Library flats could be used to house homeless

Stoneleigh Community Library is run by Surrey County Council

A borough council is preparing to take on a lease for two maisonettes above a library to accommodate homeless people.

Epsom and Ewell Borough Council is looking for more temporary accommodation, and says demand is "acute".

Stoneleigh Community Library, run by Surrey County Council, has two self-contained two-bedroom maisonettes above it.

Council documents show the flats have been refurbished by the county council and "will require minimal preparation" before being used as "much-needed temporary accommodation".

Epsom and Ewell's strategy and resources committee is set make a decision on Tuesday night over an underlease of the building from the county council, which leases it from a private landlord.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service revealed in October that the borough council was set to overspend on its £1.5m budget for temporary accommodation for homeless people.

It was also sometimes having to put people up temporarily in a Travelodge, when no other accommodation was available, at a cost of around £140 per night.

Councillors will consider approving a budget of up to £15,000 for the plans.

This would cover £5,000 legal costs and a contribution to the county council for getting approval from the landlord, and a £10,000 contingency to prepare the flats.