Decision details

Purpose of report: to secure Executive approval of the proposals to develop the Guildhall complex. The delivery of a comprehensive scheme of refurbishment and part redevelopment will facilitate: ongoing council use as agreed; the creation of a business club and serviced office venue with an associated cafe, and an independent riverside restaurant unit.

Members will be asked to approve the delivery of the scheme and recommend, for Full Council decision, the necessary financial commitment.

Resolved:     That Executive agree to:

(i)           The detailed business case for the regeneration of the Guildhall as set out in this report.

(ii)          Recommend to Full Council the total capital budget of £12.780m with prudential borrowing of £8.683m to fund the construction works to develop the Guildhall complex.

(iii)         Accept the terms of the Local Growth Fund (LGF) grant of £2.347m, from the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LCR LEP)

(iv)        Make a further listed building consent application to add a second lift into the south range to enable disabled access to both sides of the complex.

(v)         The award of a 25 year lease to a restaurant operator for the new build north annex riverside restaurant following a competitive marketing exercise.

(vi)        Put in place arrangements for CYC to manage and operate the serviced office and business club, Guildhall space and to procure an operator for the cafe provision for the Guildhall complex.

(vii)      Procure a construction contractor and to commence the construction of the Guildhall project in accordance with the Planning and LBC approvals and business case.

(viii)     The Mansion House, Guildhall and Common Hall Yard Management Plan establishing how the shared elements of the scheme will facilitate the operation of the Guildhall complex and the effective occupation of the Mansion House by the Civic Party.

(ix)        Form a cross party working group, working with Civic and Democratic Services to make recommendations to the Executive on refining the Management Plan before completion of the development and to keep the plan under review in operation.

Reason:        (i)      To ensure the future viability and effective re-use of the Guildhall as one of the City’s most significant historic buildings, through the creation a vibrant business and civic venue, with supporting commercial development on the riverside.

                       (ii)      To ensure that the complex is as accessible as possible for disabled users.

                       (iii)     To ensure that the income generated by the Guildhall complex will fund the regeneration costs and will attract the high levels of use necessary to secure future viability, and manage the financial risk to the council.

                       (iv)    To ensure that the Guildhall will attract the high levels of use necessary to secure the future viability of the complex; deliver wider economic benefits to the city; manage the financial risk to the council and ensure the continuing civic use of the Guildhall.

                       (v)     To ensure the regeneration of the Guildhall complex and manage the financial risk to the council of developing a historic building. 

                       (vi)    To satisfy the planning conditions and to ensure that the status of the Lord Mayoralty is enhanced, with safe and effective management and use of the public space and amenity for the Civic Party in the Mansion House.

(vii)         To ensure that the status of the Lord Mayoralty is enhanced, with safe and effective management and use of the public space and amenity for the Civic Party in the Mansion House.