Decision details

Purpose of report: To provide members with the outcome of the Guildhall redevelopment contract tender process and a revised business plan.

The report will ask members to consider the report contents and revised business plan in order to determine a revised budget and consider appointment of a contractor to undertake the redevelopment of the Guildhall.

Resolved:  (i)      That the additional construction costs necessary to address the structural instability of the Guildhall and to access the riverside site, as set out in paragraph 21 of the report, be noted.

(ii)      That the additional costs arising due to inflation and contingency, as set out in paragraph 21, be noted.

(iii)     That the 250 additional jobs with a Gross Value Added economic impact (GVA) of £117m over 5 years be noted.

(iv)    That the redevelopment of the Guildhall at an additional cost of £7.372m, funded from prudential borrowing identified in the 2019/20 capital budget report, be approved.

(v)     That the updated business case for the scheme be approved.

(vi)    That it be agreed to proceed to the award of a contract to Bidder B as the construction contractor for the Guildhall project and to delegate authority to the Director of Economy & Place, in consultation with the Assistant Director of Legal & Governance or his delegated officers, to take such steps as are necessary to enter into the contract and, subject to contract, to commence the construction works.

(vii)    That approval be given to seek tenants for the commercial space to maximise income to the council and that authority be delegated to the Director of Economy & Place, in consultation with the Executive Leader (incorporating Finance & Performance) to agree the length of the lease(s).

Reason:     To ensure the future viability and effective re-use of the Guildhall as one of the city’s most significant historic buildings.