Agenda item

To request funding in support of a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) Bid by the Hampshire Cultural Trust (HCT) for the implementation of a development project at the former Grammar School Building in Gosport High Street.

Consideration was given to the report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration requesting funding in support of a Heritage Lottery Fund (HFL) bid by the Hampshire Cultural Trust (HCT) for the implementation of a development project at the former Grammar School Building in Gosport High Street.

Members welcomed the report and that it would bring artistic and cultural opportunities to the Borough.

Members acknowledged that there would be a requirement for approval at further stages  in order for the project to be delivered.

Members commended the work of the facility in bringing national exhibitions to the Borough and welcomed the provision of artist studios, which were much needed.

It was confirmed that a contribution equating to  27% of the total required funding had been agreed by Hampshire County Council .

Members welcomed that support for the proposals was cross party and cross Council and recognised the value of the proposal. Members welcomed the opportunities that it would provide for young people through training and experiences, particularly given the negative socio-economic profile of the town and that of 35 lower output areas in Gosport, 20 are in the 20% most deprived nationally in terms of  education, skills and training.

Members welcomed the proposal included improved provision to link with the Discovery Centre and felt that the current facility was often under advertised to those in the Borough and those residents underused the facility. Members agreed that better marketing of the facility would be required moving forward and that provision had been made within the proposal budget for this.

In answer to a Member’s question, the Board was advised that no funds had been committed to the project to date but  if the bid was unsuccessful at stage 2, all monies provided at the Development Stage would be lost, including the £20,000 contribution proposed from Gosport Borough Council. Members accepted the risk presented and acknowledged the importance of the proposal in protecting the building for the future.

Members recognised the importance of the naval heritage collection on the site.

Members were advised that there were currently issues in giving access to wheelchair users to the first floor, but that a lift was proposed as part of the redevelopment.

In answer to a Member’s question, the Board was advised that the Trust hoped to run a cultural heritage  qualification and would employ an officer to help support the delivery of this and the activity plan for the site. The Board was advised that the British Museum had led on a similar scheme.

Members also welcomed the opportunity for the facility to link in with the cultural heritage at other museums located in Gosport.

RESOLVED: That

i)         that the Council endorses the Round 1 bid to the HLF by the HCT in the sum of £950,300 towards an overall £2,090,300 project to develop the Old Grammar School into a multi-purpose cultural hub, noting that the requested financial commitment from GBC should the full scheme bid be approved, is a capital contribution of £100,000 in total;

ii)        that the Borough Treasurer advises that whilst the overall Capital Resources and associated Capital Programme has yet to be revised for the current year and proposed for 2019/20 onwards, a future capital commitment of £80,000 (see recommendation 3 below) is expected to be affordable within the capital resources available to the Council after taking account of all other known essential capital investment requirements;

iii)      that the P & O Board approve an allocation of the initial £20,000 (of the total £100,000 commitment) towards the Round 1 bid, to be funded from within the overall Board budget;

iv)      that the Council supports a separate application to be made to the Coastal Communities Fund by the HCT in 2019 for up to £250,000 towards the Old Grammar School project in advance of the Round 2 HLF application;

v)       that the Council confirms the continuation of the current 3 year rolling agreement to provide £60,000 per annum grant funding to the Trust for delivering cultural heritage activities in Gosport and looking after the GBC museum collections, subject to regular review of the annual delivery plan and the activities undertaken by the Joint Member Committee.

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