£7.95m Codsall Community Hub plans backed by councillors
Work on a £7.95 million community hub in Codsall could start next year after plans to bring services together on one site were backed by senior councillors.
The Codsall Community Hub project is set to bring a GP surgery, NHS community outreach teams and police to South Staffordshire Council’s Wolverhampton Road headquarters.
The plans also include the relocation of the village library, which is already on-site, into a new building and more than 70 extra car parking spaces, as well as refurbishment of the existing facilities and a redesign of the council chamber.
On Tuesday the district council’s cabinet backed the project. But the go-ahead will have to be officially given at a full council meeting next Tuesday.
A cabinet report said: “The community hub project proposes to invest in the council’s headquarters, including a full refurbishment, new build and increased car parking. This will see specialist teams from across the public, health, private and voluntary sectors co-located together.
“This in turn aims to improve service integration for those supporting the district’s most vulnerable residents, helping improve outcomes and improving efficiencies. The Hub will see the introduction of a GP surgery, NHS community outreach teams and increased police presence; all helping reduce taxpayer spend on the wider estate by condensing multiple buildings into one.
“Space will be available for local businesses including retail and offices through the Council’s Business Hub, creating an environment for local business to grow. Residents will benefit with access to public services on one site, in a modern environment with good transport links into both the local settlements and wider conurbation.
“Fundamentally, investment in the council’s building will secure its long term future and staff will work in a modern agile collaborative environment. For the local community, Codsall Community Hub will be a place to socialise, learn, work, access services, dine, shop and socialise.
“This project is an opportunity to leave a legacy building for our future communities.”
In September 2018 the council agreed to take the project forward to a “developed design” stage and in July members were given the opportunity to see images and ask questions.
Tuesday’s meeting was told that work could begin on the hub in February 2020. It would take around 18 months to build, meaning the hub could be handed over to the council in September 2021.
The predicted annual income from the hub once it is completed is £567,830, which includes existing income from tenants, the cabinet report said. But this has been revised downward from last year’s predicted figure of £727,212 – mainly due to a reduction in tenanted space.
Leader Councillor Brian Edwards, speaking at Tuesday’s cabinet meeting, said: “This is one of the biggest projects we have had in this district and it is a very exciting one.
“I think after all the work and meetings we have had we are itching to go – the sooner the better. I hope on Tuesday we get it approved.”
