Agenda item

To note the report submitted by Gillian Berry, Head of Museums and Heritage Development.

The Head of Museums and Heritage Development, Gillian Berry submitted a report to inform the Committee of progress in the National Heritage Lottery Fund (NHLF) development stage project in relation to Accrington Market Chambers.  The Leader of the Council, Councillor Munsif Dad, attended the Committee on behalf of the Portfolio holder for Heritage, Culture and Arts to speak on the item.  The Heritage and Cultural Engagement Officer, Hannah Saxton, was also in attendance.

The Leader of the Council referred to the Chairmanship of the previous Chair of the Special Overview & Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Josh Allen, and his due diligence in serving the Committee and allowing free discussion and proposed that the gratitude of Members be recorded.

The Leader of the Council outlined details of progress on the National Heritage Lottery Fund (NLHF) development stage project in relation to Accrington Market Chambers.  He explained that the Market Chambers was part of the Council’s overall Town Centre Investment Plan designed to regenerate Accrington Town Centre and bring economic and other benefits to the Borough.  He indicated that the first stage of the project was to develop a new cultural heritage space with a significant part of the work around engagement. 

The Head of Museums and Heritage Development gave details of funding for the project and that £833,056, in total, NHLF had been received.  She explained that the development phase lasted up to 2 years and enabled applicants to work on their project proposals followed by a delivery stage of no more than 5 years.  The report referred to the development stage of the project and she informed the Committee that the community was at the heart of this development and referred to the importance of ensuring that these views were incorporated into their plans.

Committee Members submitted questions that related to:

·         Their ability to secure funding in the future to ensure the completion of the project and if there was a Plan B should this not happen.

·         That all 3 buildings involved in the project were brought back into use ensuring continuity of visual appearance.

·         The Town Hall was brought back into community use.

·         Could the historical township of Huncoat (included in the Doomsday Book) be included in plans.

·         What would happen if the CPO of one part of the building was not successful.

·         How were stakeholders in Accrington and those on the periphery of the town being engaged.

·         Request for variation in type of experiences provided.

The Head Museums and Heritage Development reported that they could not guarantee future funding but were fairly confident that they would acquire it.  In respect of bringing all three buildings back into use, it was reported that efforts would be made to ensure all building were treated the same for visual effect.  She indicated that the development of the project would aim to sign post people to different locations to ensure that footfall and the associated economic benefits would be spread. 

The success of the CPO on the Market Chambers was important and would take time to process but was built into the end process.

The engagement of stakeholders to the project was of great importance and efforts were being made to ensure that people’s views were being collated and considered.  She also indicated that visits had been made to other museums and heritage providers and it was their aim to compliment rather than compete with them. 

Resolved                               -   That the report be noted.