Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972 following Section 151
approval.
 
(The decisions on
this item can be called-in by the
Resources and Performance Select Committee)