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Executive - Wednesday, 22 July 2026 - 7.00 pm
July 22, 2026 at 7:00 pm Executive View on council websiteSummary
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The Executive of Bromley Council met on Wednesday 22 July 2026, deciding to further develop proposals for co-locating Children & Family Centre Services and Youth Services at the Spitfire Youth Centre site in Biggin Hill. The meeting also confirmed the minutes of the previous meeting and agreed to move into a Part 2 session for further discussion.
Spitfire Centre & Sunningvale Avenue Children and Family Centre, Biggin Hill - OPR Update
The Executive agreed that Property and Children's Services should further develop proposals for the co-location of Children & Family Centre Services and Youth Services at the Spitfire Youth Centre (SYC) on Church Lane, Biggin Hill1. This decision means that the services will not be co-located at the Biggin Hill Children & Family Centre (BHCFC) on Sunningvale Avenue, Biggin Hill, as was initially considered. The Executive also agreed to the disposal of the Sunningvale Avenue site, with potential uses including affordable housing development by the Council or sale for a capital receipt.
The Extended Property Review had initially identified the Spitfire Youth Centre site as being of higher value but requiring significant investment for repairs. However, subsequent design work for co-locating services at the Sunningvale Avenue site revealed significant challenges. These included the need for a substantial extension, which would lead to a loss of amenity space, over-shadowing of neighbouring properties, and restricted window views. Furthermore, the potential for noise and late-hour vehicle access from youth services was identified as a likely planning objection.
With the Honeys nursery preparing to move from the Spitfire Youth Centre site, the opportunity arose to re-evaluate this location. The Spitfire Youth Centre site offers more space and a more suitable environment, including mature trees and landscaped areas, adjacent to Biggin Hill Recreation Ground, which provides extensive outdoor facilities. The report noted that the displacement of The Sheds,
an independent community group using a workshop area at the Spitfire Youth Centre, would need to be managed, with officers supporting the group in finding alternative accommodation. The report also indicated that the old nursery building at the Spitfire site could potentially be used by The Sheds
if the nursery vacates.
The proposed co-location at the Spitfire Youth Centre involves internal adaptations, refurbishment, and a small in-fill extension, which is considered unlikely to face planning objections. This approach is expected to result in overall savings on the Operational Property Review budget and revenue savings from declaring the Sunningvale Avenue property surplus.
Questions
One question was submitted for a written response.
To Confirm the Minutes of the Meeting Held on 24 June 2026
The minutes of the meeting held on 24 June 2026 were confirmed and agreed.
Local Government Act 1972 as Amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006 and the Freedom of Information Act 2000
The Executive agreed to move to Part 2 of the meeting, which would involve the exclusion of the press and public. This was deemed necessary due to the likely disclosure of exempt information during the consideration of the subsequent agenda items.
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The Spitfire Youth Centre is located on Church Lane, Biggin Hill, TN16 3LB. The Biggin Hill Children & Family Centre is located on Sunningvale Avenue, Biggin Hill, TN16 3TN. ↩
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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SPITFIRE CENTRE & SUNNINGVALE AVENUE CHILDREN AND FAMILY CENTRE, BIGGIN HILL - OPR UPDATE
Recommendations ApprovedThe Executive of Bromley Council decided to further develop proposals for co-locating Children & Family Centre Services and Youth Services at the Spitfire Youth Centre site. They also agreed to the disposal of the Sunningvale Avenue Children & Family Centre site. This decision was made on 22/07/2026.
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LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972 AS AMENDED BY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT (ACCESS TO INFORMATION) (VARIATION) ORDER 2006 AND THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000
Recommendations ApprovedThe Executive of Bromley Council agreed to move to Part 2 on 22 July 2026.
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CONSIDERATION OF ANY OTHER ISSUES REFERRED FROM THE EXECUTIVE, RESOURCES AND CONTRACTS POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE
Recommendations ApprovedThe Executive of Bromley Council on 22 July 2026 approved recommendations.
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TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 24 JUNE 2026
Recommendations ApprovedThe Executive of Bromley Council on 22 July 2026 agreed to confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 24 June 2026. The decision was made on 22/07/2026.
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QUESTIONS
Recommendations ApprovedBromley Council's Executive resolved to approve recommendations on 22/07/2026. One question was noted for written response.
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DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Recommendations ApprovedBromley Council's Executive approved recommendations on declarations of interest on 22 July 2026.
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Recommendations ApprovedExecutive approved recommendations on 22/07/2026. Cllr Lymer joined online.
Attendees
