> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://elmbridgerecord.co.uk/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Elmbridge cabinet approves marketing of contaminated Claygate playing fields for leisure use - URL: https://elmbridgerecord.co.uk/elmbridge-cabinet-approves-marketing-of-contaminated-claygate-playing-fields-for-leisure-use/ - Published: 2026-10-01T15:05:58.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-01T15:05:58.000Z - Author: The Record - Tags: Minutes - Cabinet approved marketing the contaminated Oaken Lane playing fields in Claygate for leisure use, with an Informal Member Steering Group to assess bids; remediation costs have been estimated at up to £1.7 million. - Authority was delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive to award contracts for three new or renewed Splashpad facilities at Hersham, Molesey Hurst and Cobham, from a £2.2 million budget, targeting completion before the 2027 summer season. - Cabinet approved commencement of the Elmbridge Local Plan 2039 process, with a statutory Notice of Commencement to be published by 31 December 2026 and a public scoping consultation planned for November–December 2026. - The Leader confirmed Surrey's Local Government Reorganisation will proceed as planned, with Elmbridge Borough Council ceasing on 31 March 2027 and the new East Surrey Council taking over on 1 April 2027. - The Council recorded a £450,000 revenue underspend in Quarter 1 of 2026/27, while the Capital Programme was £2,239,000 over the profiled budget at 30 June 2026. Elmbridge Borough Council's Cabinet has approved a plan to market the Oaken Lane playing fields site in Claygate for leisure and recreational use, following years of failed attempts to remediate land that was left unsuitable for sport after significantly more soil was imported onto it than planning permission allowed. The Council regained possession of the site in June 2026 after the Trustees of the Elmbridge Eagles Rugby League Club surrendered their lease. The Cabinet agreed to delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive to market the site, with an Informal Member Steering Group to be consulted on bids received. The Deputy Chief Executive will also be empowered — in consultation with the Leader, the Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Commercial Strategy, the Monitoring Officer and the Head of Finance — to accept the bid that best reflects the Council's aspirations for the site. During discussion, members raised concerns about the estimated remediation costs of up to £1.7 million and questioned whether any bidder would be willing to take on such liabilities. The Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Commercial Strategy, Simon Waugh, said the Council was not seeking a significant capital receipt and would only proceed if a financially acceptable outcome could be achieved. He expressed confidence that credible leisure operators had already made early approaches and that a viable solution close to break-even was achievable. The Portfolio Holder for Housing raised concerns that those responsible for the contamination had not been held to account. Mr Waugh explained that the Council had pursued all available legal avenues but had ultimately been advised that further action was unlikely to succeed. The Cabinet agreed that safeguards would be embedded in any disposal to restrict the site to leisure use in perpetuity. The Cabinet also approved authority for the Deputy Chief Executive to award contracts for three Splashpad projects across the Borough, funded from a £2.2 million budget. The projects comprise the renewal of the existing Splashpad at Hersham Recreation Ground and new facilities at Molesey Hurst Recreation Ground and Leg O' Mutton Field in Cobham. The improvements are intended to be delivered in time for the 2027 summer season. A further significant decision saw the Cabinet approve commencement of work on the Elmbridge Local Plan 2039, in compliance with new 2026 planning regulations requiring local planning authorities to publish a Notice of Commencement by 31 December 2026\. Although Elmbridge will cease to exist as a council on 31 March 2027, with Vesting Day for the new East Surrey Council on 1 April 2027, the Portfolio Holder for Planning argued that developing a strong evidence base would provide a valuable legacy for the incoming authority. A public scoping consultation is scheduled to run from 4 November to 9 December 2026, with a Gateway 1 Assessment to be submitted by 16 February 2027. The Leader confirmed in his announcements that the Secretary of State had on 7 September 2026 affirmed that Surrey's Local Government Reorganisation programme would continue and would not be subject to the pause applied in other areas. On the budget, the Cabinet noted a revenue underspend of £450,000 against the profiled budget at the end of Quarter 1, driven largely by higher-than-expected investment income, increased income from investment properties and off-street parking, and savings from Borough Elections not taking place. The Capital Programme was £2,239,000 over the profiled budget at the same date. The Cabinet also approved the award and extension of a number of existing Council contracts requiring Section 24 approval from the East Surrey Shadow Executive, in line with Local Government Reorganisation procurement guidance. Contracts with a total value exceeding £100,000 will be submitted to the Shadow Executive for approval. Two Cabinet members — Kirsty Hewens and Ashley Tilling — declared at the outset that they were elected members of East Surrey Council and served on the Shadow Authority's Executive, but confirmed they would act in the best interests of Elmbridge Borough Council in reaching their decision.