Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Safer & Stronger Communities

Forward Plan Ref: 2011/136

Contact: Martyn Brown, Heritage & Arts Officer Tel: (01993) 814114

Report by Director of Social & Community Services (CA11).

Cabinet in June agreed that any matters relating to the Soldiers of Oxfordshire museum development which could not be resolved be brought back to Cabinet for decision.  Following that meeting negotiations have continued and a further decision is required relating to the ongoing commitment to the site and future arrangements. The decision needs to be taken at the full Cabinet meeting on 19 July  2011 as enabling work is planned to start on site in August 2011 to avoid increased costs to SOFO.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to

(a)             require the Council’s Money Laundering Reporting Officer (the Assistant Chief Executive and Chief Finance Officer) to satisfy herself as to the appropriateness of the financial arrangements for SOFO and the bona fides of the donor

(b)             agree that should the Council no longer be able to provide and maintain The Oxfordshire Museum at any time during the 25 years following completion, to offer a lease of those premises, on terms to be agreed, to SOFO (or a new trust or similar body) in order that they have opportunity to consider running The Oxfordshire Museum independently, subject to the County Council’s approval of a viable business case and its obligations.

Cabinet considered a report relating to a project by The Soldiers of Oxfordshire who were seeking to build a new museum within the grounds of The Oxfordshire Museum. The report sought final approval for the legal and property details, to be concluded, so that work may start on site in September.

Councillor Goddard welcomed the recommendations.

Mr Tim May, Deputy Chairman, Soldiers of Oxfordshire stated that there had been considerable progress since the last meeting in June. The SOFO Executive Board were seeking a period of stability after the building was completed and suggested a period of 5 years in which no change could be introduced. The exact period was not set but the Trustees needed to be able to give their sponsors some reassurance.

The Cabinet Member for Safer & Stronger Communities referred to the nature of local government finance that made such a guarantee impossible. However there was no question of the Council’s commitment to the project. She added that a huge amount of work had been undertaken by officers and she thanked them for their efforts. In moving the recommendations she stressed that they safeguarded both SOFO and the Council and underlined the Council’s support.

RESOLVED:             to:

(a)       require the Council’s Money Laundering Reporting Officer (the Assistant Chief Executive and Chief Finance Officer) to satisfy herself as to the appropriateness of the financial arrangements for SOFO and the bona fides of the donor

(b)       agree that should the Council no longer be able to provide and maintain The Oxfordshire Museum at any time during the 25 years following completion, to offer a lease of those premises, on terms to be agreed, to SOFO (or a new trust or similar body) in order that they have opportunity to consider running The Oxfordshire Museum independently, subject to the County Council’s approval of a viable business case and its obligations.