A PUBLIC meeting has been called to discuss the future of Brecon’s revamped museum and new library amid speculation it could be handed over to a college.
The possibility of space in the refurbished library and new museum being allocated to the NPTC College has prompted to the National Lottery Heritage Fund to warn it could reconsider its financial contribution to the scheme.
Powys County Council refurbished the Brecknock Museum, which it owns, and has built a new library alongside it with the new centre named y Gaer.
The project has been hit by cost over runs and delays with the announcement over the introduction of the NPTC College leading to further uncertainty around the building prompting local county councillors Matthew Dorrance and David Meredith, who have said they fear the buildings could be "gifted" to the college, to organise a public meeting.
Here’s what you need to know:
When and where does the meeting take place?
It will be held on Tuesday, August 20 in the Castle of Brecon Hotel, starting at 7pm.
What does Cllr Dorrance have to say about the meeting?
"This public meeting is Brecon’s opportunity to listen to Powys County Council’s cabinet members about their proposals to change the way y Gaer will run when it opens. It will also give members of the public the chance to question the cabinet members about what the plans mean for our museum, our library and cultural services in our community."
Who is due to attend the meeting and what do they do?
Cabinet members Cllr Phyl Davies and Cllr Rachel Powell are both due to attend. Cllr Davies is the cabinet member for corporate property meaning he has responsibility for all of the council’s buildings, their maintenance and budgets.
Cllr Powell is the cabinet member for cultural services so has responsibilities for libraries and museums as well as any arts projects the council runs or for providing funding to other groups or events.
What are the plans involving the college at y Gaer?
That’s unclear. The council has said it is exploring opportunities with the NPTC’s Brecon Beacons College while the college has suggested it could combine some adult and community learning to the museum’s exhibits. The council has said no final decisions have been made.
Do we know any more?
Plans seen by the Brecon & Radnor Express show two large wings of the new library could allocated to the college along with a large community room, an education room and an office on the first floor. In the museum the large Sir John Lloyd Gallery and the Victorian classroom are also earmarked for the college. It is thought some of the rooms could be used by the college and for wider community use.
Is there opposition to the plans?
Yes. Labour Councillors Dorrance and Meredith have said they fear the building could be handed over to the NPTC College. There have been long term concerns over the council’s ability to fund the centre long term and it has always been the intention for volunteers to be central to its operation.
The Brecknock Society and Museum Friends is also opposed to the reallocation of space to the college. It fears the museum won’t be able to deliver the benefits promised and says the Sir John Lloyd Gallery has been specially fitted out, with the necessary environmental and security requirements, to host visiting exhibitions from any museum or gallery in the world and fears that opportunity could be lost.
When is y Gaer due to open?
"In a few months time," that’s what Powys council said in July.
That seems a bit vague, wasn’t y Gaer supposed to open some time ago?
Yes. It was originally expected the building would open in 2017 but delays pushed that back to spring 2018. It was then thought y Gaer could open on St David’s Day, March 1, this year but further delays meant that date was also missed.
What has caused the delays?
Planning delays held construction work up until summer 2016 and while work has taken place there have also been unexpected problems including around the removal of asbestos from the museum and there was a delay obtaining a specific type of stone due to puffins at the quarry.
What is the cost of the project - and is it over budget?
The current cost is just under £14 million, the original cost was given at £8m. In 2016 the council said it was putting £5m into the project and there was £4m made available from other partners, notably the lottery. Later that year the council had to ask for further funds from partners.
How has the council funded the refurbishment of the museum and the new library?
The council has used its capital budget (that covers the one off cost of new buildings and projects) and borrowing powers to fund its contribution. It has also received a grant of just under £3m from the National Lottery Heritage Fund towards repairing and restoring the museum building. Other grants have been received, including from the Welsh Government, and as well as funding from the Brecknock Society and Museum Friends and Brecknock Arts Trust which have also been able to access grants from other arts charities.
Is there a problem with the National Lottery grant?
We don’t know. The lottery has said it agreed to fund the repair and restoration of the museum and gallery to "revitalise this institution a key heritage resource for mid-Wales". It says it has been made aware of the plans to reallocate space for use by the college and it is holding talks with the council to "fully understand how this would potentially impact on the project’s original desired outcomes".
It says once it has considered its discussions with the council it will decide whether it needs to review its financial contribution.
Is the restoration of the museum and new library necessary?
That’s a judgement call but the council is required to maintain the upkeep of the Grade II* listed Shire Hall (the museum) which is 177 years old. When it became apparent significant repairs to the museum were required the council said a wider restoration scheme would be more cost effective than just making repairs to the museum roof. The museum has been closed since autumn 2011 and when y Gaer is open the existing library in Ship Street will close, with the possibility that could become a town centre base for the NPTC Brecon Beacons College.
The council has also said the scheme is a significant regeneration project for Brecon.