To seek in principle approval for the following:

That the council act as the lead organisation for the improvement programme including bids for external funding.

The allocation of capital expenditure funded by prudential borrowing for a capital investment and improvement programme at the Courtyard Centre for the Arts.

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The council is looking to support the Courtyard in seeking external funding to develop the site.  This will enable the Courtyard to be more economically stable in the long term and support the economic development of the county through tourism and culture along with contributing to the social value of the county in attracting people to work and live in Herefordshire.

The council is being asked to underwrite this support in the context of a bid being made by the Courtyard for funding to the Arts Council of England.  The recommendations will show the commitment the council has to the development scheme with a further decision on the council’s financial support to be taken in the event that Arts Council funding is approved.