To update on progress made with the Greyfriars refurbishment project, to approve acceptance of a grant award of £1.95m from National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) jointly with Heritage Lincolnshire and to approve the inclusion of the project within the General Investment Programme.
1. That the progress made in developing the Greyfriars project through to its delivery phase be noted.
2. That the acceptance of the NLHF grant award together with their standard and additional terms of grant be approved.
3. That the inclusion of a £2,638,220 capital estimate in the General Investment Programme, with associated funding as set out in paragraph 9.1 of the officer’s report be approved.
None.
Members had considered and supported different elements of the Greyfriars project previously, including the approval of a partnership arrangement with Heritage Lincolnshire and the Council’s contribution of £200,000 match funding in October 2019, ahead of the first ‘development’ stage. Then more recently, the acquisition of land and rights from Lincolnshire County Council in May 2022. The report provided an update on progress relating to the second ‘delivery’ stage and the proposed undertaking of the approved scheme.
In late September, NLHF confirmed their support for the project. Formal notification was received 17th October 2022. The grant notification letter included the terms on which the grant was to be accepted. This included a requirement specific to local authority grantees, which was covered by this report.
The project also formed part of the Lincoln Town’s Fund, with funding of £0.540m secured.
The Executive was reminded that Greyfriars had been placed on Historic England’s ‘Buildings At Risk’ register due to its historic significance and deteriorating condition. Due to the Council’s limited financial resources, it was therefore essential that external funding was secured to carry out a full refurbishment of the building.
Working in partnership with Heritage Lincolnshire, the Council had been successful in bids to NHLF to fund extensive refurbishment works. The grant was awarded in two parts; the first, smaller element was to undertake the development of a viable scheme. This work, undertaken 2019-2022, was coupled with robust strategies comprising a business plan, activities plan and conservation management plan. In addition, planning consent, listed buildings consent and approval from Heritage England had all been secured.
The second, larger element of the grant, was the subject of the report and followed completion of the development stage and was awarded to fund the delivery stage i.e., the actual refurbishment works and related activities.
All officers involved in this project were congratulated on their hard work.