Agenda item

5.1

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director of Neighbourhoods setting out the feasibility of a number of options for the Rose Garden Café. The report informed the committee of the issues, opportunities and risks of each of the options, including funding and delivery options. Approval was sought for officers, in partnership with stakeholders, to pursue the restoration option and proceed with developing a restoration strategy for the Rose Garden Café.   

5.2

RESOLVED: That the Charity Trustees Sub-Committee approve:-

1.The proposal for Sheffield City Council, in partnership with stakeholders, to develop a strategy for the restoration of the Rose Garden Café building (options 2A and 2B), pausing work on a replacement building approach (design options 3 and 4) and a limited works approach (design options 1 and 5).

2.That the Rose Garden Café Partnership once established creates an action plan to develop the strategy for restoration, which will include defining the following:

•      A framework for a proportionate public consultation on the Rose Garden Café.

•      Establish funding sources to meet the structural remediation and building refurbishment works.

•      Agree a strategy for public communication.

5.3

Reasons for Decision

Given the findings in this report we believe that the recommendation to develop a restoration approach in partnership with stakeholders is currently the only viable option to achieving all the following;

-         Aligns with the charitable objectives of Graves Park.

[1] “The provision and maintenance of a park and recreation ground for use by the public with the object of improving their conditions of life.”

-         Meets the initial commissioning brief objectives.

Objective 1 - 'improve facilities for the city’.

Objective 2 - 'maximise revenue for each facility’. 

-         Provides a café in Graves Park.

5.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

5.4.1

Two alternative design approaches considered are:

-         Limited works not providing a café (design options 1 and 5)

-         Existing building replaced, providing a café (design options 3 and 4)

Please see sections 1.5 and 1.7 summarising why it is recommended for work to be paused on these design options.

5.4.2

Alternative funding and delivery models considered and concluded not feasible at present are:

-          A restoration or replacement building solution where Sheffield City Council are the sole funder, as available funds cannot at this time meet the full costs.

-          A replacement building solution in partnership with the Friends of Graves Park and Save the Rose Garden Café Campaign as both groups have publicly stated they are only willing to support a restoration approach.

-          A restoration or replacement building solution where an operator commits to solely funding and delivering either approach given the extent of the estimated costs.

5.4.3

Alternative to a partnership approach

We recognise that a restoration approach funded and delivered solely by stakeholders is a possibility. However, we believe that working in partnership provides the best opportunity to improve facilities and meet the charity objectives through a collaboration of skills, resources and funds.

5.1.1

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director of Neighbourhoods setting out the feasibility of a number of options for the Rose Garden Café. The report informed the committee of the issues, opportunities and risks of each of the options, including funding and delivery options. Approval was sought for officers, in partnership with stakeholders, to pursue the restoration option and proceed with developing a restoration strategy for the Rose Garden Café.   

5.1.2

Members discussed the justification for further consultation work, particularly in the context of applying for grant funding where this would be a requirement. It was also acknowledged that the work of the partnership could commence whilst the consultation process was taking place simultaneously to avoid further delays.

5.1.3

A question was asked regarding whether the partnership would be able to source their own quotes for work on the site and it was explained that once a plan of work had been determined by the partnership then a procurement process would take place and would involve the partnership to ensure that best value was achieved.

5.1.4

Officers emphasised that the feasibility study included in the report had been carried out as they were duty bound to consider every option available but that no further work would be carried out on the options to demolish or replace the existing building. The Assistant Director for Legal Services clarified that it was not possible at that stage to remove these options completely because the committee did not have sufficient information to make that decision. There were too many unknown factors to be able to categorically rule out those options.

5.2

RESOLVED: That the Charity Trustees Sub-Committee approve:-

1.The proposal for Sheffield City Council, in partnership with stakeholders, to develop a strategy for the restoration of the Rose Garden Café building (options 2A and 2B), pausing work on a replacement building approach (design options 3 and 4) and a limited works approach (design options 1 and 5).

2.That the Rose Garden Café Partnership once established creates an action plan to develop the strategy for restoration, which will include defining the following:

•      A framework for a proportionate public consultation on the Rose Garden Café.

•      Establish funding sources to meet the structural remediation and building refurbishment works.

•      Agree a strategy for public communication.

5.3

Reasons for Decision

Given the findings in this report we believe that the recommendation to develop a restoration approach in partnership with stakeholders is currently the only viable option to achieving all the following;

-         Aligns with the charitable objectives of Graves Park.

[1] “The provision and maintenance of a park and recreation ground for use by the public with the object of improving their conditions of life.”

-         Meets the initial commissioning brief objectives.

Objective 1 - 'improve facilities for the city’.

Objective 2 - 'maximise revenue for each facility’. 

-         Provides a café in Graves Park.

5.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

5.4.1

Two alternative design approaches considered are:

-         Limited works not providing a café (design options 1 and 5)

-         Existing building replaced, providing a café (design options 3 and 4)

Please see sections 1.5 and 1.7 summarising why it is recommended for work to be paused on these design options.

5.4.2

Alternative funding and delivery models considered and concluded not feasible at present are:

-          A restoration or replacement building solution where Sheffield City Council are the sole funder, as available funds cannot at this time meet the full costs.

-          A replacement building solution in partnership with the Friends of Graves Park and Save the Rose Garden Café Campaign as both groups have publicly stated they are only willing to support a restoration approach.

-          A restoration or replacement building solution where an operator commits to solely funding and delivering either approach given the extent of the estimated costs.

5.4.3

Alternative to a partnership approach

We recognise that a restoration approach funded and delivered solely by stakeholders is a possibility. However, we believe that working in partnership provides the best opportunity to improve facilities and meet the charity objectives through a collaboration of skills, resources and funds.