Crown Estate Funding
Argyll and Bute Council · 5 December 2024
Back to Policy and Resources Committee — 5 December 2024 and its agenda
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE 5 DECEMBER 2024 DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH ROAD AND INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES CROWN ESTATE FUNDING 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 The purpose of this report is to request agreement on (1) additional funding being allocated to the Campbeltown War Memorial and (2) permission for ACT to sell their Eco-Hub, which was part funded through Crown Estates funding, and return the proceeds of this to the Council and are seeking an in principal decision for this to be reinvested in the new Kilmory site. 2.0 RECOMMENDATIONS It is recommended that Policy and Resources Committee agree to:- - allocate additional funding of up to £11,000 to complete the upgrade works at Campbeltown War Memorial from Crown Estate contingency funding; and - grant permission to ACT to sell their Eco-Hub, which was part funded through Crown Estates funding in 2021. Agree in principal that the returned proceeds in addition to the remaining 5% retention (anticipated to be £28.5k) are reinvested in the new Kilmory site. 3.0 DETAIL CAMPBELTOWN WAR MEMORIAL 3.1 At Policy and Resources Committee on 13th October 2022, a budget allocation of £20,000 was agreed towards improvement works for the Campbeltown war memorial. 3.2 From the allocation of £20,000 the spend to date includes the following:- • £2,000 obtaining a condition report • £1,300 on initial works prior to commemorative service. 3.3 The budget remaining is £16,700. There is £11,400 of Crown Estate funding available for contingency purposes, which officers propose could be allocated
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to carry out the remaining works, which include pointing at the top of the War Memorial to ensure that the structure is sealed. These works will require the structure to have scaffolding erected, ensuring the works are carried out safely. 3.4 The remaining works total £27,500 which is broken down to scaffolding costs and mortar works. 3.5 The project requires additional funding of up to £11,000 for the completion of the works. Colleagues in Property Services and Roads and Infrastructure Services have been trying to identify possible areas of funding, without success. Officers have reviewed the CRA budget however that budget is fully committed for the current financial year. ARGYLL AND THE ISLES COUNTRYSIDE TRUST (ACT) ECO HUB 3.6 At Policy and Resources Committee on 18th February 2021, the Committee agreed to allocate £50k to ACT to enable ACT to create a climate change modular hub in Lochgilphead which at the time was a shovel ready scheme. They have revenue funding in place and staff. 3.7 ACT have advised the Council that they are moving their operations in Mid- Argyll to Kilmory. ACT are requesting permission to sell their Eco-Hub, which was part funded through Crown Estates funding (2021), and return the proceeds of this to the Council and are seeking an in principal decision for the proceeds to be reinvested in the new Kilmory site. 3.8 They are also requesting that the remaining 5% retention on the Eco-Hub, with a value of £5k which is yet to be drawn down, is also re-invested in the Kilmory site. It is estimated that these two items represent a total amount of £28.5k however this may change depending on the value of sale. Funds awarded to ACT would be drawn down on receipt of invoices for eligible expenditure. 4.0 CONCLUSION 4.1 The improvement works for Campbeltown war memorial require additional funding of up to £11,000 and it is recommended that this is transferred from the Crown Estate contingency funds that are held. 4.2 ACT are moving their operations and are requesting permission to sell their Eco- Hub, return the proceeds to the Council and are seeking an in principal decision for the proceeds, in addition to the remaining 5% retention, to be reinvested in the new Kilmory site. 5.0 IMPLICATIONS 5.1 Policy – There are no policy implication arising directly from this report. 5.2 Financial – There is an ask of Committee for up to £11,000 from Crown Estate
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contingency funding to ensure the completion of the works at Campbeltown War Memorial. 5.3 Legal – None arising from this report. 5.4 HR – There are no HR implications arising from this report. 5.5 Fairer Scotland Duty: 5.5.1 Equalities - protected characteristics – None. 5.5.2 Socio-economic Duty – None. 5.5.3 Islands – None. 5.6 Risk – There is a risk that the War Memorial works are not completed without the additional funding. To carry out the remaining works, scaffolding is required which comes at a cost – that cost totals more than the remaining funding available for this project. There is a risk that without permission to sell the Eco-Hub Act will have to remove the building at cost from its current site. This may impact on their budget for the development of the Kilmory site. 5.7 Climate Change – None arising directly from this report in relation to Campbeltown War Memorial. ACT’s Kilmory Rainforest Hub development is a focal point for activities including the Rainforest Squad, MAKI Pups, ACT Farm and Croft Woodland Advisor, Outdoor STEM, native tree nursery, rainforest volunteering, reCycle and more. 5.8 Customer Service – None. 5.9 The Rights of the Child (UNCRC) – None arising directly from this report. Kirsty Flanagan, Executive Director with responsibility for Road and Infrastructure Services/Development and Economic Growth Councillor Jim Lynch, Policy Lead for Economic Development, Islands, Rural Communities and Housing 26 November 2024 For further information contact: Fergus Murray, Head of Development and Economic Growth Fergus.Murray@argyll-bute.gov.uk Jim Smith, Head of Roads and Infrastructure Services Jim.Smith@argyll-bute.gov.uk