Decision details

Summary

Note – Following consultation with Chairman of the Council under the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules set out in Part 4 of the Constitution (Call-in and Urgency, (j)), Call-in had been waived for this decision. The Chairman of the Council gave consent that the proposed decision was reasonable in all the circumstances and  to it being treated as a matter of urgency.

Consideration was given to an update in relation to delivery of the minor capital refurbishment scheme at Abbot Hall Gallery to allow Lakeland Arts to re-open the premises to the public.

On the afternoon of 4 August 2022, new information was received from the Council’s partner regarding the practicalities of executing the lease. The new information necessitated revising the timescale for entering into the new lease.  The recommendation at 2.1(3) of the report was therefore updated to state:

(3)   Agree to enter into the new lease for Abbot Hall (authority for which was granted by Cabinet on 17 March 2021) following the completion / sealing of the grant agreement and related agreements to deliver the refurbishment work referred to in 2.1(2) above.

Decision

RESOLVED – That

(1)        the updated approach be approved;

(2)        agreement be given, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Economy, Culture and Leisure, the Asset and Commercial Services Manager, the Finance Lead Specialist (Section 151 Officer) and the Legal, Governance and Democracy Specialist (Deputy Monitoring Officer) to enter into the grant agreement and related agreements to deliver the project; and

(3)        agreement be given to enter into the new lease for Abbot Hall (authority for which was granted by Cabinet on 17 March 2021) following the completion/ sealing of the grant agreement and related agreements to deliver the refurbishment work referred to in 2.1(2) above.

Reasons for Decision

For the economy and culture, work with our partners to deliver regional growth by: working across Morecambe Bay and the North West to secure inward investment; attracting external funding and delivering critical infrastructure; participating in the Northern Powerhouse and contributing to the preparation and implementation of the Local Industrial Strategy; promoting unique selling points such as marine and cultural and creative industries. For the economy and culture, create opportunities for young people by: unlocking development sites and enabling local businesses to grow; understanding the needs of local businesses; encouraging graduate retention; using culture and built heritage to support our unique offer.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not to support the refurbishment of the Abbot Hall: it is likely that this would mean that the NCRF funding would be lost and that essential and desirable works to Abbot Hall would not be undertaken. This is not considered to be a suitable alterative option when considering the importance of the site in terms of Kendal’s cultural offer and Kendal Vision’s cultural Quarter vision.