Celebrations have been taking place at the Soper Hall in Caterham today following last night's decisive vote to decide who should take over the hall. Councillors voted to transfer the hall to the Soper Hall Community Centre Limited (SHCCL) for the group to develop and run the building as a community facility.

Options from the Caterham Baptist Church and the SHCCL for the future management of the Soper Hall were considered at the Resources Committee on 30th June, but the final decision was deferred to Council on 21st July for all councillors to decide which group should take over the hall. At the meeting a petition from the SHCCL was presented by its Chairman, Graham Tapley. Following this, Councillor Jane Ingham put forward a motion to transfer the Soper Hall to SHCCL. This was put to the vote and carried. A report about the details of the transfer, including the terms of the legal agreement, will be considered by the Resources Committee on 13th October.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Gordon Keymer, said: "During this process we have considered a lot of detailed information. Doing nothing was not an option, but the final two proposals were both viable as presented and offered a tangible future for the Soper Hall. It was appropriate for the final decision to be made by all councillors. Local support for the Soper Hall Community Centre group has been very strong and we feel we have made the best decision by securing the building for the widest possible community benefit."

Following the vote, Caterham Baptist Church issued a statement saying: "Caterham Baptist Church welcomes the fact that the Council has taken a clear decision regarding the Soper Hall. We wish the Soper Hall Community Centre Limited every success in their endeavours to bring to fruition their plans for the Hall's future use. We had asked God to guide us very clearly by opening or closing doors for us in relation to the Soper Hall. We are, therefore, happy to accept a closed door as the answer to our prayers and as God's direction for us at this time.

"We shall resume our search for an appropriate solution that will enable us to relieve the pressure on our current accommodation and continue our on-going programme of serving the community through our corporate life as a church family."

Talking about what happens next, Graham Tapley, Chairman of the Soper Hall Group, said: "The next thing is to get the local framework in place and from today we start serious fundraising. We need to raise £100,000 and I am absolutely confident that we will succeed."

Chris Windridge, chairman of Caterham's ABC group that founded the SHCCL, said: "Well done to Graham Tapley and his extensive team for the huge amount of effort they have put in to 'Save the Soper Hall' for the community. Thanks must go to Tandridge District Council led by Gordon Keymer and the councillors across Tandridge who supported us and not forgetting the huge numbers of supporters from Caterham and nearby. This has been the biggest community vote in years."