Gorton Monastery Project PDF 101 KB - Fire Authority

GREATER MANCHESTER FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY
POLICY, RESOURCES AND
PERFORMANCE COMMITTEE
24 JULY 2014
Subject: GORTON MONASTERY PROJECT
Report of the County Fire Officer & Chief Executive
Report Author: Peter O’Reilly, Director of Prevention & Protection,
Tel 0161 608 4004 Email [email protected]
PURPOSE OF THE REPORT
The purpose of this report is to request the support of
Members for a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund by Gorton
Monastery. This will open up opportunities for Greater
Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) to
introduce a community safety hub on the site in
collaboration with the Monastery project.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1.
This report seeks approval from Members to support, in principle the
proposal for Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service to contribute
up to £250,000 to the Gorton Monastery ‘Sharing the Story’ project and
associated Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) bid.
INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND
2.
The Gorton Monastery ‘Sharing the Story’ project aims to complete the
restoration and improve access to the building, bring to life the visitor
experience, run a variety of entertaining activities and ultimately be
‘open every day for everyone’.
3.
GMFRS and Gorton Monastery held a series of meetings between
February and July 2014. These meetings brought together key
personnel from both organisations, with a view to GMFRS potentially
providing a financial contribution which would release additional grant
funding and allow for the creation of a dedicated community space
within Gorton Monastery.
CURRENT POSITION
4.
This project provides the opportunity for GMFRS to contribute funds
towards the Gorton Monastery Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) bid, which
if successful will release additional HLF grant funding of £2 million.
5.
Currently there are no Fire and Rescue Service community facilities in
Gorton and in return for an investment of up to £250,000 GMFRS will
have an independent, self-contained community space within Gorton
Monastery.
6.
Alongside the progression of the GMFRS Community Safety hub, at
our new Bury Operational Training and Development site, our intention
is to create interactive learning environments at other key locations
across Greater Manchester in a ‘hub and spoke’ type approach.
7.
This space within Gorton Monastery would initiate this approach, with
the GMFRS investment being directly used to incorporate technological
features similar to those currently in development for the new facility in
Bury.
8.
The intention would then be to link this space directly to the Community
Facility in Bury, along with the other future satellite sites, through the
use of technology to offer an innovative approach to Prevention
delivery.
9.
The project also involves the development of an action plan to create
and provide integrated activities which provide support to the local
community through volunteering and skills opportunities.
10.
These activities also refer to the HLF’s learning and participation aims
and offer the opportunity for GMFRS collaboration with the activities
grouped as follows:
Capacity building
Formal learning at the Monastery
Informal Learning at the Monastery
Conservation at the Monastery
Community at the Monastery
11.
Benefits:
The creation of a bespoke and innovative community space
within a prestigious building
Dedicated office space to accommodate the co-location of
GMFRS staff and volunteers
The opportunity to place ourselves at the heart of the community
of Gorton
Free and unlimited access to the independent community space
at all times
Full access to the entire building and grounds, subject to prior
existing booking restrictions
Expansion of GMFRS volunteering activities by incorporating the
‘friends of Gorton Monastery’ programme
The potential to expand our pathways to employment through
work experience placements, traineeships and apprenticeships
The opportunity to provide an original setting for the delivery of
additional youth engagement programmes such as the Prince’s
Trust Team Programme and Community Fire Cadets
OPTIONS/ALTERNATIVES
A)
Choose not to contribute – GMFRS can choose not to contribute
financially to the ‘Sharing the Story’ project and accompanying HLF
bid. There may then still be the potential to work with Gorton Monastery
to deliver collaborative Prevention activities as part of the project action
plan.
B)
Support in principle the proposal for GMFRS to contribute up to
£250,000 to the Gorton Monastery ‘Sharing the Story’ Project GMFRS can support the project with a financial contribution. This
investment will provide a unique, dedicated community space in Gorton
Monastery, and will extend our reach, created by the new Bury
Community facility, into the communities of Gorton and North East
Manchester.
PREFERRED OPTION
12.
The preferred option would be Option B as summarised above, which
would be for GMFRS to continue the partnership with Gorton
Monastery and support in principle the contribution of up to £250,000 to
the ‘Sharing the Story’ Project and accompanying HLF bid.
13.
A letter of support has been drafted (attached as Appendix 1) and
subject to Members’ approval will be forwarded on to Gorton
Monastery to accompany the HLF Stage 2 Bid Application.
CONSULTATION
14.
The proposal was considered by Chairs and CLT on 16 July 2014 who
were supportive of a letter being sent to Gorton Monastery to intimate a
financial contribution to their HLF bid which is due to be submitted early
August 2014.
15.
HLF funding approval is then expected by end of 2014, with site work
commencing by late summer/autumn 2015 and an anticipated opening
time of autumn 2016.
RESOURCES IMPLICATIONS
a)
Financial and Procurement
If approved the £250,000 will be provided as a one off payment
from reserves. It is the intention that ongoing revenue costs are
covered through income generated by the commercial use of the
premises, managed by Gorton Monastery on behalf of all
partners.
b)
Human Resources (including Equality & Diversity Implications)
Staffing of the community facility would be through a mix of
those working for the Monastery project, GMFRS staff and
volunteers.
c)
Legal and Constitutional
Agreements around the development and use of the premises
and community facility will be developed in consultation with the
Authority’s Solicitor.
d)
Health & Safety
Not Applicable
e)
Sustainability
Not Applicable
RECOMMENDATIONS
16.
Members are recommended to:
i)
Note the contents of this report
ii)
Approve a letter of support to the Gorton Monastery HLF bid
(Appendix 1).
STEVE McGUIRK
COUNTY FIRE OFFICER
& CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Download Report