Agenda item

This report is the fourth in a series which aims to establish the next steps in a strategy designed to bring the Barbican Auditorium back into public use.

RESOLVED: (i)         That approval be given to carry out formal marketing of the Barbican Auditorium, as set out in Option B and detailed in paragraphs 15-17 of the report.

                        (ii)        That approval be given to the inclusion of the Kent Street Coach Park site, on the basis set out in paragraphs 18 and 19.

(iii)             That the following relative weighting be favoured for the criteria set out in paragraph 17:

·        Financial impact on Council taxpayers – 50%

·        Addressing the City’s economic development and planning objectives – 30%

·        Provision of entertainment and community facilities – 20%

And that the criteria include a requirement for the early re-opening of the building – by December 2010 at the latest.

                        (iv)       That authority be delegated to the Chief Executive to establish the final criteria and weighting to be used in assessing bids and final tenders, based on the contents of paragraph 16.

REASON:      To enable future plans for the Barbican Auditorium to be developed and progressed and to ensure that responsibility for the final criteria and weighting of bids is taken at the highest level.

Members considered the fourth in a series of update reports which aimed to establish the next steps in a strategy to bring the Barbican Auditorium back into public use. 

In response to previous reports, Members had already agreed a series of key points and actions for the way forward, including further structured discussions with interested parties.  Discussions had now taken place with two major national theatre operators, one major national conference operator and the developer currently negotiating to buy the neighbouring residential and hotel site.  Key issues arising from these discussions were set out in paragraphs 8 to 11 of the report.  Although all four expressions of interest were positive, none could be accepted immediately.  It was recommended instead that formal marketing be undertaken at this stage, opening up the possibility of further interest and enabling all offers to be assessed against the Council’s criteria for re-use of the site.  The main options for market testing were:

Option A – a ‘standard’ marketing campaign with no conditions on the operation or use of the Auditorium.

Option B – a market testing exercise in line with EU procurement regulations.  This was the recommended option, as it would also facilitate offers involving partnership arrangements with the Council.

Members’ views were sought on the relative weighting to be given to the award criteria, based upon the objectives set out in paragraph 16 of the report.  It was also suggested that Kent Street be included in the marketing exercise, enabling a potentially co-ordinated approach to development of the area.  With regard to other matters affecting the Barbican, it was reported that:

·        Remedial works to preserve the building were expected to be completed by the end of September

·        Officers had worked with events organisers to ensure they had satisfactory alternative arrangements.

·        The involvement of community trusts was not considered practicable at this stage, although this would not prevent existing trusts from submitting a bid.

Further details of the implications of the expressions of interest were circulated at the meeting.  Officers also responded to the comments made under public participation, explaining that a charitable trust would not be compatible with an organisation run for entertainment purposes and that experience had shown that combining an Auditorium with sports facilities was not financially viable.

Having noted the comments of the Shadow Executive on this item, it was

RESOLVED: (i)         That approval be given to carry out formal marketing of the Barbican Auditorium, as set out in Option B and detailed in paragraphs 15-17 of the report.¹

                        (ii)        That approval be given to the inclusion of the Kent Street Coach Park site, on the basis set out in paragraphs 18 and 19. ²

(iii)             That the following relative waiting be favoured for the criteria set out in paragraph 17:

·        Financial impact on Council taxpayers – 50%

·        Addressing the City’s economic development and planning objectives – 30%

·        Provision of entertainment and community facilities – 20%

And that the criteria include a requirement for the early re-opening of the building – by December 2010 at the latest. ³

                        (iv)       That authority be delegated to the Chief Executive to establish the final criteria and weighting to be used in assessing bids and final tenders, based on the contents of paragraph 16. ⁴

REASON:      To enable future plans for the Barbican Auditorium to be developed and progressed and to ensure that responsibility for the final criteria and weighting of bids is taken at the highest level.