CABINET – 16TH NOVEMBER 2017

Report of the Overview Scrutiny Group ITEM 7 CARILLON TOWER WAR MEMORIAL REFURBISHMENT Purpose of Report To consider the comments and recommendations of the Overview Scrutiny Group in relation to the proposed scheme of restoration work at the Carillon Tower. Recommendation of the Overview Scrutiny Group That the Cabinet be informed that the Group supports the recommendation as set out in the report of the Head of Leisure and Culture. Reason Having considered the report and asked questions of the Strategic Director of Neighbourhoods and Community Wellbeing and the Head of Leisure and Culture on the matter, the Group concluded that it would be appropriate for the Cabinet to approve the recommendation set out in the report. Meeting Discussion Following questions from the Group, the Strategic Director of Neighbourhoods and Community Wellbeing and the Head of Leisure and Culture provided the following responses:

(i) The building was structurally sound and the work would safeguard the building for the future.

(ii) The cost figures in the report were estimates based on the condition survey. In order to proceed there would be a tender exercise and the costs from that tender exercise would form the basis of the grant application to the War Memorials Trust. The Council was not expecting the costs from the tender exercise to be higher than those quoted in the report.

(iii) The Council would also look at other sources of funding in addition to the War Memorials Trust. Those could include crowd funding, the national lottery and other grants for work to the bells and the clavier. The Council would use its best endeavours to obtain external funding but the full cost of the works had been allocated in the Capital Plan to ensure that the work could proceed.

(iv) As part of the tender process, the specifications for the work, for example the timber to be used and other materials, would be specified by the architect. This was to ensure that the requirements of the War Memorials Trust and Historic England were met.

(v) Any costs for dismantling exhibits would not form part of the grant application but were likely to be small.

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(vi) The work would require scaffolding to be erected around the tower. Security of the scaffolding and the site during the work would be built into the price that would be quoted by the contractor.

Policy Justification and Previous Decisions

Scrutiny Committee Procedure 11.12 sets out the procedure by which a report of a scrutiny committee should be considered by the Cabinet. Implementation Timetable including Future Decisions and Scrutiny The information on this in the Cabinet report is not affected by the recommendation of the Overview Scrutiny Group. Report Implications The following implications have been identified for this report. Financial Implications There are no further financial implications associated with the recommendation of the Overview Scrutiny Group. Risk Management

There are no specific risks associated with the recommendation of the Overview Scrutiny Group. Key Decision: Yes Background Paper: Overview Scrutiny Group Minute 47 2017/18, 13th November 2017 Officer to contact: Nadia Ansari Democratic Services Officer (01509) 634502 nadia.ansari@charnwood.gov.uk

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