Issue - meetings

RESOLVED to approve:

1.     The withdrawal of the Masterplan formally approved by Cabinet on 20 December 2018;

2.     Continuing engagement with key stakeholders on future operational options for Elvaston Castle and Gardens Estate on the basis of the above decision;

3.     The current capital budget to be held and available for the Estate to fund delivery of the Countryside Service Enterprise Plan. The plan would include improvements for visitors and a scaled back number of low-cost, low-risk developments focused on increasing visitor numbers, to reduce the current financial subsidy, and keep the Estate maintained in line with health and safety standards;

4.     The Growth Fund of 0.050m per annum allocated to the Masterplan be transferred to the Countryside Service to fund additional staffing resource to support the delivery of the Enterprise Plan;

5.     Granting delegated authority to the Executive Director Place, in consultation with the Director of Legal and Democratic Services, to agree a new governance structure and collaboration agreement between the Council and Elvaston Castle and Gardens Trust; and

6.     Allocating funding of 0.028m to Elvaston Castle and Gardens Trust for 2025-26 financial year and for each of the following two years with a 3% uplift per annum.

Councillor T King introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, that sought approval for a number of recommendations in support of a pragmatic response to a set of very complex and challenging circumstances reflecting the Council’s financial pressures and deepening the partnership arrangements with Elvaston Castle and Gardens Trust to ensure a sustainable plan for the future of the Estate.

RESOLVED to approve:

1.     The withdrawal of the Masterplan formally approved by Cabinet on 20 December 2018;

2.     Continuing engagement with key stakeholders on future operational options for Elvaston Castle and Gardens Estate on the basis of the above decision;

3.     The current capital budget to be held and available for the Estate to fund delivery of the Countryside Service Enterprise Plan. The plan would include improvements for visitors and a scaled back number of low-cost, low-risk developments focused on increasing visitor numbers, to reduce the current financial subsidy, and keep the Estate maintained in line with health and safety standards;

4.     The Growth Fund of £0.050m per annum allocated to the Masterplan be transferred to the Countryside Service to fund additional staffing resource to support the delivery of the Enterprise Plan;

5.     Granting delegated authority to the Executive Director – Place, in consultation with the Director of Legal and Democratic Services, to agree a new governance structure and collaboration agreement between the Council and Elvaston Castle and Gardens Trust; and

6.     Allocating funding of £0.028m to Elvaston Castle and Gardens Trust for 2025-26 financial year and for each of the following two years with a 3% uplift per annum.