Decision details

The Business Manager – Heritage & Culture presented a report advising Members of the results of the condition survey undertaken at Newark Castle and requesting that the schedule of work required be added to the Capital Programme for 2022/23. 

The  condition survey report was received in January 2022, and gave a matrix of repairs which had been RAG rated. The red items required immediate repair, amber to be placed on a five year schedule for completion by 2026, and green items which were for review post 2026. The report set out the impact the required repairs were having to the Castle’s operations, what works were necessary and the costs thereof.

It was proposed to add £570,000 to the capital programme to complete the urgent repairs, to protect the legacy of the Castle, to ensure the safety of the public visiting the site and to enable the grounds and green space to remain accessible to the public. It was also proposed that the Business Manager – Heritage & Culture reviews the past ten years’ repairs in conjunction with Corporate Property to assess the level of investment that had been made previously and better understand the future impact to the Council. 

AGREED      (unanimously) that:

(a)     the inclusion of this work in the 2022/23 Capital Programme for £570,000 be approved, to be funded from borrowing; and

(b)     the Business Manager - Heritage & Culture works with the Corporate Property Team to develop a management and maintenance plan to include all amber and green items from the condition survey, with any revenue implications to be picked up as part of 2023/24 revenue budget setting.

Reason for Recommendations

To ensure the preservation of Newark Castle, ensuring that the Castle and Gardens remain safe and accessible for residents and to mitigate the risk of unforeseen emergency work as the Gatehouse Project progresses.