To approve the acceptance of the Stronger Towns £3m funding, and to approve the full expenditure of £3.5m related to the completion of the design stage of the project, the appointment of a Design and Build contractor following procurement, and the implementation of the library and learning resource centre project.

That:

a) To accept the £3m (capital) of Stronger Towns funding offered by government,

b) To approve the full £3.5m of expenditure required to complete the design stage and

implementation of the library and learning resource centre,

c) Authority is delegated to the Corporate Director for Economy and Environment, in

consultation with the Deputy Section 151 Officer and the Cabinet Member

Commissioning, Procurement and Assets, to make all operational decisions required to complete the design stage of the project, appoint a Design and Build contractor

following the conclusion of the procurement process, and to implement the delivery of

the library and learning resource centre project

1. Not to progress the project, or implement the decision to spend in relation to funding which has been awarded to Herefordshire Council by Stronger Towns. This would mean the significant economic challenges identified in the Hereford Town Investment Plan would not be addressed.

2. The project is scaled back to a reduced funding envelope. It is unlikely the scale of change required could be achieved from a project so significantly reduced in scale.

3. The council could seek alternative funding. The council has already approved the submission of the Stronger Towns business case and funding has been awarded. In addition, the council has amended the capital programme and approved a £0.5m funding contribution from capital receipts reserve. No other funding routes of the scale required are available at this time.