To seek cabinet agreement to sign off and submit the Stronger Towns Fund Full Business Cases for the Hereford Museum and Art Gallery Redevelopment Project and  Maylord Orchard Library and Learning Resource Centre Project; and to recommend to Council adjustments to the capital programme allocations for these projects.

Cabinet Members gave consideration to the report as set out in the agenda supplement pack, which asked for agreement to sign off and submit the Stronger Towns Fund Full Business Cases for the Hereford Museum and Art Gallery Redevelopment Project and Maylord Orchard Library and Learning Resource Centre Project; and to recommend to Council adjustments to the capital programme allocations for these projects.

The Cabinet Member for Commissioning, Procurement and Assets introduced the report and placed on record Cabinet’s appreciation to the officers involved in delivering the submissions. It was noted that:

·        Cultural development is considered a crucial post-Covid building block to promote economic growth and support physical and social recovery;

·        Herefordshire has traditionally underperformed in relation to its tourist potential and the Hereford Town Improvement Plan had identified in particular that the museum and art gallery were in urgent need of contemporary refreshment and upgrading;

·        The proposals for Maylord Orchards Library and Learning Resource Centre will create an ‘attractor’ to bring people into the city centre and improve the opportunities and wellbeing outcomes of the population through enhanced cultural facilities. These offerings carry ever-increasing importance in view of the decline in retail as the primary reason for people to visit city centres.

Cabinet Members discussed the report and sought reassurance that the existing museum and art gallery frontage would be preserved. It was confirmed that the front of the building is listed and therefore cannot be altered without specific approval. It was also queried why the existing museum viewing space is currently limited to just 10 people, which was explained to be as a result of fire regulation restrictions. It was noted that those with limited mobility cannot currently access exhibition viewing space at all, so the plans would reduce inequalities in this regard.

Group leaders and representatives presented comments and queries from their respective groups. There was general support for the submissions and it was noted that:

·        Recognising and monitoring the revenue implications of the projects would be critical in order to achieve the projected economic benefits and ensure that the necessary staffing capacity is in place to deliver the intended service model;

·        Expenditure will be carefully tracked and escalation procedures are in place to control overspends, which will be especially important at a time of rising inflation;

·        Accessibility for all visitors is a crucial consideration. Surveys have shown that the library escalator has reached the end of its intended useful life, and equality groups have reported that it can cause problems for those with disabilities. It is therefore intended that this will be replaced with a fully accessible lift, along with a possible option for a downstairs disabled access toilet facility.

It was resolved that:

a) The Full Business Case application for submission seeking Stronger Towns grant funding of £5m for Hereford Museum and Art Gallery project and £3m for Maylord Orchards Library and Learning Resource Centre project be approved;

b) An adjustment to the capital programme to fund the project from the capital receipts reserve of up to £8m for the Hereford Museum and Art Gallery project and up to £0.5m to the Maylord Orchards Library and Learning Resource Centre project be recommended to Council;

c) The project development funding of up to £160k offered by the Hereford Stronger Towns Board for the Hereford Museum and Art Gallery project and the Maylord Orchards Library and Learning Resource Centre project be accepted and expenditure approved;

d) The project development funding of up to £77k offered by the National Heritage Lottery Fund for the Hereford Museum and Art Gallery project be accepted and expenditure approved;

e) The Medium Term Financial Strategy budget setting process for 2023/24 and beyond include consideration of the operational revenue requirements for Hereford Museum and Art Gallery project and the Maylord Orchards Library and Learning Resource Centre project; and

f) Authority be delegated to the Corporate Director Economy and Environment, in consultation with the Cabinet Member Commissioning, Procurement and Assets and the Section 151 Officer to take all operational decisions in connection with both projects, including the commitment of funds for required technical works, and to commence the procurement of contractors on a design and build basis for the Hereford Museum and Art Gallery and the Maylord Orchards Library and Learning Resources Centre projects.