Agenda item

It was noted that:

(a)  The current proposal for the introduction of changing facilities at Cippenham Village Green was to extend the existing Cippenham Community Centre.

(b)  That subject to approval, the extension would include a set of changing rooms, facing onto Cippenham Village Green, new community space part of which could provide a new location for 2nd Cippenham Scouts and the remainder likely to be for a Nursery operator or other.

(c)  Should agreement be reached with 2nd Cippenham Scouts for their relocation, the extension could allow for the existing Scout Hut to be demolished and the site to be remediated into Cippenham Village Green. The remediation would include a new car park serving users of the Village Green.

(d)  A report with a full business case would be presented to Cabinet in June 2016.

A report was considered on a proposal to extend the existing Cippenham Community Centre on Earls Lane to provide changing room facilities and additional community space.  The rear of the Community Centre would also be opened up to provide outdoor facilities and direct access to Cippenham Village Green by bridging the stream.  There was also potential to allow the relocation of the 2^nd Cippenham Scouts from their current location.  The Council was seeking to demolish Maria Cowland Hall, which was in a poor state of repair, and redevelop the site for housing development, subject to planning, with the community space re-provided at the Community Centre.  A correction was noted to paragraph 5.14 of the report that notice to Age Concern had been served to vacate Maria Cowland Hall by December 2016, with attempts to find alternative venues for their activity.  The budget provision had been made for the proposals in the Capital Programme approved by Council in February 2016.

The Cabinet welcomed the concept and discussed a number of aspects of the proposal including the benefits of the new facilities provided by the extension and bringing together local communities by bridging the stream.  Councillors Davis and Nora Holledge addressed the Cabinet as local ward Members and suggested how the new facilities could be used to maximise activity such as cricket on the green.  Commissioners commented that the detailed design and service specification of the extension would need to consider how best to meet the local need and uses.  More generally, the Cabinet discussed whether the proposal maximised the use of the site and it was noted that the scheme met current and anticipated future need but there could be further development at a later stage for other services or facilities if there was a business case.

At the conclusion of the discussion, the Cabinet noted the report and welcomed the proposal in principle.  It was agreed to consider a further report with the full business case in June 2016.

Resolved –

(a)  That it be noted that the current proposal for the introduction of changing facilities at Cippenham Village Green was to extend the existing Cippenham Community Centre.

(b)  That subject to approval, it be noted that the extension would include a set of changing rooms, facing onto Cippenham Village Green, new community space part of which could provide a new location for 2nd Cippenham Scouts and the remainder likely to be for a Nursery operator or other.

(c)  That should agreement be reached with 2nd Cippenham Scouts for their relocation, the extension could allow for the existing Scout Hut to be demolished and the site to be remediated into Cippenham Village Green. The remediation would include a new car park serving users of the Village Green.

(d)  That a report with a full business case would be presented to Cabinet in June 2016.