To accept and spend the development funding offered by the Hereford Stronger Towns Board in support of the proposed provision of a new library and learning resource centre in Maylord Orchards.  To approve the commencement of the procurement of a project design team required to lead the technical development of the project.

That:

a)    To accept and approve expenditure of up to £150,000 project development funding offered by the Hereford Stronger Towns Board in support of the Maylord Orchard Library and Learning and Resource Centre project;

b)    To delegate all operational decisions to the Director for Community and Wellbeing in consultation with the Cabinet Member for commissioning, procurement and assets in commissioning the technical support required to develop the project up to the total value of project development funding offered by the Hereford Stronger Towns Board; and;

c)    To procure a specialist project management and design team to lead the development and implementation of the project.  Appointment of the selected contractor(s) will be phased, initially up to the value of the Stronger Towns Project Development funding (up to £150,000) and thereafter subject to Full Council’s approval to add the project to the capital programme in February 2022 and a separate key cabinet member decision to spend these funds.

1.             The council could choose to not accept the project development funding offered by the Stronger Towns Board.  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 Fund grants.  Failure to meet the required timescales or information requirements for these funds would prevent the proposed project from progressing.