Agenda item

To consider any Call-in Referral report following the Call-in on the Storey - Tasting Garden decision on 28^th October 2015.

Cabinet received a report from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to advise Cabinet of the outcome of the call-in of the Cabinet decision with regard to the Storey – Tasting Garden (Cabinet Minute 37) and to request Cabinet to consider the recommendation of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in relation to this matter.  The report was presented by Councillor Jackson, a nominee of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and signatory to the Call-in.

The recommendation of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee was as follows:-

(1)          That Cabinet considers approving the following decision:

Consider that restoration of the artwork is not a high priority for the Council, but nevertheless a minimal amount of officer time will be provided to clarify the governance issues necessary to enable the Friends group to apply for major grant funding to restore the artwork as the lead partner with the Council. This funding would need to include a reasonable sum to cover appropriate project management of the restoration, plus insurance and future maintenance costs of the artwork to minimise any future liability on the Council’s budget. Following the clarification of governance issues and clear permission to proceed, the Friends group to be given 12 months to raise the necessary funds. If fundraising is unsuccessful in this timescale, the Council to revert to the alternative masterplan option of improving the gardens without restoring the artwork.

Councillor Newman-Thompson proposed, seconded by Councillor Blamire:

“That the recommendation, as set out in the referral report from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, be approved with a report back to Cabinet in twelve months if the Friends fail to secure the necessary funding.”

Resolved unanimously:

(1)          That restoration of the artwork is not a high priority for the Council, but nevertheless a minimal amount of officer time will be provided to clarify the governance issues necessary to enable the Friends group to apply for major grant funding to restore the artwork as the lead partner with the Council. This funding would need to include a reasonable sum to cover appropriate project management of the restoration, plus insurance and future maintenance costs of the artwork to minimise any future liability on the Council’s budget. Following the clarification of governance issues and clear permission to proceed, the Friends group to be given 12 months to raise the necessary funds. If fundraising is unsuccessful in this timescale, the Council to revert to the alternative masterplan option of improving the gardens without restoring the artwork and this will be reported back to Cabinet.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Officer (Environment)

Reasons for making the decision:

The decision enables the Friends group to have the opportunity to raise the necessary funds to restore the artwork in order that the Tasting Garden can be enjoyed by our citizens and complement the wider business plan of the Storey Institute and allows for a report back to Cabinet in a year’s time if the fundraising efforts are not successful.

The decision also makes clear the level of officer support to be allocated.