Developing a thriving Camberley Town Centre

Surrey Heath Borough Council has confirmed its commitment to developing and marketing Camberley as a vibrant and sustainable town by pledging up to £25,000 per year to the Camberley Town Centre Partnership for the next three years.

At a meeting of the Borough Council's Executive on Tuesday, March 13, it was agreed that the Council make a financial contribution of up to £25,000 per annum, for three years, to the partnership. This money will be funded from the £660,000 'Section 106 contribution' which The Atrium's developer Crest Nicholson has to give as part of the development package.

In May 2006 it was agreed that as the land formerly known as 'Land West of Park Street' is transformed with The Atrium development, the time was right to consider how the wider town centre could be developed further for the future benefit of all. At this time The Executive resolved that establishing an effective independent partnership between businesses, statutory agencies and local people and appointing a Town Centre Manager was the best way forward and that the Borough Council would take the lead in doing this.

Since then the Borough Council's Director of Customer Services Chas Bradfield has been working to establish the independent partnership and so far funding and assistance pledges have been received from the following organisations:

- Surrey Heath Borough Council
- Mall Corporation
- Crest Nicholson
- Standard Life
- Accent Peerless Housing Association
- Thames Valley Housing Association
- Camberley Society
- Surrey Police
- Riseden Ltd
- Herrington & Carmichael LLP

Representatives from these organisations have now met three times as the Partnership and a document outlining the objectives of the partnership has been agreed. It is anticipated that formal governance of the partnership will be in place shortly and a Town Centre Manager will be appointed during this summer. One of the manager's key initial tasks will be to produce a business plan and begin work on making the partnership sustainable in the future, as well as working for the benefit of the town.

Corporate Portfolio Holder Cllr Richard Brooks, who oversees Camberley Town Centre, said: "The partnership is independent and aims to develop and market a clear identity for Camberley and generate a feeling of safety and security in the town. It is intended the partnership will ensure Camberley is a place of choice for employment, homes, shopping and entertainment."

He continued: "To achieve this we need to have committed key partners, a funded viable partnership and a Town Centre Manager who would be employed on a three year contract. Good progress has already been made on attracting partners and funding however we are keen to hear from any organisations or businesses which are interested in becoming an influential part of this exciting initiative. It is estimated approximately £60,000 is needed to get the partnership up and running in its first year."

For more information or to become involved with the partnership call Chas Bradfield on 01276 707214 or email him at Chas.Bradfield@surreyheath.gov.uk.

Section 106 agreements legally require developers to provide adequate infrastructure to support a development.

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Ref: News 407

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