‘We will have final say on Shirehall’ – Council

Herefordshire Council has insisted it will have the final say on whether the multi-million-pound million scheme to turn Hereford's Shirehall into a library and learning centre goes ahead.

This follows an announcement yesterday by the Stronger Hereford Board, which administers the Government’s Stronger Towns Fund cash for a range of projects in the city, that it was recommending not funding the Shirehall project, and looking at funding other projects instead.

The council’s spokesperson said: “We note the Stronger Hereford Board’s recommendation that Stronger Towns funding allocated to the proposed Shire Hall library scheme be reallocated to other projects.”

But under the way the Government scheme is run, “Herefordshire Council, as the accountable body, is responsible for taking final decisions on project changes”, they pointed out.

The council “note the board’s recommendation, alongside the ongoing work to provide assurance on the Shire Hall library project, including its affordability, deliverability and value for money”, they said.

“No decision has yet been taken on the allocation of Stronger Towns Fund resources, and this work will inform our final position.”

They added: “We will continue to work closely with the Stronger Hereford Board, UK government and other funding bodies and stakeholders, and will provide further details on the proposals and next steps once that process has concluded.”