Tandridge District Councillors will now cast the final vote on whether the Soper Hall in Caterham should be run by a community group or by Caterham Baptist Church on 21 July.
The Council’s Resource Committee considered that the bid by the Caterham Baptist Church has the greatest chance of success and is the least risky but it also recognised the support of residents and councillors for the bid from the Soper Hall Community Centre Limited.
SHCCL aims to manage the Hall as a community centre and rival bidder Caterham Baptist Church is looking for new premises to develop its activities, as its Beechwood Road site is not large enough.
The Church has vowed that the Soper Hall could also be used for community use although its primary activity would be for church activities.
Tandridge District Council has agreed to provide up to £100,000 matched funding over two years to either organisation, on the understanding the Caterham and Warlingham Citizens Advice Bureau, Tandridge Voluntary Service Council and Lions Talking Newspaper would continue to be based at the building.
In addition, Surrey County Council has approached Tandridge District Council and would like to explore the potential for setting up a public services Hub in the building, similar to the one in Oxted.
The Soper Hall used to be the council offices until it moved to Oxted in 1974.
“This is an incredibly complex decision to make, we have discussed it four times at Committee and during this process have considered a lot of detailed information and rejected a number of alternatives,” said chairman of the Resources Committee, Councillor Martin Fisher.
“Both options are viable as presented and would provide a future for the Soper Hall as a community centre. Whatever the outcome, we need to make sure we have made the best decision for the community and have secured the building for the community.”
Community bid
SHCCL is to hold a two-day open event on Friday 8 July and Saturday 9 July to explain its community strategy to residents and will be writing to residents as part of its final push.
Councillor Sally Marks is fully behind the bid from SHCCL.
“Thousands of people have now signed the Petition to Save the Soper Hall. There can’t be a better example of ‘Localism’ than the community itself working together to ensure that the largest conurbation in the District of Tandridge can secure its own community space for this generation and for generations to come.
“I am so pleased that Surrey County Council wants also to be involved in this exciting project and may be able to contribute by providing the Caterham Library within the Soper Hall — thus ensuring a sustainable and secure future for our local library service as well. Another example of excellent ‘partnership working’.”
She added: “I am sure that the Tandridge District Councillors, when they understand the strength of feeling amongst Caterham residents, will want to support this community scheme — and will indeed be envious of the good community feeling that now exists here in this previously somewhat neglected area of Tandridge.
“If we lose the Soper Hall now, the community will lose out forever — but I am quietly confident that all elected Tandridge District councillors will see the merit of listening to the people and doing something really positive — saving the Soper Hall for all the people of Caterham.”
Former Eastenders star Lucy Speed, who played Natalie Price, will be at the Soper Hall lending her support to the community campaign over the weekend.
