Issue - meetings

Report of Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture

The Committee considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture updating them on progress with regard to the development of the Staffordshire History Centre (schedule 1 to the signed minutes).

Staffordshire County Council and William Salt Library had been working in partnership since 2025 to create and deliver the Staffordshire History Centre project. The Project was part funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund and envisaged a new facility located on Eastgate Street, Stafford. The Centre was to become a key part of the County’s cultural and heritage visitor offer, bringing three collections together for the first time and delivering a four-year programme of activities. It was anticipated that it would be opened to the public in Autumn 2024. 

During the full and wide-ranging discussion which ensued, Members gave detailed scrutiny to the progress made in the Project, asking questions, seeking clarification and raising areas of concern as necessary including:- (i) the ‘carbon footprint’ of the new building having regard to its energy efficient design and use of renewable power sources; (ii) scope for accommodating/displaying museum grade artefacts to the public in the absence of a County Museum; (iii) security considerations relating to the design of the Centre having regard to the value of its contents; (iv) the visual impact of the access to the site within the context of the wider regeneration of Eastgate Street; (v) future promotion of the Centre as a local and national visitor attraction and; (vi) building links to other sites of historical interest within Stafford town and beyond.

In conclusion, Members were pleased with the progress made in the Project to date and paid tribute to the Cabinet Member and her team for their valuable work in bringing it nearer to fruition. They agreed that completion of the Centre would be a significant addition to Destination Staffordshire and looked forward to further positive updates during the period leading up to the official opening in 2024.

RESOLVED – (a) That the report be received and noted.

(b) That satisfactory progress had been achieved to date in the development of the Staffordshire History Centre.

(c) That further updates be brought to the Committee, as necessary.