Agenda and minutes

Question:

I am extremely disappointed to hear that Welshpool will not have a library service over the holiday period and perhaps beyond with a press release saying that building works at Y Lanfa have not been completed on time for the announced temporary move.

This project is currently subject to a serious delay and the reopening of the  Library and the Powysland Museum has already been pushed down the road. During this time we have received the resignation of the highly regarded Museum Curator who was central to organising the refurbishment and display of valuable artifacts. 

As the Portfolio Holder quoted in the press release I would like you to answer the following questions:

1. Can you provide assurances that a detailed investigation will be carried out into the reasons for the delay that now leaves Welshpool without any library or museum services?

2. Can you give assurances that the council has contingency plans in place to ensure there is no further delay?

3. As you are not only the Portfolio Holder but also the County Councillor for Welshpool Castle Ward, where Y Lanfa is situated, can you give an assurance that you are actively working with officers to ensure

no more deadlines are missed?

4. Can you provide a confirmed date for the reopening of both the library and Museum at Y Lanfa?

5. Can you confirm that the recruitment process for a new Museum Curator is underway?

5. And can you provide assurances that the current or any future delays will not incur costs outside of the project budget?

Response by the Cabinet Member:

1. We will further discuss the reasons for the unplanned and unexpected delay with the Property team and other services, as part of the ongoing works, and collectively learn from issues that arose and reasons that caused the delay. The library has now reopened (on 6 January) in the Y Lanfa cottages on the Canal Yard in Welshpool.  We apologise it was not able to open on 23 and 24 December but this was specifically due to delays with lighting being installed.

2. As above – the service will continue to work with the Property team and other services to mitigate (as far as possible) any future issues or unexpected delays.

3. The capital project continues and there are no further delays anticipated within the project timeline. I have asked officers for regular updates on progress of the works.

4. The library opened in its temporary location on 6 January.  The museum plans to open nearer the summer (which has always been the intention as part of the project), and this will be determined by the appointment of the new Curator.

5. Yes, the vacant curator position will be advertised in January 2025 and we hope to recruit a new officer as soon as possible.

5. If applicable, any current or future costs incurred by unforeseeable delays will be taken out of the agreed project budget and the remaining works engineered to account for it.