Councillor Maddison was elected the Chairwoman for The Oldway Mansion and Grounds Steering Group (Working Party).

An apology for absence was received from Tim Eley.

To note The Oldway Mansion and Grounds Steering Group (Working Party), Terms of Reference which were approved by the Council on 25 May 2023 and to note the following attendees are the Steering Groups Invited External Advisors:

Jacob Brandon

Iris Butler

Tim Eley

Louise Gilson

Paul Hawthorne

Kathy Hughes

Mary Jenkins

Jo Jones

Colleen Moon

Chris Robson

The Director of Pride in Place read out the Terms of Reference for the working party which had been agreed by Council on 25 June 2023.  Members requested the Director of Pride in Place consider whether number 6 was still relevant.

The frequency of the meetings of The Oldway Mansion and Grounds Steering Group (Working Party) and work programme were noted.

The Director of Pride in Place presented the report compiled by the Project Director.  The Director Pride in Place highlighted the significant costs that would be required to get Oldway to a point where the building could be used.

The Project Directors report stressed that the first phase of the formative consultation was intended to test the emerging vision and how it aligned with the public's priorities to inform the masterplan.  The next stage would be to analyse the consultation results.  These results will inform the further development of the masterplan including recommendations for a phased approach to work over the next decade.

The Steering Group were informed that it was hoped that a detailed report on the opportunities for the rotunda, together with viability testing, funding opportunities as well as the development of a business plan would be available in August.

Contact with the Council – in response to a suggestion of there being a single point of contact within the Council, the Director of Pride in Place sought for queries to be raised with him in the first instance.