Lead Member – Councillor Dean Carroll - Portfolio Holder for Housing & Assets

Report of Steve Law, Head of Property & Development

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.     Delegated authority to the Executive Director for Resources to enter into an Agreement with the UKSPF to restore the exterior of the building and to secure £630,250 in grant aid.

2.     Approved match funding of £270,107 of capital to be financed through borrowing.

3.     Provided Authority to Proceed with the project to restore the exterior of the Cambrian Railway Building in Oswestry and requested that the capital programme is updated to reflect Cabinet approval of this report, within the capital programme being approved by Council on 29 February 2024.

4.     Delegated authority to the Executive Director for Place to proceed with the delivery of the exterior restoration including listed building consent, detailed design, tendering of works and construction.

5.     Once the Conservation Management Plan and surveys are complete a business case for the re-use of the Cambrian Building is brought back to the Cabinet for review and consideration of any additional investment required to restore the interior of the building and make it suitable for re-use.

It was agreed that item 13 would be brought forward to this part in the meeting.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Assets introduced the report which sought Cabinet authority to proceed with a capital project to restore the exterior of the Cambrian Railway Building in Oswestry, a Grade 2 listed building in the ownership of the Council. The cost is estimated at £900,357 and a UKSPF bid has secured an offer of 70% but now requires 30% match funding from the Council’s capital programme.

Members were in support of the project and felt that this was an iconic building which should be restored.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.     Delegated authority to the Executive Director for Resources to enter into an Agreement with the UKSPF to restore the exterior of the building and to secure £630,250 in grant aid.

2.     Approved match funding of £270,107 of capital to be financed through borrowing.

3.     Provided Authority to Proceed with the project to restore the exterior of the Cambrian Railway Building in Oswestry and requested that the capital programme is updated to reflect Cabinet approval of this report, within the capital programme being approved by Council on 29 February 2024.

4.     Delegated authority to the Executive Director for Place to proceed with the delivery of the exterior restoration including listed building consent, detailed design, tendering of works and construction.

5.     Once the Conservation Management Plan and surveys are complete a business case for the re-use of the Cambrian Building is brought back to the Cabinet for review and consideration of any additional investment required to restore the interior of the building and make it suitable for re-use.