Public Consultation

• Roger Jackson - Portfolio Holder, Leisure & Cultural Services

• Kirsty Cole – Deputy Chief Executive

• Richard Lawrence – Chief Legal Officer

• Bryony Robins – Project Development Manager

• Andy Carolan – Business Manager, Leisure Centres

• Finance Team

What we are seeking your views on

• The proposal to sell the Gilstrap Centre

• The proposals and suggestions as to what the proceeds of the sale might be used for

Areas to be covered

• The financial context of the proposal in line with the Council spending

• Review the current heritage offer within Newark & Sherwood District Council

• Review the current usage for the Gilstrap Centre & Gilstrap Charity

• Set out the proposal for the Gilstrap Centre

• Set out some proposals regarding how the sale proceeds might be utilised

• Set the scene for the proposed new museum development

Financial Context • The Government grant to the council has reduced by £3m;

20% and is expecting additional reductions in 2013/2014

• The council has made big changes:

• Re-organisation/redundancies

• Reduction of services/needs assessment

• Shared services

• Tendering for other local authority services

• The council currently looking at investing approximately £2 million in a new museum for the district - spend to save

• The council is currently subsidising Gilstrap Centre £65,000 per annum

• The council has to demonstrate value for money in all its services and assets

Current Heritage Offer

• Newark Castle

• Gilstrap Centre & Gilstrap Charity

• Millgate Museum – currently leased until 2025

• Resource Centre

• Queens Sconce

• Old Magnus Buildings

Gilstrap Centre

• Kirsty Cole – Deputy Chief Executive

Gilstrap Centre – Current Offer

• Castle and Conflict display

• Newark Tourist Information Centre (not part of Trust and occupies under a lease granted by the Trust to District Council

• Public toilets

• Display gallery/meeting room

Gilstrap Centre Charity

Background

1883:

William Gilstrap gave land in Castlegate

on Trust to Borough of Newark for

purposes of a library

1884:

Former Borough of Newark made “one off” payment to Trust to enable whole of Castle Grounds (part of which were already in Council’s ownership) to be laid out as “public walks and pleasure grounds”.

Gilstrap Charity

Background (continued)

1990:

New Trust scheme following

construction of new Library in

Beaumond Gardens.

Purpose: “to use as an educational centre for the purpose of advancing public knowledge and understanding of features of historic interest in the area of benefit”

Gilstrap Charity – Assets and Liabilities

• Holds 1.7 acres of land on Lincoln Road – currently used as public open space

• Has income from investments; however, this is insufficient to meet liabilities (£131,615.94 endowment funds held by trust – interest on investments insufficient to meet liabilities – in year ended 31.3.11 investment income was £1,297.09)

• Outstanding loan to District Council for refurbishment works undertaken in 1991

Gilstrap Charity – Assets and Liabilities

• District Council currently funding deficit for operation and maintenance of the Gilstrap building and grounds in excess of £65,000 per annum

• District Council no longer

in a position to continue

funding deficit

Gilstrap Centre - Financial Overview

Proposal for the Gilstrap Centre

To sell the Gilstrap Centre to Nottinghamshire County Council, for the purposes of a Registrar’s Office

Proposal for the Gilstrap Centre

Benefits of sale:

• It will keep a vital service within Newark

• It will retain the building in public ownership

•The County Council have agreed that the charity have the option to “buy back” the facility if the County Council no longer require the building

• It will secure a viable use of the building, which will ensure that it is properly repaired and maintained

Proposal for the Gilstrap Centre

Benefits of sale:

The sale will release funds, which can be applied for the trust

purposes, including the following possible options:-

• Enhancing interpretation of the Castle and allowing greater public access e.g. to undercroft and towers

• “Flying Objects” programme

• Purchasing exhibits which would remain in ownership of Trust

• A bespoke “Gilstrap Room” in the Old Magnus Buildings celebrating history of Newark

• Will avoid the risk of the trust becoming insolvent

Gilstrap Centre

What would remain:

• Grade II listed building

• Public toilets

• Registrar's Office

• The significant fixtures and fittings within the

facility

Consultation Process What next:

• On line Consultation Form: www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/gilstrap

• In writing to Kirsty Cole – Deputy Chief Executive, Newark & Sherwood District Council

• The consultation process will remain open until 10th February 2012

• The General Purposes Committee of Newark and Sherwood District Council will take a decision on 16th February 2012 on whether it agrees to the proposals for sale, having reviewed the consultation responses

• The consultation responses will be submitted to the Charities Commission for a decision on whether they will approve a new scheme

Proposed New Museum

• Bryony Robins – Project Development Manager

• Andy Carolan – Business Manager, Leisure Centres

Old Magnus Buildings

Our vision is that the Old Magnus Buildings will become fundamental to the identity of the Newark district by providing a unique and inspiring cultural heritage

experience for the local community and visitors alike.

Our vision

• Develop a ‘must visit’ attraction

• Share the importance of Newark’s role in the

civil war

• Create a unique and vibrant community resource

• Create exciting learning environments

• Provide activities for all ages and abilities

• Develop partnership working arrangements

• Restore and interpret one of our most significant

historic buildings

• Capture the spirit of the site’s 475 year history

Project aims

• Sympathetic restoration, preservation and conservation

• Physical access to public spaces

• New build enhance historic styles

• Historic investigations

• Improve visitor experiences;

- exhibitions

- events, celebrations,

evening openings

- school, training, workshops and community use

• Heritage craft skills providing apprenticeships and jobs for young people

Architectural design scheme

The story of the district of Newark and its residents demonstrate the

resilience of ordinary lives set against the affairs of the nation and the world.

• The story of Newark and the surrounding area

• The British Civil Wars and Newark’s key role in them

• The history of the Old Magnus Buildings

The Museum

• February 15 submit stage 2 application to

national HLF board for over £3.2 million

• Decision end May

• Competitive process; approximately 4/5 are

successful

• If successful there will be approximately 2

year development period

• Open September 2014

• Project runs until March 2016 to include

learning and participation activities 1790 map

Project Schedule

• Provide joined-up tourism offer, promoting the

castle, Queen’s Sconce and museum

• Increase visitors from 32,544 - 60,000 annually

to the district

• Increase learning and participation from

13,394 - 17,000

• Increase volunteering from 28 – 64 placements

• Broaden the learning offer

• Increase district wide provision

• Attract additional 27,000 visitors per year to the district

• Generate £729,000 – £999,000 tourism spend annually

District wide impacts

QUESTIONS