Agenda item

(Copy herewith)

Cabinet delegated authority to the Director of Customers and Communities, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community Engagement and Safety and the Borough Secretary, to appoint the main construction contractor for the Central Museum and Art Gallery Expansion Project provided that the total cost of the successful contractor’s tender is within the approved capital budget of £6.7m.

In the absence of Councillor King, Councillor Nunn elaborated on the report which sought delegated authority to appoint the main construction contractor for the Central Museum and Art Gallery expansion project. He stated that it was very good news that progress was being made and that the Council had reached a milestone and offered his full support to the recommendations.

Councillor B Markham commented that whilst he welcomed the presentation of the business case but questioned whether or not the project would be completed within the £6.7 million budget. He further reported that extra money would have to be spent on the annual running costs of the Museum and commented that to financially commit the money could potentially be risky. In response to questions asked, Councillor B Markham explained that at this stage of the process, it was necessary to commit and proceed with the Museum project but he cited his disappointment that Sekhemka had been sold to facilitate the expansion and refurbishment.

Councillor Eldred commented that when Sekhemka had been sold, it had been done so to expand the Museum; the museum prior to the expansion was only capable of showing 10 percent of the goods Northampton had to show. It was further noted that the expansion would allow big touring exhibitions to visit and would transform what the museum could offer residents and visitors.

Councillor Stone commented that it was an exciting vision and would be happy to see it reopened for school children to enjoy and asked that more emphasis be put on educational strands. She noted that she was upset that the museum had been closed for 18 months for the expansion project and considered that it being closed had damaged the Towns reputation. She questioned why more radical plans had not been considered and suggested that the building could have been knocked down and rebuilt for similar costs.

The Leader expressed his disappointment that the museum had been closed for 18 months, but noted that this had been a necessity due to assessing the risks and carrying out due diligence.

Councillor Eldred stated that he was disappointed that the Council had lost accreditation following the sale of Sekhemka but hoped that it would be reinstated in the future.

Councillor Birch stated that she recognised the need to progress in order to get accreditation and asked how much was paid for the gaol block and what the financial implications would be once the first phase had been completed.

The Director of Customer and Communities responded by noting that the project could be halted after the first phase.

In response to a question asked, the Leader confirmed that despite the formation of a proposed Unitary authority, the museum project nor the funding would be affected as it was protected.

RESOLVED:

That authority be delegated to the Director of Customers and Communities, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community Engagement and Safety and the Borough Secretary, to appoint the main construction contractor for the Central Museum and Art Gallery Expansion Project provided that the total cost of the successful contractor’s tender is within the approved capital budget of £6.7m.