Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors M French, K Horn and S Lambeth.

Under the Code of Conduct members are reminded that in declaring interests you should make clear the nature of that interest and whether it is a disclosable pecuniary interest, registerable interest or other interest.

Councillor Paul Lees advised that some Members had received correspondence from a third party in relation to an item on the agenda. It was confirmed that this did not constitute a disclosable pecuniary interest and no declarations of interest were made.

To receive questions from members of the public under rule no.10 of the Council Procedure Rules. The procedure rule provides that members of the public may ask any question on any matter in relation to which the Council has powers or duties which affect the District, provided that three clear days’ notice in writing has been given to the Head of Legal and Support Services.

There were no public questions.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 25 February 2026.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 25 February 2026.

It was moved by Councillor A Barker, seconded by Councillor L Windram    and

RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the meeting held on 25 February 2026 be approved as a correct record of proceedings.

To consider any outstanding actions from previous meetings.

The update was noted.

To report on Cabinet’s response to recommendations made by the Community Scrutiny Committee.

The update was noted.

Report of the Head of Economic Regeneration and Property

Councillor A Woodman, Portfolio Holder, presented the report. 

The Chair welcomed Mark Scothern, the Chair of the Moira Furnace Museum Trust, to the meeting who was invited to address the Committee.  He thanked the Council and officers for their ongoing support and highlighted the success of the recent reopening event.  He confirmed that the Trust were in full support of the phase two proposals and was looking forward to continuing to work in partnership with the Council.

Several questions of clarity were asked and responded to by officers.

Members welcomed the improvements made to the site and praised the quality of the refurbishment works. The Furnace was described as one of the district’s key heritage and tourism assets, and members highlighted the importance of continuing to promote the positive work undertaken by the Council.

Several Members raised concerns regarding potential parking charges, stressing the need to avoid excessive charges that could deter visitors or local residents. Suggestions included consideration of local resident concessions and ensuring a balance between income generation and accessibility.

Questions were raised about the Council’s responsibilities as custodian of a historic building. Officers confirmed that all necessary consents had been obtained and that Historic England requirements had been met.

Members discussed the tight delivery timetable in the context of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). Officers acknowledged the challenging timescales but advised that delaying approval would significantly increase the risk of the project not proceeding. Arrangements were being made to support continuity, including risk management and handover planning.

A discussion was held on the positive impact the site had on the area including reducing anti-social behaviour, volunteer engagement, opportunities for younger people and work experience placements. Planned future activities as well as possible ideas for the future were also acknowledged.

Officers clarified the funding process and the forthcoming proposal to Cabinet to allocate the £2,455,000 investment required to continue with the improvements at Moira Furnace.  The Committee were in full support of the project, and it was therefore recommended that Cabinet allocate the funding required as detailed within the report.

The Committee noted the phase one works completed in 2025/26.

RECOMMENDED THAT CABINET:

Allocate the £2,455,000 over the two-year period 2026-2028 to the Council’s Capital Programme from the Business Rates Reserve for improvements at Moira Furnace.

To consider any items to be included in the work programme. The plan of forthcoming Cabinet decisions and the current work programme are attached for information.

Consideration was given to the future work programme and it was noted.

The officers consider that the press and public should be excluded during consideration of the following items in accordance with Section 100(a) of the Local Government Act 1972 as publicity would be likely to result in disclosure of exempt or confidential information.  Members are reminded that they must have regard to the public interest test and must consider, for each item, whether the public interest in maintaining the exemption from disclosure outweighs the public interest in making the item available.

It was moved by Councillor T Eynon, seconded by Councillor M Ball and

RESOLVED THAT:

In pursuance of Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting on the grounds that the business to be transacted involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act and that the public interest in maintaining this exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Report of the Head of Economic Regeneration and Property

Councillor A Woodman, Portfolio Holder, presented the report.

Several questions of clarity were asked and responded to by officers.

The committee considered the report and provided comments for Cabinet.