Issue - meetings

Hengistbury Head visitor centre was opened in 2014 using significant funds from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. 10 years on and a visitor centre business resilience and improvement bid for further funding of £203,000 has been successful.

RESOLVED that: -

£203,000 of external grant funds from the National Lottery Heritage Fund is accepted and used as part of a £251,000 project with the balance to be met from Heathland Mitigation funding.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Climate Response, Environment and Energy

Reason

·     Delivers against the Corporate Strategy for people and nature, as well as supporting the Heathland Mitigation SPD and priorities within the Green Infrastructure Strategy.

·     Secures important external grant funding

·     Match funding is being provided from existing capital funds, no revenue match funding is required

·     Supports the business development and resilience of the centre, with an aim of increasing income generation and reducing reliance on revenue funds

·     Provides funding to explore and test new business models as well as key improvements such as signage and increasing footfall to the centre

·     Enhances the reputation of the centre as a nationally and regionally important for both archaeology and for high quality access to nature

The Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'B' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that the Hengistbury Head visitor centre was opened in 2014 using significant funds from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and that 10 years on and a visitor centre business resilience and improvement bid for further funding of £203,000 has been successful. The Portfolio Holder advised of the importance of this heritage area and the priorities for the funding. It was hoped that this would raise the profile of the area.

An issue was raised in regarding increasing footfall and the tendering of a pop-up refreshment offer in the area prior to the catering offer being established.

The Cabinet welcomed the grants funding for Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre.

RESOLVED that: -

£203,000 of external grant funds from the National Lottery Heritage Fund is accepted and used as part of a £251,000 project with the balance to be met from Heathland Mitigation funding.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Climate Response, Environment and Energy

Reason

·     Delivers against the Corporate Strategy for people and nature, as well as supporting the Heathland Mitigation SPD and priorities within the Green Infrastructure Strategy.

·     Secures important external grant funding

·     Match funding is being provided from existing capital funds, no revenue match funding is required

·     Supports the business development and resilience of the centre, with an aim of increasing income generation and reducing reliance on revenue funds

·     Provides funding to explore and test new business models as well as key improvements such as signage and increasing footfall to the centre

·     Enhances the reputation of the centre as a nationally and regionally important for both archaeology and for high quality access to nature