To approve up to £0.45m of the expenditure required to instruct the technical project manager and design team to complete the detailed design stage and works required to develop the full business case of the Maylord Orchard Library and Learning Resource Centre project including seeking planning and all related regulatory approvals.

That:

a)    The redevelopment of Maylord Orchards to create a new library and learning resource centre project is approved;

b)    Expenditure of up to £0.45m of the Maylord Orchard Library and Learning Resource Centre project capital programme allocation be approved to complete the detailed design stage of the project including seeking planning permission,; and

c)    The Corporate Director for Community and Wellbeing, following consultation with the Deputy Section 151 Officer and in consultation with the Cabinet member commissioning, procurement and assets, be authorised take all operational decisions necessary to complete the detailed design stage and seek planning approval within the £0.45m approved budget.

1.             Do nothing – The council could choose to not approve the expenditure.  However, this would mean we would be unable to seek the technical support such as architects, and building condition surveys required to seek the Stronger Towns grant.  Failure to meet the required timescales or information requirements for the Stronger Towns funds would prevent the proposed project from progressing.