Update on Walton and Cobham Community Centres
In mid-April the Elmbridge cabinet approved a Community Asset Transfer of the Walton Centre for the Community, Manor Road, Walton-on-Thames and Cobham Centre for the Community, Oakdene Road, Cobham
This will mean transferring ownership of the buildings to Walton Charity, allowing us to invest directly in improvements and develop them as welcoming, thriving community hubs.
Rob Mills, chief executive of Walton Charity, said: “As a charitable foundation operating in Elmbridge for over 800 years, Walton Charity shares deep ties with our local community. Owning Walton and Cobham community centres would allow us to invest directly in the buildings, helping to develop them into welcoming, sustainable community hubs which respond to local needs and are financially secure for the future. Our current plans involve providing seed funding for the first three years to local organisations to help run the community hubs, alongside undertaking some refurbishment works within the centres.”
The full report is available as part of the Council’s April Cabinet meeting papers.
For further information, visit Elmbridge Borough Council.
Monday 27th April 2026
In recent months, Walton Charity and Elmbridge Borough Council have been working together to help realise our Community Hub vision for Walton and Cobham.
Walton Charity's data-led approach helps ensure that our services are shaped around real local experiences, and our research has revealed growing need in Walton and Cobham. This aligns closely with Elmbridge’s Connected Communities approach, which focuses on supporting more people in need in our borough.
At an Elmbridge Cabinet meeting on 16th April, Council Members will consider a proposal to strengthen the way Elmbridge Borough Council and Walton Charity work together to support local communities.
As part of this, Members will consider a Community Asset Transfer of the Walton Centre for the Community, Manor Road, Walton-on-Thames and Cobham Centre for the Community, Oakdene Road, Cobham
This would mean transferring ownership of the buildings to Walton Charity, allowing us to invest directly in improvements and develop them as welcoming, thriving community hubs.
As Elmbridge prepares for local government reorganisation and the creation of East Surrey Council from April 2027, putting community hubs on secure, long‑term footing is an important part of supporting residents and local communities.
The full report will be available as part of the Council’s April Cabinet meeting papers.
For further information, visit Elmbridge Borough Council.
Monday 8th April 2026