Issue - meetings
Boiler Replacement - City Museum, incorporating Lancaster Library
Meeting: 26/10/2021 - Cabinet (Item 37)
37 Boiler replacement - City Museum, incorporating Lancaster Library 
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(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hamilton-Cox)
Report of Director for Communities & the Environment
Minutes:
(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hamilton-Cox)
Cabinet received a report from the Director for Economic Growth and Regeneration to request that funding be released from the capital budget in order to deliver a joint project between Lancaster City Council and Lancashire County Council that would see the replacement of essential boiler plant and equipment, housed in the City Museum but serving both this site and Lancaster Library.
The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:
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Option 1: Do nothing/wait for air source heat pump technology to advance |
Option 2: Replace the gas boilers on a like for like basis but ensure mechanisms are in place to install air source heat pumps at a later date |
Option 3: Carry out a like for like replacement of the gas boilers |
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Advantages |
The council does not spend the allocation of capital funds requested.
It could lead to complete decarbonisation and potentially avoid any modifications or removal of newly installed gas heating systems further down the line. |
The City Museum asset is protected, as is the County’s asset.
Reduced gas consumption and cost savings (gas and maintenance).
Better working environment for staff.
Better control over the environment for the benefit of the collections.
The work is planned so costs associated with it can be known in advance.
Costs can be split out accurately going forward.
As air source heat pump technology evolves, we will be in a position to install retrospectively and realise the benefits associated with this. |
The City Museum asset is protected, as is the County’s asset.
Reduced gas consumption and cost savings (gas and maintenance).
Better working environment for staff.
Better control over the environment for the benefit of the collections.
The work is planned so costs associated with it can be known in advance.
Costs can be split out accurately going forward.
No changes are required to the existing scheme. |
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Disadvantages |
The boiler plant will fail (become unrepairable), at which point emergency, temporary heating will need to be installed for both sites until a permanent replacement is organised. This will be a more costly option than the planned replacement.
The current lack of accurate heating control is creating an uncomfortable working environment for staff.
Loss of heating and/or the installation of temporary heating could cause damage to the Museums collections.
Asbestos work would still be required imminently, whether the boiler replacement goes ahead or not. |
The Council will need to expend the requested capital funds this financial year.
The changes required to ensure air source heat pumps can be added on to the system at a later date will mean a scheme revision and small additional costs |
The Council will need to expend the requested capital funds this financial year |
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Risks |
Loss of heating and potential damage to collections could result in a reduction of visitor numbers or force a temporary closure of the Museum.
If our lack of action impacts the Library as well as our ... view the full minutes text for item 37 |