To approve the procurement of a contractor to complete the remaining elements of RIBA stage 4 (construction design), and subject to the outcome being within the available budget, the construction phase of the project thereafter (up to RIBA stage 7). To accept and approve expenditure of the additional £750,000 from Arts Council England.

That:

a) The Corporate Director Community Wellbeing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community Services and Assets, be given delegated authority to procure and award a contract to a contractor to complete the remaining elements of RIBA stages 4 (construction design) of the Hereford Museum and Art Gallery project and then commission up to RIBA stage 7 (practical completion) up to the project budget as

defined in the capital programme;

b) accept £750,000.00 funding offered from Arts Council England and approve expenditure of the grant funding following the amendment to the capital programme budget for the Hereford Museum and Art Gallery project;

c) the Corporate Director Community Wellbeing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community Services and Assets be delegated authority to make all operational decisions required, including the expenditure of all remaining capital funding (including any additional funding secured from external providers), to progress the Hereford

Museum and Art Gallery project to RIBA 7; and

d) the S151 Officer be delegated authority, to accept any additional funding and adjust the capital programme for Hereford Museum and Art Gallery redevelopment project if

additional funding is secured from external providers.

1. Not to progress the project. This is not recommended as it would mean the significant economic challenges identified in the Hereford Town Investment Plan would not be addressed, and the city/county would lose the additional £10.8 million external funding that has been secured.