Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Leisure & Culture

RESOLVED

i)     To approve the building of a community facility and nursery at Highwood.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

ii)    To approve a capital budget of £2.75m for this purpose, allocated £2.5m in 2022/23 and £250,000 in 2023/4.

REASON

i)     To provide community facilities in accordance with the Land West of Horsham Masterplan 2008.

Councillor Roger Noel, Cabinet Member for Leisure & Culture, gave a summary of the report, which outlined the business case for the construction of a new community centre and nursery in Highwood, West Horsham.  He summarised the extensive work that had gone into preparing the proposal, including a review of existing facilities, a review of daytime users, including nurseries, to secure an income stream and consultation with local residents.   Councillor Noel drew attention to the financial aspects of the scheme, as set out in the report; the recommendation to approve the scheme was on social grounds rather than its financial merits.

Christian Mitchell, Cabinet Member for Horsham Town, and Liz Kitchen, Cabinet Member for Community Matters, both spoke in wholehearted support of the proposal.  It was noted that Local Members were also supportive of the proposal.

RESOLVED

i)     To approve the building of a community facility and nursery at Highwood.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

ii)    To approve a capital budget of £2.75m for this purpose, allocated £2.5m in 2022/23 and £250,000 in 2023/4.

REASON

i)     To provide community facilities in accordance with the Land West of Horsham Masterplan 2008.