Decision details

Purpose of report: To consider recommendations for future use of the Barbican Auditorium site.

Members are asked to: To consider recommendations for future use of the Barbican Auditorium site.

RESOLVED: (i)         That Option 2 in the report be approved, that is: to focus on progressing the work recommended by Drivers Jonas in order to develop options for the Barbican Centre through structured dialogue with the identified interested parties, whilst undertaking work now to make the building wind and water tight, safe and secure.

                        (ii)        That the Council’s aspirations be agreed for the Centre; that is, that it should provide:

a)     the major conference and / or entertainment facilities for the City;

b)     high quality facilities for the residents of York and for visitors, acting as a focus for important City events and a focus for civic pride;

c)      opportunities for community involvement and activities;

d)     no on-going requirement for public subsidy.

                        (iii)       That the following be agreed as the key next steps:

a)     Drivers Jonas to be retained as the Council’s advisers, to work with Officers in preparing a succinct brief to be used as a basis for further structured dialogue with the interested parties, and to further develop the approach to the market.

b)     Essential work to be carried out to prevent any further deterioration of the Centre.

c)      Independent legal advice to be taken to assist Officers in all aspects of procurement.

                        (iv)       That a further report be received, in the light of the structured dialogue, setting out the available options and the direction to be followed.

                        (v)        That an allocation of £120k of additional one-off budget in 2009/10, funded from general contingency, be agreed, to cover the costs of the actions set out under the recommended option.

                        (vi)       That Officers be instructed to ensure that, within the next fortnight, posters are displayed at the Barbican, signposting residents as to how they can access alternative leisure opportunities in the City.

                        (vii)      That Officers contact the organisers of the Festival of Remembrance and the Carol Service, to review how their events will fit into the programme of bringing the Barbican Auditorium back into use.

REASON:      To enable future plans for public use of the Barbican Auditorium to be developed and progressed as soon as possible, and to ensure that the public and other interested parties are kept informed.