Purpose

In November 2021 Executive approved the
Merstham Recreation Ground Master Plan and £1.6m of funding
for phase 1 works.

Executive also authorised the Head of Place Delivery in
consultation with the Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services
and the Executive Member for Planning and Place Delivery to alter
the scope of works as necessary, should further project funding be
secured.

Since Executive’s decision, the Council has secured
£1.830 of additional funding, that has been added to the
capital programme.

The Council has let a contract to deliver phase 1 of the works
which are due to be completed by February 2025.

Following consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Place,
Planning and Regulatory Services and the Executive Member for
Executive Member for Environment and Sustainability, additional
works have previously been instructed, which are in accordance with
the Executive decision in 2021 in relation to phase 2 works.
Specifically, this included the instruction for our appointed
contractor to refurbish the MUGA and Tennis court.

Following further consultation with the respective Executive
members the following allocation of monies have been agreed to be
funded out of the Project’s capital budget:

Capital Cost
1. Pitch improvement works

A one-off capital contribution to undertake works to improve the
quality of the existing pitches at Merstham Rec to enable more
intensive use, in line with the Council’s planning
submission.
Maximum £50,000

2. Albury Road entrance

Undertake improvements to the currently unauthorised car parking
area in the Rec to create a new hard landscaped area with seating
and to install demountable bollards to restrict unauthorised
incursion.
£30,000

3 Signage

To install new signage and interpretive boards. £20,000

4 Existing Pavilion

To strip out the existing changing rooms and make improvements for
it to be used for storage for clubs and/or the greenspace team.
£20,000

5 Trees

To plant additional trees along the main northern pedestrian route,
to the south of Merstham Football Club. £15,000

6 Footpath

To resurface the footpath directly to the north of Merstham Rec.
£25,000

Total £160,000

Reason for Decision: To enable further enhancements to Merstham Rec
to promote sport, activity, health and wellbeing for residents,
using the (external) funding secured for the project.

Decision

As Head of Place Delivery, I authorise the
allocation of funding and the instruction of additional works to
Merstham Recreation Ground, which will be funded from the external
funding that the Council has secured.