To receive an update on the Torre Abbey New Beginnings Chapter One project and consider making recommendations to the Cabinet.

The Cabinet Member for Tourism & Culture and Corporate Services, Councillor Jackie Thomas, Torre Abbey Manager, Lucinda Heron and the Service Manager for Culture and Events, Phil Black, presented the submitted report on the Torre Abbey New Beginnings Chapter One project and responded to questions. 

Members were advised that this project would be the first stage in a two-part project and that chapter two would follow in succession.  The project was the start of the journey to ensure Torre Abbey remained financially stable for the future.   

Members asked questions in relation whether any studies had been carried out to identify the biodiversity of the lower meadow;  would historical themed events be held on site in the future; would a timetable be provided to Members which included more detail and costs involved in the project; where will the proposed new visitor centre be located and what will the building be used for; how did Management foresee income being generated on site; what plans had been developed for Community engagement throughout the project;  and how would the aspiration of the site becoming 75% carbon neutral by 2030 be achieved.

Members were advised that through the development phase for the site, archaeological advice would be considered.  The team currently did not have any data as to the biodiversity of the lower meadow but have been pleased by how the area has rewilded. 

The Board were advised that The New Beginnings Project would help to unlock the ability for various events including historical events to be held onsite at Torre Abbey, within the grounds and in the redeveloped Spanish Barn.  Conversations were taking place for the Torre Abbey team to visit Glastonbury Abbey to review and learn from the operation of the scheduled monument. 

In response to the question regarding a timetable for more detailed information and costs, the Board were advised that the project is currently in the early stages and had recently appointed the new staff roles for the project which included an Architect, Quantity Surveyor, Project Manager and Project Team made up of a Client and Revenue Liaison Manager, Fundraiser and a Stakeholder Engagement and Activity Plan Co-ordinator.  A year of surveys would be required to be completed for the site.  However, at a future Board meeting, more detailed information could be provided. 

Members noted that the proposed new visitor centre would be located outside of the current pay barrier and would include retail space.  The introduction of the visitor centre would help to drive footfall of visitors into Torre Abbey. 

Members were advised that throughout the two stages of the project, Torre Abbey would remain open for visitors as the regeneration project would have less impact on the Mansion.  With the redevelopment and building works to be completed on the Spanish Barn, the Barn would become an all-year-round useable facility with a new ancillary support building built which would include toilet facilities to enable the Spanish Barn to be used for Event Hire. 

The Board were advised that a team member had been appointed as a Stakeholder Engagement and Activity Plan Co-ordinator, from within the current team and they would bring their knowledge and existing relationships within Torbay to the role. 

Members noted that the main Mansion would never be able to be converted to become carbon neutral due to the complexity and history of the building.  However, through the previous redevelopment works to the Abbey, small changes had been implemented to help with energy efficiencies within the Mansion.  Through the New Beginnings Scheme, any new buildings would be purpose built and built to be carbon neutral.  Within the redevelopment works of the Spanish Barn, a new infrared heating system would be implemented that would heat the people within the building and not just the building itself.  The team were also investigating creative methods to insulate the Barn.   

Resolved (unanimously):

1.    that Overview and Scrutiny Board notes the submitted report on the Torre Abbey New Beginnings Chapter One project;

2.    that for the lower meadow at Torre Abbey, that environmental aspects are considered as well as archaeological aspects for the meadow; and

3.    to bring back to a future meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Board, an update on the Spanish Barn redevelopment and the results of the various surveys once completed.