Agenda item

Report from the Leader of the Council.

Decision

1.     Cabinet approves the installation of the statue on St Peter’s Hill Green, in accordance with the agreed planning permission. 

2.     Cabinet approves a budget allocation from the Local Priorities Reserve and authorise expenditure of up to £100k to underwrite the statue-unveiling event and any consequential works.   Any fundraising from the public, businesses and others will go towards funding this budget allocation.

3.     Cabinet approves the engagement of an external organisation, as part of the above allocation, to coordinate the unveiling, including event management, communications and fundraising campaign.

4.     Cabinet delegates to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader and the Monitoring Officer, the authority to enter into a deed of gift agreement with The Public Memorials Appeal to transfer the ownership of the statue to the Council from the point of installation.

Considerations/reasons for decision

·       Report from the Leader of the Council on Public Realm Improvements, St Peter’s Hill, Grantham.

·       The statue project was the result of an agreement between Grantham Community Heritage Association (GCHA, aka Grantham Museum), South Kesteven District Council and The Public Memorials Appeal.

·       The unveiling of the statue would provide an opportunity for Grantham’s community to celebrate its heritage.

·       The statue was expected to attract many visitors to the area, which would increase Grantham and South Kesteven’s status as a destination for tourism both nationally and internationally and would contribute to the local economy.

·       That the funding for the event would be underwritten by the Council with the intension that fund raising events and public donations would contribute to most of the costs.

·       On-going maintenance costs for the statue would be met by existing maintenance budgets and would be reviewed by the Council as part of the annual budget setting process from 2022/23 onwards.

·       All planning conditions following planning approval granted on 5 February 2019 had been met and discharged.

·       Continued liaison with Lincolnshire Partnership’s Safety Advisory Group about the unveiling event.

Other options considered

The Council could install the statue with little or no event to support it. 

The Leader of the Council presented the report on the project to deliver and install a statue of the late Baroness Margaret Thatcher on St Peter’s Hill, Grantham, as the Country’s first female Prime Minister who was born in Grantham.  The statue had been commissioned and funded by The Public Memorials Appeal and planning permission to erect the statue had been granted. 

The Leader of the Council referred to the economic impact that Covid-19 had had on businesses and tourist attractions. The unveiling of the statue event would draw many visitors to the area and would help to boost the local economy and benefit the local shops and businesses.

The Leader stated that an event of this type had significant cost implications and it was proposed that the cost of the event would be undertaken by a comprehensive fund raising campaign.   The expectation was that the cost of the event would be fully met through voluntary donations and not at the expense of the public purse.

The report recommended that an experienced event company be appointed to make sure that the event was carried out safely and effectively. To maximise opportunities to promote South Kesteven, and to keep both residents and businesses safe.

Reference was made to the debate about the legacy of Baroness Thatcher, which had been highlighted in the press and social media.  It was stated that the event provided an opportunity for the community of Grantham to celebrate its heritage and promote the district of South Kesteven both nationally and internationally.  A significant national figure would be undertaking the unveiling.

The Leader reiterated his belief that the full funding of the event would be met by fund raising and donations with the potential to provide a legacy to look after the statue and make contributions to Grantham Museum and the exhibits on display.

Cabinet Members supported the proposal, but acknowledged that she was seen by some as a divisive figure.  However, it was a fact that she was the first female Prime Minister who was born in Grantham.  This heritage should be celebrated and promoted to enhance visitor economy to the area.  It was suggested that the local retailers and businesses should be contacted by the external event company so that everyone could be involved in the event and encourage visitors to the area. 

Further support was given to the proposal by a non-Cabinet Member who quoted the increase in police officers during Baroness Thatcher’s term of office.  One non-Cabinet Member was against having the statue and he urged the Leader to hold a referendum with the residents of Grantham to see if they supported having a statue on St Peter’s Hill.

On being put to the vote, it was AGREED:

1.     To approve the installation of the statue on St Peter’s Hill Green, in accordance with the agreed planning permission. 

2.     To approve a budget allocation from the Local Priorities Reserve and authorise expenditure of up to £100k to underwrite the statue-unveiling event and any consequential works.   Any fundraising from the public, businesses and others will go towards funding this budget allocation.

3.     To approve the engagement of an external organisation, as part of the above allocation, to coordinate the unveiling, including event management, communications and fundraising campaign.

4.     To delegate to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader and the Monitoring Officer, the authority to enter into a deed of gift agreement with The Public Memorials Appeal to transfer the ownership of the statue to the Council from the point of installation.