Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Decision Report

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1) Summary of Decision Area

1.1. This report seeks approval for an extension of the deadline. In order to enter into a lease with Hampshire County Council, Learning Links must raise sufficient monies to cover the costs of their proposals for the Treadgolds site. Learning Links were unable to raise requisite funds by the previously approved deadline of 1 December 2008. They hope to receive about 50% of their costs from the Big Lottery/ Community Asset Fund and the balance from the Charity Bank by way of a loan facility. It is therefore proposed to give them to 30 June 2009 to complete the raising of funds, at which time a lease between the County Council and Learning Links will be entered into.

1.2. This report seeks approval for ongoing assistance "in kind" to Learning Links once the lease and later, the formal transfer has been completed. It is envisaged, that such ongoing support will be delivered by the County Museums Service in partnership with Portsmouth City Museums Service, through the South East Hub grant panel, PUSH 4 Culture, Gosport Museum and Discovery Centre Management and Learning and various HCC teams.

1.3. This report seeks approval for the legal commitments required of Hampshire County Council by the Heritage Lottery Fund to facilitate the grant to Learning Links.

2) Issues Covered in Report

2.1. This report considers the progress made in the transfer of the Treadgolds Museum to Learning Links and the key milestones in achieving that transfer up to Junes 2009.

2.2. It also outlines the level of support to be provided by Hampshire County Council Museums Service after that leasehold and later, freehold transfer process has been completed.

2.3. It outlines the legal commitments required of Hampshire County Council.

3) Recommendations

It is recommended that:

3.1. That this report is noted and that the extension of the time period to 30 June 2009 is agreed.

3.2. That the type, level and mechanisms for delivery of the support for the project from the Museums Service is noted and agreed.

3.3. The legal commitments required by the Heritage Lottery Fund are agreed.

MAIN REPORT

1) Purpose of the Report

1.1. This report provides an update on the transfer of the Treadgolds Museum site to Learning Links (Southern) Ltd.

2) Contextual Information

2.1. Since the October 2006 report to the Executive Member for Policy and Resources, Learning Links has been one of only 37 organisations to secure, in principle, a grant of just under £1 million from the Community Assets fund. The grant to be used towards the transformation of the historic Treadgolds site into a Heritage Centre and Community Learning Hub. In addition, Learning Links has been working hard to raise additional funds to re-develop the Grade II listed buildings and bring them back into use for the benefit of the local community. Plans for the scheme, which received formal planning consent in the Autumn of 2008, include cost effective office space for small voluntary and community organisations, heritage space and display of artefacts, an education room, a community café, meetings and venue hire space, a gift shop and the re-introduction of a working Blacksmith's forge, offering opportunities for training and apprenticeships in trades and crafts. The expected completion of Phase I of the development programme is likely to be late 2010, early 2011. Hampshire County Council has pledged £250,000 from the sale of adjacent properties, along with a commitment of transferring the freehold to Learning Links. The project will be managed by Janet de Bathe, former Chief Executive of Learning Links, together with Portsmouth City Council who have agreed to provide help in kind support.

3) Key Issues

3.1. As part of the Community Assets Fund process, Learning Links has agreed a Partnership Agreement with Hampshire County Council in a form required by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The partnership agreement will not bind Hampshire County Council unless the grant is made.

3.2. Transfer of the Treadgolds site, originally scheduled for the Autumn of 2008, has been re-scheduled for June 2009 in order to allow Learning Links more time to obtain the additional funding required to undertake the project.

3.3. Hampshire County Council Museums Service has been asked by the Heritage Lottery Fund to specify details of the type of ongoing support it can provide to Learning Links as the project develops. The commitment to provide this support is contained in the Partnership Agreement. This will take the form of help in kind, curatorial, learning, access, curatorial and conservation, advice, delivered through the following existing partnership platforms:

· PUSH 4 Culture.

· South East Museums Hub sub regional grants panel.

· Gosport Museum and Discovery Centre area management, community and learning teams.

· HCC teams, such as Estates

3.4. In addition to the Partnership Agreement referred to above it is a requirement of the Heritage Lottery Fund grant that Hampshire County Council enters into a Deed of Dedication in respect of the Treadgolds site. In the Deed of Dedication Hampshire County Council is required to covenant that for the period of 10 years from the date of the grant it will not deal with the property in any way or use it for any purpose other that the purpose for which the grant was made without the consent of the Heritage Lottery Fund.

3.5. In the event of the Learning Links failing to complete the redevelopment of the Treadgolds site (resulting in the property reverting to Hampshire County Council.) the County Council would not be able to do anything with the property without the Heritage Lottery Fund's consent. While it is likely that this situation could be resolved by negotiation it is an inherent risk in supporting Learning Links' grant application.

4) Member Consultation

4.1 Councillor Thornber, Executive Member for Policy and Resources, has been consulted on the proposed extension of the time period to June 2009, and has confirmed his agreement to the extension.

5) Recommendations

5.1. That this report is noted and that the extension of the time period to June 2009 is agreed.

5.2. That the type, level and mechanisms for delivery of the support for the project from the Museums Service is noted and agreed.

5.3. The legal commitments required by the Heritage Lottery Fund are agreed.

CORPORATE OR LEGAL INFORMATION: