Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Chief Executive, (copy enclosed).

Please note: Background Paper B12 contains exempt information and will be considered in private session at Agenda Item 13 pursuant to Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A.

The Chairperson referred to the Monitoring Officer for an update.

The Monitoring Officer advised that in light of the decision released the previous day (Wednesday 25 March 2026) by the Government in relation to Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) Officers were requesting that this item of business be deferred to the meeting of the Council on 2 July 2026. This would allow time for Officers to consider the implications of LGR and to ensure that any recommendations reflected the revised strategic and governance context. The deferral would also enable additional community engagement to be undertaken.

Members noted that should the deferral be agreed, this would require a revised project timetable and meant that the scheme was unlikely to be fully delivered by vesting day in 2028.

The Chairperson proposed that this report be deferred to the Council meeting on 2 July 2026, acting on the guidance of the Monitoring Officer. This proposal was duly seconded.

In response to questions raised, the Monitoring Officer highlighted that there was an LGR update later on the agenda, however reported that additional information from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government had been received at 4pm today (Thursday 26 March 2026) which Officers had not had the time to fully digest. A timeframe along with the Section 24 notice were awaited. The proposed deferral would allow discussions with the proposed new neighbouring authorities and whilst there was no statutory requirement to do this she felt it would be good business sense along with looking at the full implications of LGR. The pause would also ensure that Members had all information required to make a decision on the Museum project.

The Chairperson then moved the proposal to defer this item of business. This was duly agreed. He thanked all Officers involved, particularly the Capital Projects Director.

RESOLVED that this item of business be deferred to the Council meeting scheduled to take place on 2 July 2026.