To agree the principle of Herefordshire Council investing in a project where the council is in partnership with Wye Valley Trust to enable the development of an Education Centre at Hereford County Hospital and to authorise the Director of Resources and Assurance in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Economy and Growth to sign heads of Terms for both parties to agree the principles and to further explore options around a strategic investment partnership and bring a business case back to cabinet for approval in the Autumn of 2023.

That:

a)    authority is delegated to the Director of Resources and Assurance in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Economy and Growth to sign Heads of Terms between Herefordshire Council and Wye Valley Trust for a partnership to enable development of an Education Centre at Hereford County Hospital;

b)    Cabinet authorises the development of an options appraisal to inform a full business case of an investment model most appropriate to allow the project to progress and bring that back to cabinet for further authorisation in autumn 2023; and

c)    authority is delegated to the Director of Resources and Assurance in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Economy and Growth to take all operational decisions relating to the above recommendations.

1.    To not agree to signing Head of Terms – this is not recommended as the council is committed to partnership working and exploring investment opportunities when they arise. If the Heads of Terms are not signed then this exploration will be delayed thus delaying the opportunity for the Education Centre to be built.