Issue - items at meetings - Maintenance of Historic Buildings

Report of the Strategic Director; Place (copy attached).

That the updated register of listed buildings that are considered to be ‘at risk’ is endorsed (Appendix 1).

77.1    The Committee considered a report of the Strategic Director, Place providing an the annual update on the pro-active programme to ensure the re-use, repair and restoration of historic buildings in the city, including the enforcement of works where necessary. It included an updated register of those listed buildings considered to be ‘at risk’ (Appendix 1) and an updated list of other historic buildings where significant action was ongoing to secure repair and redecoration works to improve their appearance (Appendix 2).

77.2    Councillor Brown stated that she had read the report with interest. She had noted that three of the buildings referred to were in the Council’s ownership and it was important that the Council was seen to be pro-active in addressing issues relating to its own buildings too.

77.3    Councillor C Theobald was disappointed to note the state of neglect of some of the City’s buildings such as the Hippodrome, The Astoria and Marlborough House, she hoped that action to facilitate improvements to their current state of repair could be effected in the near future.

77.4    Councillor Mac Cafferty commended the work carried out by and role of the Heritage Team in seeking to effect the necessary repairs to the cities historic buildings. There was cross–party agreement on the need to protect the quality of the built environment for the benefit of residents and visitors alike. He referred to the number of historic and listed buildings located in his own ward and to the measures taken to ensure they were preserved appropriately.

77.5    Councillor Hawtree welcomed the report which provided a useful point of reference detailing as it did what had been achieved and those buildings where action was ongoing.

77.6    Councillor Fitch referred to Hangleton Manor as an example of a success story having been restored by the current owner who operated it as a restaurant as an important historical building which could be enjoyed by all.

77.7    RESOLVED - That the updated register of listed buildings that are considered to be ‘at risk’ as set out in (Appendix 1) to the report is endorsed.