Agenda item

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

Please note: Documents A1 and A12 to APPENDIX 2 contain exempt information and will be considered in private session at Agenda Item 15 pursuant to Paragraph 3 of Part 1 Schedule 12A to Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972.

The Council considered the report of the Chief Executive presenting the Outline Business Case (OBC) for the design, construction and operation of a New Arts and Culture Centre (NACC) Project and seeking Members’ approval to progress to a Full Business Case (FBC).

Members were reminded of the Promenade Park Management Plan (PPMP) adopted in June 2025 and the work done by Officers since then to progress the concept for the Promenade Park NACC to OBC, as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report. Key milestone dates were set out in the report.

It was noted that the OBC set out the project against a standardised business case model of strategic, economic, management, socio-economic and financial cases. These were summarised in the report. Appendix 2 to the report provided a number of detailed background papers relating to the OBC for the NACC Project.

The Capital Projects Director gave a detailed presentation which set out:

·                the key outcomes of the public engagement;

·                details of the NACC project and what it could achieve;

·                further benefits of the project;

·                a summary of the June 2026 engagement survey results;

·                references from the Maldon District Culture and Heritage Strategy Survey (August 2025);

·                proposed questions discussed at recent target group meetings and the feedback received.

In conclusion, the Director highlighted that the consultation showed strong support for safeguarding the Maldon Museum and investing in its future, but there was no clear consensus on the scale or form of development. Further community engagement was required to define the project's scope and objectives.

In response to concerns raised regarding the proposed development and its timing, the Director advised that the Strategic Asset Working Group (SAWG) had considered the options and decided to take forward the largest option.

Councillor R H Siddall thanked the Capital Projects Director for the work he had done on this project and provided the Council with details of the proposals presented to SAWG. He noted that when this option was agreed the funding was estimated as £1m and he agreed that the £3m now requested could not be justified at this time.

Councillor J R Burrell-Cook commented on the report and felt that the ambition of an Arts and Culture Centre in Maldon should not be rejected but further work was required, highlighting the benefit of having such a Centre. He then proposed that should Members be minded to accept recommendations (vii) and (viii) that a further recommendation be added, that Members support a new feasibility study and proposal seeking an alternative place for an arts and cultural centre with funding being sought externally through Arts Council England, National Lottery Heritage funds, and partnership working. This proposal was duly seconded.

During the lengthy debate that followed a number of Members expressed concerns regarding the proposed scheme, including the extent of the consultation carried out, the burden on the authority of borrowing £2.7m, whilst acknowledging that the Council wanted a legacy for the Maldon District. In response to questions raised the Capital Projects Director advised that:

·                accessibility of the current building was an issue, particularly above the ground floor and how it was not practical to install a lift without extending the existing building.

·                the biggest risk, especially in construction, was uncertainty along with the details of the project and who the NACC would serve. However, costs were at a very early stage and therefore contained significant contingency values, these figures would be refined at each design stage and the Director advised that he would expect them to reduce over time.

Councillor A S Fluker declared at this point that he had been involved in some projects which Stace had also been involved in.

Councillor Burrell-Cook declared that he was Chairperson of the Maldon Festival which put on music, arts and cultural events over Maldon town. He then clarified his earlier proposal to add a further recommendation to support a new feasibility study to seek an alternative place for an arts and cultural centre with funding being sought from external sources such as Arts Council England, National Lottery Heritage and partnership working to reduce the burden on the taxpayer.

The Chairperson then moved recommendation (i) as set out in the report. Upon a vote being taken it was unanimously agreed that this not be approved. The Chairperson declared that as recommendation (i) was lost recommendations (ii) – (vi) also failed.

The Chairperson then moved recommendation (vii) and upon a vote being taken this was agreed.

Councillor A S Fluker proposed an amendment to recommendation (viii) that the Outline Business Case is brought to the September meeting of the Council. This proposal was duly seconded. The Director of Legal and Governance advised that the September Council agenda was already quite large and was unable to comment if Officers would be able to meet the September deadline. Councillor Fluker withdrew his proposal at this point.

The Chairperson then moved recommendation (viii) and upon a vote being taken this was agreed.

Members were then reminded of the proposal in the name of Councillor Burrell-Cook and upon a vote being taken this was duly agreed.

RESOLVED

(i)             that the Council does not approve taking the Maldon New Arts and Culture Centre project forward and that officers undertake no further work on this;

(ii)            that officers bring an Outline Business Case for the renovation of the Maldon Museum back to the Council for consideration;

(iii)           that the Council supports a new feasibility study and proposal seeking an alternative location for an arts and cultural centre, with funding being sought externally through Arts Council England, National Lottery Heritage funds, and partnership working.