Pavilions and halls set to go to community groups

Sports pavilions, scout huts and community halls in Surrey are set to be handed over to local groups, with £5.7m to be awarded in grants.

Reigate and Banstead Borough Council said the move would allow communities to take over the buildings and benefit from them in the long term.

Fifteen organisations are being put forward to take on the buildings, with funding to help improve them, while nine others are set to receive grants for existing facilities.

A report on the scheme is due to be discussed by councillors on Thursday.

Beecholme Pavilion in Banstead is due to be transferred to Beecholme Belles Women and Girls Football Club.

Sovereign Youth Centre in Woodhatch is to be handed to YMCA East Surrey, while Chipstead Rugby Football Club Pavilion will go to Chipstead RFC.

Kingswood Village Hall and Nork Community Centre will go to local community associations.

At YMCA East Surrey, deputy chief executive Judith Brooks said the Sovereign Centre allowed the team "to deliver vital services" including pre-school, after-school and youth clubs.

She said having longer-term security would help them continue delivering services to families "for years to come".

Organisations due to receive grants include Age Concern Merstham, Reigate Priory Football Club and a scout group in Salfords.

Craig Wilson, chairman of Chipstead, Coulsdon and Walcountians Cricket Club, which is also expected to receive a grant, said they were "delighted", adding the funding would help the club expand and support its youth and women's sections.

Councillor Ben Green described it as a "brilliant scheme", adding: "It is right that we put those assets directly into the hands of the community."

He said the council had not been able to take every proposal forward but hoped to announce a follow-on small grants scheme.

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