Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.      Welcomes the commitment of the Council and the Government to secure the future of the RAF Battle of Britain Bunker Enclave.

2.      Authorises the acquisition of the RAF Battle of Britain Bunker Enclave by the Council from the Ministry of Defence.

3.      Agrees to accept a grant of £1m from HM Treasury.

4.      Agrees to accept a gift of the leasehold land hatched black on the site plan from the Ministry of Defence and Annington Property Limited.

5.      Instructs the Borough Solicitor to complete the legal documentation to facilitate all property transactions which are the subject of the report.

6.      Authorises the Council to undertake all necessary works to refurbish and renovate the RAF Battle of Britain Bunker Enclave.

7.      Notes that the Council will give consideration to applying for Heritage Lottery Funding.

8.      Delegates authority to the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Business Services, in consultation with the Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director of Residents Services, to make all necessary decisions to give effect to the above recommendations and any other decisions which are required in relation to the RAF Battle of Britain Bunker Enclave.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet received a report to secure the future of the RAF Battle of Britain Bunker given its significant historical importance, not only to the Borough itself, but also nationwide. In a fitting tribute alongside the 75^th anniversary of the Battle of Britain commemorations, Cabinet welcomed the Council's plans to construct a state-of-the-art Battle of Britain Education and Visitor's Centre and thanked the Member of Parliament for Uxbridge & South Ruislip for his support on this matter.

Cabinet made a comprehensive set of decisions at the meeting to ensure that all possible steps would be taken to ensure that the Bunker and its environs were renovated, refurbished and preserved for generations to come.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Due the Council's commitment to this project and as resources had already been earmarked along with money granted from the UK Government, the Cabinet considered no other options.

Officers to action:

Raj Alagh, Administration Directorate

Michael Paterson, Residents Services

Classification: Public

The report and any background papers relating to this decision by the Cabinet are available to view on the Council's website or by visiting the Civic Centre, Uxbridge.