To approve up to £1.5m of the expenditure required to instruct the technical project manager and design team to complete the detailed design stage of the project and any related work required to support the development of the full business case including seeking planning and all related regulatory approvals such as listed building consent.

That:

a)    The redevelopment of the Hereford Museum and Art Gallery to create a new high quality visitor attraction project is approved;

b)   Expenditure of up to £1.5m of the Hereford Museum and Art Gallery (HMAG) redevelopment capital programme allocation be approved to complete the detailed design stage of the project including seeking planning permission; and

c)    The Director for Community and Wellbeing, following consultation with Deputy Section 151 Officer, 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 £1.5m 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, building condition surveys and specialist heritage advice required to seek the Stronger Towns or National Heritage Lottery Fund grants.  Failure to meet the required timescales or information requirements for these funds would prevent the proposed project from progressing.