Officers have made applications to various external sources details of which are set out in Annexe 1. To date, £47,500 has been secured towards the project with applications totalling £115,000 yet to be determined. Officers are aware that in determining whether to award a Stage 2 grant the HLF would require assurance that any outstanding partnership funding has been secured. In addition to the current outstanding applications, officers are also in discussion with both Farnham Town Council and the Farnham Building Preservation Trust with regards to potential funding applications.
The current shortfall in funding is £66,500. If the Council agree to releasing the £25,000 grant from the CPF a shortfall of £41,500 will still exist but it is hoped that the outstanding applications as well as the potential funding applications to the Farnham Town Council and the Farnham Building Preservation Trust may be successful to cover this remaining shortfall. The Proposal 1. The proposed garden classroom will be a single storey building located in the rear garden of the Museum at a distance of 20m from the main house. It will replace the current flat-roofed, prefabricated building, which was built in the 1960’s. The garden classroom will be a multi-use facility, which would not only improve on the current facilities but will assist in attracting new audiences and developing/extending the current education programme. A wide range of additional activities will be developed which will open the Museum up to a large number of new users. The proposed multi use facility would provide a separate education room and exhibition/display room, which could be combined for larger activities/events or used by two different groups at the same time. The facility would also include toilet/wash facilities and a small kitchen area. The garden area at the back of the facility could also be brought back into use and provide an area of garden which could be used for educational purposes. Progress to date 2. The scheme requires planning permission and listed building consent as it is located within the curtilage of an existing Grade I listed building. Planning permission has now been secured and officers are awaiting the outcome of the listed building application which has been referred to the Government Office for consideration. 3. The Museum curator has delivered detailed presentations to the Farnham Building Presentation Trust, The Farnham Society and the Museum Society and Friends of Farnham Museum, as well as to a general meeting of identified stakeholders. The response to these presentations has demonstrated the significant amount of support within the community for the project and has helped to secure the elements of external funding as set out above. Officers are seeking an opportunity to present the proposal to Farnham Town Council with the hope that the Town Council may be in a position to contribute to the funding required to secure the project. Conclusion 4. In order to deliver the project and to satisfy the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) that all the necessary funding is in place prior to the Stage 2 application being considered in September, officers are seeking Council approval to earmark a grant of £25,000 from the Community Partnership fund towards the project. Recommendation The Executive is requested to recommend to the Council that a grant of £25,000 from the 2007/8 Community Partnership Fund be earmarked as a contribution. Background Papers (DoEL) There are no background papers (as defined by Section 100D(5) of the Local Government Act 1972) relating to this report. CONTACT OFFICER: Name: Julie Maskery Telephone: 01483 523432