Agenda item

RESOLVED:

That the Executive:

a)    Noted the achievements of the Chester House Estate since its opening and the planned events, activities and opportunities for 2022-23 and the coming years.

b)    Approved the refreshed Business Plan attached at Appendix A of the report

c)    Delegated authority to the Executive Member for Leisure, Sport, Culture and Tourism, in conjunction with the Executive Director for Adults, Communities and Wellbeing, to take the actions necessary to ensure successful delivery of the Business Plan.

Reasons for Recommendations: Approval for these recommendations will allow for officers to ensure that the Executive are able to strategically manage Chester House Estate and that Chester House Estate is resourced to ensure successful delivery of the Chester House Business Plan

Alternative Options Considered: The Chester House Business Plan is a live document as projections and activity planning is refreshed on a regular basis. However, the Executive has previously requested that when the Business Plan is formally revised to correspond with the start of a financial year that it is brought before the Executive for approval. If the Estate is not resourced appropriately then there could be a detrimental effect on service delivery.

The Chair invited Cllr Dorothy Maxwell to address the meeting. Cllr Maxwell congratulated the Council on the achievements of Chester House Estate and referenced sustainable travel options and connectivity with the site as means of increasing footfall.

The Chair thanked Cllr Maxwell for her attendance and invited Cllr Jim Hakewill to speak. Cllr Hakewill spoke to query why there were no parking charges at the site and referenced the refreshed business plan. Cllr Hakewill also called for profits from the project to be placed in the Council’s reserves with funding bids required for future utilisation.

The Chair thanked Cllr Hakewill for his contribution before Cllr Helen Howell, Executive Member for Sport, Leisure, Culture and Tourism introduced a report that sought to update Members with the current performance of the Chester House Estate since its opening in October 2021, including the projected year-end financial outturn, and to present a revised Business Plan for 2022-23 onwards based on current performance and the new programme of events for the forthcoming year.

Cllr Howell reported that since the project opened the team leading the brand new heritage visitor attraction had worked incredibly hard to deliver a sustainable commercial business plan that supported a large and pioneering education offering for all ages, a community engagement programme, one of the largest archaeological archiving centres in Europe and a free to enter large open green space for the people of North Northamptonshire and beyond to enjoy and engage with over 10,000 years of history and heritage.

The meeting heard that the site had been open for six months, with the initial business plan delivered and a forecasted loss of £115,000 turned into a surplus of £30,000, exceeding all expectations. This surplus had been generated as a result of an increase in catering, retail and accommodation spend as well as positive event engagement.

Members noted that the next challenge facing the project was sustainability in the demand of the business and ensuring the visitor experience, learning programmes and archive centre were the best that could be offered. Accordingly, the Chester House Leadership Team had refreshed the business plan to ensure there was an appropriate staffing level and budget to meet the current demand, but also to have the capacity to grow. This included the introduction of a new Deputy Manager, an Events Officer and increased budgets for casual staffing.

Members were advised that the income forecast had increased significantly, with much of the income already achieved in confirmed future bookings.

The Chair spoke to welcome the project as the “jewel in the crown” of the Council’s tourist offer, noting its success with residents and those living outside Northamptonshire. It was heard that, in reference to Cllr Hakewill’s comment regarding parking charges, their introduction would move away from the spirit that anyone was free to come and enjoy the facility.

All Members of the Executive took the opportunity to speak positively regarding the outcomes of the project to date and to thank the staff involved that had worked hard to bring it to the current point. Cllr Graham Lawman stated that consideration would be given by his service area to travel options and connectivity going forward.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive:

a)    Noted the achievements of the Chester House Estate since its opening and the planned events, activities and opportunities for 2022-23 and the coming years.

b)    Approved the refreshed Business Plan attached at Appendix A of the report

c)    Delegated authority to the Executive Member for Leisure, Sport, Culture and Tourism, in conjunction with the Executive Director for Adults, Communities and Wellbeing, to take the actions necessary to ensure successful delivery of the Business Plan.

Reasons for Recommendations: Approval for these recommendations will allow for officers to ensure that the Executive are able to strategically manage Chester House Estate and that Chester House Estate is resourced to ensure successful delivery of the Chester House Business Plan

Alternative Options Considered: The Chester House Business Plan is a live document as projections and activity planning is refreshed on a regular basis. However, the Executive has previously requested that when the Business Plan is formally revised to correspond with the start of a financial year that it is brought before the Executive for approval. If the Estate is not resourced appropriately then there could be a detrimental effect on service delivery.