Proposed decision
To approve the relocation of Tunbridge Wells Family Hub services from 39a Grove Hill Road, Tunbridge Wells, to The Amelia Scott, Tunbridge Wells
Reason for the decision
The decision is required to approve the relocation of the Tunbridge Wells Family Hub services from 39a Grove Hill Road to The Amelia Scott. The proposed relocation would enable services to continue to be delivered from a central town centre location whilst providing a more accessible, flexible and partnership-focused environment, for children, young people and families. The relocation would also support opportunities for enhanced Family Hub delivery, greater collaboration with partners and more efficient use of the Council’s estate, whilst avoiding the ongoing maintenance costs and operational challenges associated with operating Grove Hill Road as a standalone building.
Background
Tunbridge Wells Family Hub currently operates from 39a Grove Hill Road and provides information, advice, guidance, courses, targeted sessions and drop-in support for children, young people and families. The building is a converted Georgian town house over two floors, with limited space, small rooms, no lift access to the first floor and constraints on future expansion. The Amelia Scott is a central public-facing civic, cultural and community building on Mount Pleasant Road, approximately 0.4 miles from the current site, around a 10 minute walk. The proposed accommodation would provide a larger, more accessible open plan and flexible environment for Family Hub delivery, including opportunities for partner working such as health, and an enhanced local offer.
Options (other options considered but discarded)
Alternative options have been considered, including retaining the current Grove Hill Road site, moving to another KCC freehold building, co-locating in a different partner building, or moving to a newly leased building. These options have not been preferred because they do not address the limitations of the current building, are not currently deliverable in the required town centre location, would increase revenue costs, or would not support the Council’s estate and service delivery objectives.
How the proposed decision supports the Council’s Strategic Statement
The proposal supports the Council’s strategic approach by helping to make best use of KCC’s estate, maintaining access to services in a central and accessible location, supporting early help and family support, and enabling more joined-up working with partners. It is also consistent with the Council’s focus on financial sustainability, efficient use of buildings and resident-focused service delivery.
Decision type: Key
Decision status: For Determination
Notice of proposed decision first published: 03/11/2026
Decision due: Not before 2nd Dec 2026 by Cabinet Member for Integrated Children's Services
Reason: To allow 28 day notice period required under Executive Decision regulations
Lead member: Cabinet Member for Integrated Children's Services
Lead director: Ingrid Crisan
Department: Education & Young People's Services
Contact: Rebecca Anderson, Head of Business Information, Strategy and Assurance Rebecca Email: Anderson@kent.gov.uk.
Consultees
Public Consultation:
A six-week public consultation took place from 4 August 2026 to 15 September 2026 on the proposal to relocate Tunbridge Wells Family Hub services to The Amelia Scott. The consultation was hosted on Let’s Talk Kent with online, Word and hard copy response routes. Alternative formats were available on request. Consultation feedback has been analysed and will be used to update and finalise both the consultation report and the Equality Impact Assessment before they inform the final decision report.
Cabinet Committee consultation: The proposed decision is expected to be considered by the Children, Young People and Education Cabinet Committee on 26 November 2026.
Financial implications: The proposal would use recently vacated and available space at The Amelia Scott and avoid continuing to operate Grove Hill Road as a separate standalone site. Light refurbishment, fit-out and relocation expenditure is expected, including costs associated with rooms, signage, IT, storage and maintaining service continuity. The refurbishment and fit-out works are currently estimated at £165k, excluding professional fees and other associated costs, and will be funded from Infrastructure’s existing asset utilisation budget. Final costs will be confirmed following detailed design, including the consultation mitigations, with any associated revenue project delivery costs met from the same budget. A potential revenue saving may arise from site consolidation; Grove Hill Road currently has a 2026/27 revenue budget of £42,500, but its future use will be considered separately under the Council’s Property Management Protocol and Asset Management Strategy.
Legal implications: KCC must comply with its statutory responsibilities for children’s and Family Hub services, safeguarding duties, the Public Sector Equality Duty and the public-law requirements for lawful, rational and evidence-based decision-making.
Equalities implications: Equalities implications : An Equality Impact Assessment was prepared for the consultation and has been updated to reflect the consultation findings. Data Protection implications: Data protection implications will be considered as part of any decisions.