Issue - meetings
Abberley House - Roof Repair Project
Meeting: 04/06/2026 - Cabinet (Item 247)
247 Asset Management - Abberley House/ Corinium Museum Roof Repair Project 
PDF 539 KB
Purpose
To update Cabinet on the Abberley House Roof Repair Project and the seek delegated authority to proceed with the works post the procurement process.
Recommendations
That Cabinet resolves to:
1. Agree that repair work to the roof is to be expedited
2. Delegate authority to the Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, to receive quotations for the repair work and to instruct work to be carried out and to deal with minor matters arising during the works.
Additional documents:
- Annex A Abberley House&Corinium Museum Roof Plan Zones, item 247
PDF 709 KB
- Annex B – Abberley House&Corinium Museum Scope of Works, item 247
PDF 487 KB
- Webcast for Asset Management - Abberley House/ Corinium Museum Roof Repair Project
Decision:
The purpose of the item was to update the Cabinet on the Abberley House Roof Repair Project and the seek delegated authority to proceed with the works post the procurement process.
Councillor Patrick Coleman, Cabinet Member for Finance, introduced the report and moved the recommendations. Cabinet was asked to approve the expediting of repair works to the roof of Abberley House, which houses the Corinium Museum, and to delegate authority to the Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, to obtain quotations, appoint contractors and deal with minor matters arising during the course of the works.
The Cabinet Member explained that officers had identified funding that was expected to be sufficient to undertake the required repairs. He noted the importance of the Corinium Museum to the district and the longstanding cross-party support for investment in the museum and its facilities. Reference was made to the need to protect the historic fabric of Abberley House as a listed building and to ensure that the property remained weatherproof and fit for purpose.
Cabinet was advised that the specialist nature of the building and its roof presented particular challenges. However, confidence was expressed that suitably experienced contractors could be secured, given the availability of specialist heritage construction expertise within the district.
In supporting the proposals, the Leader of the Council highlighted the Council's responsibilities as owner of the listed building and the importance of maintaining a watertight roof for the benefit of both the museum and other occupiers of the property. It was noted that further pre-construction investigations would consider whether the installation of solar panels could be accommodated as part of the project, subject to heritage and technical considerations.
Cabinet welcomed the progress made by officers in bringing forward the proposals and supported the recommended approach to progressing the repair works.
The recommendations were proposed by Councillor Patrick Coleman and seconded by Councillor Paul Evans.
Cabinet RESOLVED to:
1. Agree that repair work to the roof should be expedited
2. Delegate authority to the Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, to receive quotations for the repair work; to instruct work to be carried out; and to deal with minor matters arising during the works.
Voting record:
7 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstentions.
Councillor Dale, attending virtually, was not eligible to vote.
Minutes:
The purpose of the item was to update the Cabinet on the Abberley House Roof Repair Project and the seek delegated authority to proceed with the works post the procurement process.
Councillor Patrick Coleman, Cabinet Member for Finance, introduced the report and moved the recommendations. Cabinet was asked to approve the expediting of repair works to the roof of Abberley House, home to the Corinium Museum, and to delegate authority to the Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, to obtain quotations, appoint contractors and deal with minor matters arising during the course of the works.
The Cabinet Member explained that officers had identified funding that was expected to be sufficient to undertake the required repairs. He noted the importance of the Corinium Museum to the district and the longstanding cross-party support for investment in the museum and its facilities. Reference was made to the need to protect the historic fabric of Abberley House as a listed building and to ensure that the property remained weatherproof and fit for purpose.
Cabinet was advised that the specialist nature of the building and its roof presented particular challenges. However, confidence was expressed that suitably experienced contractors could be secured, given the availability of specialist heritage construction expertise within the district and the significant number of historic and listed buildings in the area.
In supporting the proposals, the Leader of the Council highlighted the Council's responsibilities as owner of the listed building and the importance of maintaining a watertight roof for the benefit of both the museum and other occupiers of the property. It was noted that the roof's complex design had contributed to the challenges in identifying the required repairs. The Leader also referred to further pre-construction investigations that would consider whether the installation of solar panels could be accommodated as part of the project, subject to heritage and technical considerations.
The Leader invited any questions for clarity and then moved to the debate.
Members debated the item and made the following points:
· Members welcomed the progress made by officers in identifying the issues and bringing forward proposals to undertake the necessary repairs.
· Support was expressed for the Council taking a proactive approach to maintaining its assets and protecting an important listed building and cultural facility.
· Members emphasised the importance of ensuring that the repair works provided a long-term solution and addressed the underlying causes of the roof defects.
· It was noted that investing in the repairs at this stage would help protect the building, reduce the risk of further deterioration and avoid potentially greater costs in the future.
· Members welcomed the intention to explore opportunities for the installation of solar panels as part of the project, where this could be achieved without compromising the historic character of the building.
Having nothing more to add the recommendations were proposed by Councillor Patrick Coleman and seconded by Councillor Paul Evans.
Voting record:
7 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstentions.
Councillor Dale, attending virtually, was not eligible to vote.