Decision details

Background:

The Southborough Hub Project is a joint project between Kent County Council (KCC), Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) and Southborough Town Council (STC) to deliver a Community Hub scheme which has been a long-term aspiration for Southborough Town.  Two previous key decisions (15/00041 and 15/00024) were taken authorising the inclusion of the library and the funding/land transactions required  to facilitate the project.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a Collaboration Agreement were signed between KCC and TWBC and STC. The land with the benefit of consent for the 69 residential units was

sold to Crest Nicholson, which along with the NHS and FA grant, has provided the budget to fund the project.

The terms of the Collaboration agreement have facilitated detailed development of the next stages of the project. This includes the negotiation and execution of funding agreements with the NHS and Football Foundation, together with the negotiation of a final tender sum for the construction works.

Proposed decision:

To authorise to the Director of Infrastructure in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Corporate and Democratic Services and the Corporate Director for Finance to enter into the necessary legal documents to enable the construction of the Southborough Hub development.

Alternatives considered:

Part retention of the existing buildings on the site with relevant refurbishment instead of total rebuilding was considered and this was noted as part of the formal consultation in 2015/16.

Further information on alternatives and other details considered may viewed online as part of the previous consultation materials.

As Cabinet Member for Corporate and Democratic Services, I approve the progression of the Southborough Hub Development project and authorise the Director of Infrastructure in consultation with the Corporate Director for Finance to enter into the necessary legal documents to enable the construction of the Southborough Hub development.