The Corporate and Resources Committee met on Tuesday 19 March 2024, approving an updated business plan for the Cambridge Road Estate regeneration, which will see more homes designated for social rent, and giving the go-ahead for a strategy to revitalise Kingston's Ancient Market Place. The committee also approved a funding agreement for a new vocational centre at St Philip's School.

Cambridge Road Estate (CRE) Business Plan Update

The committee received an update on the Phase 1 Business Plan for the Cambridge Road Estate (CRE) regeneration project. A significant change to the plan, previously agreed by the Council in December 2023, involves converting 104 homes originally intended for private sale into Council social rent properties. This change increases the total number of homes for social rent within Phase 1 from 150 to 254, and across the entire CRE project from 767 to 871. The number of homes for private sale in Phase 1 will consequently reduce to 183, and overall to 2,066.

This decision was made to mitigate the impact of a slowing private sales market and to maintain the project's delivery programme. The regeneration of CRE is a key Council priority, aiming to provide 2,170 new homes in total, including modern, energy-efficient, safe, secure, and accessible housing across all tenures. The committee resolved to note the updated Phase 1 Business Plan and delegate authority to the Executive Director of Place to finalise and sign a Supplemental Agreement with the Cambridge Road (RBK) LLP to formalise this change. Councillor Richard Thorpe declared an other registrable interest as a council representative on the CRE Joint Venture Limited Liability Partnership Board and withdrew from the debate and vote on this item.

Revitalising Kingston's Ancient Market Place

The committee approved a strategy and guiding principles for the revitalisation of Kingston's Ancient Market Place. This includes delegating authority to the Executive Director for Place to advertise and negotiate a lease for a managing operator of the street market, Ancient Market Square, and Market House. The aim is to create a vibrant, year-round destination that celebrates the area's heritage, increases footfall, and boosts town centre trade.

The strategy proposes a curated programming approach for cultural and community activities, alongside an expanded and diversified street market offer, potentially including evening trading. The Market House is intended to become a contemporary space supporting the market, offering meeting facilities, and hosting pop-up shops and events. This move away from the current rolling 12-month agreement with Kingston First aims to foster a longer-term partnership with an operator, encouraging capital investment and new ideas. The council anticipates that this will lead to improved market management, branding, and promotion, while also reducing the council's costs for maintenance, cleansing, and waste services. A further report will be presented to the committee with the outcome of negotiations before any lease is finalised.

Funding Agreement for a New 14-19 Vocational Centre at St Philip's School

The committee approved the Council entering into a funding agreement to contribute £3.1 million from the Department for Education's (DfE) allocated High Needs Provision Capital Allocation (HNPCA) funds towards the St Philip's School Willow Project. This project will establish a new vocational centre providing 18 additional specialist school places for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The new centre will enhance the local offer for SEND provision, enabling young people to acquire vocational skills and qualifications, potentially leading to sustained employment. The facilities will also be available for use by other schools, including Chessington School, and community groups. The Council has a statutory duty to ensure sufficient school places, and currently, there is a shortage of specialist places for SEND pupils within the borough. This development is expected to create a permanent learning space that will attract local parents, reducing the need for out-of-borough or independent placements, which are significantly more expensive. The project will enable St Philip's School to expand its capacity from 182 to 200 pupils and is projected to achieve an annual cost avoidance of approximately £0.655 million in Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) High Needs Block expenditure. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director, Place, to finalise and execute the funding agreement and any associated legal documentation.

Public Question Time

The Committee received questions from representatives of the North Kingston Neighbourhood Forum concerning the Canbury Place Car Park and the 12-52 Kingsgate Road development. Concerns were raised about ensuring the site's development for new homes. The Council explained that while disposal terms are commercially confidential, steps are being taken to ensure the site is brought forward promptly once planning permission is secured. The site is allocated in the emerging Local Plan and has been identified for mixed-use and mixed-tenure development, including private and affordable homes. The Council has a conditional sale agreement with the purchaser, bound by contract conditions. Residents also inquired about the prioritisation of Discounted Market Rent for affordable housing to alleviate the council home waiting list. The Council indicated that the nature, tenure, and timing of affordable housing are considered through the planning process, but discounted market rent is anticipated for this scheme. The Council typically seeks nomination rights over any affordable housing, regardless of tenure, to support those it has a responsibility to accommodate, and noted that Build-to-Rent (BTR) housing is often attractive to key worker households.