Issue - meetings

Report No:   CAB/JT/18/010

Portfolio Holder: SEBC Cllr Joanna Rayner

Lead Officer: Alex Wilson

RESOLVED:

That a Deed of Variation be prepared and signed to enable the transfer of the managing trustee role for the Guildhall and 79 Whiting Street, Bury St Edmunds from St Edmundsbury Borough Council to the Bury St Edmunds Heritage Trust.

(Councillors Carol Bull and John Griffiths declared local non-pecuniary interests as two of St Edmundsbury Borough Council’s (SEBC) nominated representatives on the Guildhall Feoffment Trust and remained in the meeting for the consideration of this item.)

The Joint Committee considered the above report, which sought authorisation to complete governance changes associated with the Guildhall Project in Bury St Edmunds.

Members noted the background to the Guildhall Project, as set out in the report, including progress that had been made since the matter was last considered by SEBC’s Cabinet in November 2017.  At that time, it was believed that as it involved an amendment to the original 1894 charity scheme a formal application would have to be made to the Charity Commission to effect the transfer of the managing trustee role of the Borough Council for the Guildhall and the associated property, 79 Whiting Street to a new management vehicle, the Bury St Edmunds Heritage Trust (BSEHT).  Subsequently, the Commission had advised that the rules regarding amending schemes had changed, as detailed in paragraph 1.6 of the report. Accordingly, to formalise the transfer it was suggested that a simple Deed of Variation to the 1894 scheme should be prepared and signed with the BSEHT and the Guildhall Feoffment Trust.

Councillor Joanna Rayner, SEBC Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, drew relevant issues to the attention of the Joint Committee, including that pending the signing of the proposed Deed of Variation, the BSEHT would occupy and operate the two properties under licence from the Borough Council in accordance with the original Memorandum of Understanding that had been agreed between the three parties in 2013 as part of the agreement to deliver a project to restore the Guildhall and establish it as an exhibition and heritage centre.

The Joint Committee fully supported the proposed governance changes as well as commending all those involved in reaching this point in the project.  SEBC Members had been invited to a preview tour of the almost completed refurbishment in May 2018 and those that had attended, had been extremely impressed by the quality of the restoration.  The project was due to be formally reopened to the public in July 2018.

RESOLVED:

That a Deed of Variation be prepared and signed to enable the transfer of the managing trustee role for the Guildhall and 79 Whiting Street, Bury St Edmunds from St Edmundsbury Borough Council to the Bury St Edmunds Heritage Trust.