Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Head of Leisure and Museums seeking agreement to the settlement of outstanding claims.

Scrutiny Committee – Resources considered the report at their meeting on 25 November 2009 and their comments will be reported.

(Report circulated to Members)

The report of the Head of Leisure and Museums was submitted, updating Executive on the current situation with respect to the various contracts now let for the Royal Albert Memorial Museum Development Project.

Scrutiny Committee – Resources considered the report at their meeting of 25 November 2009 and their comments and support were noted.

Executive noted the current contractual and budgetary position and the outstanding risk factors identified in the report.  Members were pleased to note the significant progress made on site and congratulated officers on the advancement of the project.

Executive recommended that:-

(1)        the progress report on the Royal Albert Memorial Museum Development Project be received and approved;

(2)        the agreement to settle current outstanding claims be concluded, as set out in paragraph 4 of the report, and

(3)        a new budget for the project of £20.355 million be approved.

The report of the Head of Leisure and Museums was submitted, updating Executive on the current situation with respect to the various contracts now let for the Royal Albert Memorial Museum Development Project.

Scrutiny Committee – Resources considered the report at their meeting of 25 November 2009 and their comments and support were noted.

Executive noted the current contractual and budgetary position and the outstanding risk factors identified in the report.  Members were pleased to note the significant progress made on site and congratulated officers on the advancement of the project.

RECOMMENDED that:-

(1)        the progress report on the Royal Albert Memorial Museum Development Project be received and approved;

(2)        the agreement to settle current outstanding claims be concluded, as set out in paragraph 4 of the report, and

(3)        a new budget for the project of £20.355 million be approved.

(Report circulated to Members)

To consider the report of the Head of Leisure and Museums – report circulated to members

The Director Community and Environment presented the report updating Members on the current situation with respect to the various contracts now let for the RAMM Development Project.

Members were informed of the on site progress, fit-out and displays, the budget position including grants awards and applications, the appointment of a programme consultant, risks and the S151 Officer Statement.

Members discussed the progress made to date, the anticipated opening date and the possibility of a soft opening. They acknowledged the financial risks involved and appreciated all the hard work of the officers on this difficult and complex project.

The Director Community and Environment stated that the opening was anticipated to be in May or June 2011.  In answer to a request from a Member she agreed to ask the project team to look at the feasibility of a phased opening although she feared that this would be impracticable.

Michael Lee from Focus Consultants (UK) Limited, the Project Manager for the RAMM Development Project, gave a short presentation to Members updating them on the current position with regards to the project. He outlined the methodology and approach which included Issues Analysis, Risk/ Cost Assessment Workshops, Strategic Cost Reports and Risk Reduction/ Control Measures. He updated Members on the current financial position.

The Chair thanked Mr Lee for his presentation.

The Scrutiny Committee - Resources placed on record their appreciation for all the  work officers had put into the taking forward this project, the Committee supported the report and recommended Executive to approve:-

(1)        the report;

(2)               agree to settle the current outstanding claims, as set out in paragraph 4 of the circulated report, the remainder of the report be accepted; and

(3)         a new budget for the project of £20.355m.

(Report circulated to members)