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.

The cabinet member environment and economy introduced the report. It was noted that this formed the next stage of the museum project and, as with the library project, these services would be designed to support wider connections across the county. The building would seek to achieve EnerPHit passive house environmental standards and would be a fantastic visitor attraction to add to the current offer.

Group leaders and representatives presented the comments and queries from their groups. The project was generally supported but there were concerns about the challenges of adapting and maintaining heritage buildings and the timescales to deliver the project.

It was resolved 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.