Issue - meetings

The report describes progress to date on the Archway Centre project to create a World Heritage Centre and Roman Baths Learning Centre adjacent to the Roman Baths complex in Bath city centre.

Supporting slides are attached.

Stephen Bird, Head of Heritage Services gave a presentation to the Panel  on the ‘Archway Centre Project’ (copies of this presentation are saved with the agenda papers for this meeting).

Panel members made the following points and asked the following questions:

Councillor O’Brien commented that maybe video representations could be used more to generate an atmosphere.

Councillor Ball welcomed the presentation.

Councillor Appleyard asked about the buildings to the side and if there will be security of tenure. The officer responded that the buildings are currently occupied by retail and maintenance for the Roman Baths and there will be security of tenure.

Councillor Macrae stated that the project is fantastic and that we should say there are commercial interests involved. The officer stated that the commercial element won’t be to the fore. He added that our role is as a public body but if sponsors can be involved then this will be taken up.

In response to a query on the funding by Councillor Blackburn, the officer reported that 90% of the funding is in place and there have also been offers of work in kind from Wessex Water for example. The foundation has had £30k in philanthropic gifts. A visit is planned for major developers and start-ups.

Councillor Appleyard asked about the increased capacity, the officer responded that currently 10 thousand children a year come to the venue but this plan would see the figure rise to 25 thousand.

Councillor Appleyard thanked the officer for the presentation and for the offer to show the Panel around the site.