Issue - meetings

This report seeks the approval of the Committee to the selection of a preferred bidder for the refurbishment of Horton Chapel for community use.

(1)          That Horton Chapel Arts and Heritage Society (“the Society”) be selected as the preferred bidder for the refurbishment of Horton Chapel for community use;

(2)          That, subject to the Society being successful in its bid for funding to the Heritage Lottery Fund, Officers be authorised, in consultation with the Vice Chairman of the Strategy and Resources Committee, to conclude an agreement with the Society on such terms as thought fit, covering matters related to the above, to include:

a)            Terms for the release of up to £1.45million in grant funding to support the refurbishment of the Chapel;

b)            Terms for the transfer of the Chapel to the Society for nil consideration.

Note: Councillors Eber Kington and Omer Kokou-Tchri left the meeting/Chamber and took no part in the debate or decision on this matter.

The Vice Chairman was in the Chair for this item.

The Committee received and considered a report seeking approval of a preferred bidder for the refurbishment of Horton Chapel for community use.

The report highlighted that four proposals had been submitted. Each of these had been evaluated against the criteria which the Committee had considered at its meeting on 21 June 2016. A summary of the proposals and assessment of each bid was attached as an Annexe to the report.

The highest scoring bid was that from Horton Chapel Arts & Heritage Society.  The main assumption in scoring this bid was in relation to the availability of funding.  It had been assumed that the Society would be successful in obtaining funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.  Acceptance of the bid was proposed conditionally on that funding being secured.  If not, then the Council would approach the second highest scoring bid, or failing that, report back to Committee.

On the basis of the information before the Committee, it was unanimously agreed that:

(1)          Horton Chapel Arts and Heritage Society (“the Society”) be selected as the preferred bidder for the refurbishment of Horton Chapel for community use;

(2)          Subject to the Society being successful in its bid for funding to the Heritage Lottery Fund, Officers be authorised, in consultation with the Vice Chairman of the Strategy and Resources Committee, to conclude an agreement with the Society on such terms as thought fit, covering matters related to the above, to include:

a)            Terms for the release of up to £1.45million in grant funding to support the refurbishment of the Chapel;

b)            Terms for the transfer of the Chapel to the Society for nil consideration.