Glasgow Science Centre berth (Ward 5) - Award of grant funding approved.

2 Councillor McLean, City Convener for Neighbourhoods, Housing and Public Realm, presented a report regarding the proposed award of funding to Science Centre Charitable Trust, advising that

(1) as a result of the construction of the Bridge the PS Waverley had moved its mooring at Anderston Quay to a temporary berth at the Glasgow Science Centre (Ward 5), which had now been in use for 15 years, and it was likely that the PS Waverley would continue to use it in the medium to long term, unless access was inhibited by siltation of the river;

(2) the Glasgow Science Centre had appointed engineers Arch Henderson LLP to carry out a condition survey of the berth at and the survey had identified a series of urgent, minor and superficial repairs at an estimated cost of £108,189, as detailed in the report;

(3) the berthing agreement between Waverley Excursions Ltd and Glasgow Science Centre Charitable Trust stated that the cost of necessary remediation works would be met solely by Waverley Excursions Ltd however, the PS Waverley was reliant on public sector funding and charitable donations for maintenance and upkeep costs and was therefore unable to meet the full costs of the remediation works at the Science Centre berth and had sought a financial contribution from the Council towards the urgent works; and

(4) it was proposed that the Council provided grant funding direct to the Glasgow Science Centre Charitable Trust who would take on the responsibility for procuring and overseeing the works as owners of the quay wall and berth.

After consideration, the committee

(a) approved a grant of £50,000 to Glasgow Science Centre Charitable Trust for the completion of a series of urgent works to accommodate the ongoing use of the berth by PS Waverley; and

(b) instructed the Executive Director of Regeneration and the Economy, in consultation with the Director of Governance and Solicitor to the Council, to agree detailed terms and conditions in relation to the Grant Agreement.