Issue - meetings

This report outlines the progress made in respect of the Council’s 2025-2027 Strategic Priority 4, in relation to Community Assets and Priority 7, relating to Bourne Hall Museum Service.

It provides an update on the completed Community Asset Review Phase 2 work, which focusses on the 3 key Community Assets (Bourne Hall, Epsom Playhouse and Community & Wellbeing Centre) and seeks agreement on the strategic direction for each asset, as well as approval of investment and quick wins packages.

The paper also provides an update on the Strategic Priority 4 relating to the Museum, further to a paper considered by the Community & Wellbeing Committee in June 2026, recommending an initial investment in the museum.

It also recommends combining the two workstreams , to ensure that a comprehensive and integrated approach is taken going forward, to both achieve best value and deliver a stronger offer to residents.

Following consideration, the committee resolved by the Chair’s casting vote (with the previous voting being tied with 4 votes for and 4 votes against) to:

(1)        Note the updates contained within both this report and the Community Asset Review June 2026 (Appendix 2 to the report).

(2)        Approve the strategic direction for the three key assets, namely;

(2.1) Bourne Hall, Ewell - development of an integrated civic and cultural hub held by a local authority, improving connectivity between the library, museum, café, events and community functions.

(2.2) The Playhouse, Epsom – commence preparatory transition work towards an independent charitable trust operating model, supported by targeted investment to improve flexibility, programming and commercial performance.

(2.3) Community & Wellbeing Centre, Ewell - partnership-led delivery model, with rationalisation of the site and consideration of future co-location opportunities where appropriate.

(3)        Note the update on Bourne Hall Museum and approve the recommendation of the Community & Wellbeing Committee, for an initial investment of £125,000 in this financial year (Year 1) as set out in the attached business case (Appendix 3 to the report) and approve £125,000 for a further investment in year 2 that will be built into a future business case for the wider Bourne Hall, noting the requirements of the section 24 Local Government and Public Health Involvement Act 2007 direction.

(4)        Agree to combine the workstreams supporting Priority 4 (Community Asset review) and Priority 7 (Museum Service Review) to achieve best value, best use of resources and to ensure a comprehensive and integrated approach.

(5)        Agree a capital budget of £3m for capital investment to deliver critical works aligned to the priorities set out in the Community Asset Review, with a detailed business plan to return to the relevant Committee for approval, noting the requirements of the section 24 Local Government and Public Health Involvement Act 2007 direction

(6)        Approve a budget of up to £80,000 to support the development of the detailed business plan for (5) above, noting the requirements of the section 24 Local Government and Public Health Involvement Act 2007 direction.

(7)        Note a package of operational ‘quick wins’ will be delivered in line with the approach set out in the Community Asset Review, subject to resource and funding availability. Should further funding be required, this will be developed into a future funding request.

(8)        To recommend to the East Surrey Shadow Authority that any consent required to comply with the section 24 direction be provided to any of the relevant budgetary decisions as set out above.