Esher’s Civic Heart – update on Civic Centre

28 January 2025 update: Due to Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation and the changes this will bring to Elmbridge as well as councils across Surrey and England, we have made the decision to have a short delay on the proposed report on the Civic Centre site in Esher from February Cabinet meeting to March’s meeting.

As you know, we have been working through business plans to assess the options for the Civic Centre site, either move to an existing office building and redevelop the Civic Centre land for housing or build a new Civic Centre on the same site and redevelop the land for housing. However, the probable changes to local government in Surrey and the pace of those changes mean that it is prudent to have a short delay in our report.

We remain committed to our vision for Esher as the civic heart of the borough. The Civic Centre site remains the key to unlocking that vision. When we engaged with local residents and businesses, you told us that any potential development of the Civic Centre should reflect the council’s commitment to visible, transparent, and accountable governance – we wholeheartedly support this, and this commitment has also contributed to our decision to delay.

We thank you for your patience and we will update you again when we know more about the pace of Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation in Surrey.

Cllr Mike Rollings, Leader, Elmbridge Borough Council

Cllr Simon Waugh, Deputy Leader, Elmbridge Borough Council

18 November 2024 update: Work is continuing on the options for the Civic Centre, either move to an existing office building and redevelop the Civic Centre land for housing or build a new Civic Centre on the same site and redevelop the land for housing.

We had planned to present these options to Cabinet in November and Council in December. However, we require additional time to thoroughly develop and cost the options to support the project business case. Consequently, the proposal will now be presented to Cabinet in February 2025.

18 September update: Cabinet approved this proposal. This will now go to October Council for final agreement.

With a new Elmbridge Cabinet established in May this year, it’s only prudent to return to Cabinet to provide an update on the options under consideration for the future of the Civic Centre, and its role within the Esher vision.

At Elmbridge’s September Cabinet meeting, Councillors will be discussing funding to evaluate the future of the Civic Centre building in Esher.

The Civic Centre serves Elmbridge Borough Council employees, Surrey Police, Elmbridge Citizens Advice, as well as two private companies renting space.

In November 2023, Councillors agreed with a residents consultation that in order to establish Esher as the civic heart of Elmbridge, the Civic Centre needs to be more accessible and integrated into the High Street; it needs to serve its employees, as well as its residents and contribute to the vitality of the high street.

In the last few months, exploration work has been undertaken to determine whether to construct a new Civic Centre or relocate to a building that better aligns with the services we offer residents, meets the needs of our employees, accommodates our partners, and allows for the most efficient use of space in a central town location.

In addition to the financials, assessments will consider the following:

• our contribution to the economy of Esher High Street
• our role as a key local employer
• our carbon neutral ambitions
• securing Surrey Police presence at a Civic Hub
• supporting the Esher Town Centre vision, including providing much needed play space
• implementing at a pace that minimises the disruption to our employees, partners, and our residents as user of the services we provide. 

Delivering much needed housing is a priority for Elmbridge Borough Council and the requirement for both town centre and affordable homes that meet local demands will also be considered as part of the future of the Civic Centre.

Following the Cabinet’s decision in September and Council’s decision in October, a further report will be presented to Cabinet in November for recommendation to December’s Council meeting.

For more information

You can read the September Cabinet report through our website.

The meeting on 18 September will also be webcast.