Issue - meetings

English Heritage Local Management Agreement (LMA)

 

 

Meeting: 21/11/2017 - Cabinet (Item 8)

8 English Heritage Local Management Agreement Renewal pdf icon PDF 78 KB

Minutes:

Background:

 

This report provided details of the proposed renewal of the Local Management Agreement (LMA) with English Heritage for the operation and maintenance of Rochester Castle, Upnor Castle and Temple Manor for a five year period.

 

The report set out details of the draft heads of terms following discussions between the Council and English Heritage, which would cap the Council’s commitment to £500,000 for the five year period (a maximum of £100,000 per annum). The report also set out details of the Council’s proposed contribution of £80,000 towards the recent repair of the perimeter wall of Upnor Castle.

 

Decision number:

Decision:

129/2017

The Cabinet approved option B (renewal of the Local Management Agreement (LMA) with English Heritage on amended terms), as set out in paragraph 2.6 and 3.1(B) of the report.

130/2017

The Cabinet agreed to delegate authority to the Director Regeneration, Culture, Environment and Transformation and Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Services, to conclude negotiations and finalise the LMA, including the draft amended Heads of Terms, with English Heritage subject to Full Council approval of the funding. However, should negotiations not be concluded on best terms then a report will be brought back to Cabinet accordingly.

131/2017

The Cabinet recommended to Full Council to approve a capital payment of £80,000 to English Heritage, as Medway Council’s contribution to wall repairs undertaken at Upnor Castle.

 

The Cabinet noted that the Council’s contribution of £500,000, capped at £100,000 per annum, under the draft amended Heads of Terms for the amended LMA will be considered as part of the Council’s budget setting process, subject to the Council’s contribution being matched by English Heritage.

 

Reasons:

 

The amended LMA will set out a binding service level agreement with English Heritage, providing a structured programme for the operation and maintenance of three historic properties in Medway and budgetary certainty.

 

The proposed capital payment of £80,000 recognises Medway’s commitment to the maintenance of the Upnor Castle wall, while significantly reducing the original sum being requested.  The proposed capital contribution of £500,000, over five years, capped at £100,000 per annum, recognises Medway’s commitment to the ongoing management of these important heritage properties, in line with the Council Plan.