The Director of Communities and Environment submitted a report highlighting an opportunity to conserve and transform heritage buildings to develop an all year round visitor attraction at Home Farm, Temple Newsam, which would be achieved by creating an indoor play barn, café and retail facility within the heart of the existing farm attraction. The report also set out the business case to achieve a financially sustainable future for the buildings, improve the visitor experience as well as continue to conserve rare breeds.
A Member raised concerns regarding the timing of the proposal given the current financial challenges being faced by the Council, the potential impact on such a scheme by restrictions introduced in response to the pandemic and whether the matter would be further considered by the Board. In response, Members received further detail regarding the business case for the proposals and also an undertaking that the proposals would be reviewed in February 2021, to ensure that it remained financially viable before an award of tender was progressed.
During the discussion it was emphasised that local Ward Councillors were supportive of the proposals.
Responding to a specific enquiry, officers undertook to provide the Member in question with information regarding the interest that would be charged on the proposed £3.68m prudential borrowing.
RESOLVED -
(a) That approval be given to implementing the proposals as contained within the submitted report, subject to a review being conducted before the award of tender (anticipated in February 2021) in order to assess the potential impact of COVID-19;
(b) That agreement in principle be given to inject £3.68 million investment into the Capital Programme, with approval also being given to delegate the authority to spend approvals for the full scheme to the Director of Communities and Environment following the associated review in February 2021;
(c) That it be noted that the Chief Officer Parks and Countryside will be responsible for implementation of this scheme.
(Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 16.5, Councillor A Carter required it to be recorded that he voted against the decisions referred to within this minute)