Issue - meetings

Report of the Director of Planning and Property attached.  

Decision made (Unanimously):

1.    That Cabinet notes the proposals for the enhance Option 1 proposals as outlined in Appendix 2.

2.    That Cabinet approves the drawing up of detailed capital costings for the proposed works.

3.    That Cabinet receives an updated report detailing the capital costs of works and updated business plan at the February 2020 Cabinet meeting.

The Cabinet Member (Finance, Property and Assets), Councillor Matthew Tomlinson, presented a report of the Director of Planning and Property that updated Cabinet in recommendations arising from the officer working group to develop an enhanced Option 1 proposal for Worden Hall.

The business plan had also been reviewed to ensure that the proposals are costed and can be delivered without the need for ongoing revenue subsidy from the Council. Some of the capital costs had not yet been received so a further update report would need to come back to Cabinet in February.

The Cabinet Member outlined the proposals that included, an extended café space to be relocated from the stables to the ground floor of the Derby Wing, the stables and hayloft to be re-purposed as a bar and green room, with a hoist to provide access to the first floor, along with a foyer to support the event space, and utilisation of the Marsden Room for weddings and events.

Project management skills would be strengthened through ensuring that the right professional skills are commissioned were appropriate.

In response to a query raised by a member of the public, the Cabinet Member clarified that the aim of project and spend was to prevent the Grade II listed building from falling into further disrepair and ensuring that the asset was fit for purpose for use by the local community, a view that many residents shared in the recent consultation exercise on the future of the Hall.

Decision made (Unanimously):

1.    That Cabinet notes the proposals for the enhanced Option 1 proposals as outlined in Appendix 2.

2.    That Cabinet approves the drawing up of detailed capital costings for the proposed works.

3.    That Cabinet receives an updated report detailing the capital costs of works and updated business plan at the February 2020 Cabinet meeting.

Reason(s) for the decision:

To determine whether the Council wishes to proceed with the plans for Worden Hall subject to agreeing acceptable capital costs for the works.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

The Council could choose not to develop Worden Hall. This is not recommended as the feedback from the public consultation strongly supported the Council investing in the Hall and bringing it back into use.