Agenda item

This report sets out the development work to date that is being carried out  at the Mansion House.

The Group considered a report which set out the development work to date that is being carried out on the Mansion House. Officers provided additional information and answered queries on the following specific issues:-

The Future of the Guildhall

The Democratic Services Manager advised the Group that a meeting of all relevant parties lead by the Chief Executive would be taking place to discuss this issue and that she would update the group on its outcome.

The Group noted the links between the Mansion House and Guildhall due to their historical significance and location and stated that in terms of corporate hire, it would be beneficial to be able to offer both buildings as a combined package. However they stressed that progress in relation to the Guildhall should not delay the development of the Mansion House and the Group should not lose the focus of their role. They requested that they are kept up to date with plans for the Guildhall.

Promoting York

It was noted by the Group that Promoting York had been inadvertently omitted from the list of consultees and specifically it was agreed to recognise the invaluable contribution of Charles Hall in instrumentally setting up the association with York Archaeological Trust.

Mansion House and Mayoralty Website

Some members of the Group wished to comment on the website brief and the Mansion House and Guildhall Manager circulated copies of the brief at the meeting for information. Those interested members of the Group agreed to provide comments on the brief by return to the Mansion House and Guildhall Manager.

Tours

Some concerns were raised regarding the potentially limited availability of the Mansion House for use by the Lord Mayor as a result of the proposed increase in the number of tours from 4 to 9 each week. Officers outlined the need to open up the building for both public and private tours as well as corporate hire but added that tours would be organised in such a way as to provide flexibility to allow any Lord Mayor or civic commitments and undertook to provide in due course an diarised outline timetable of civic tours and other events taking place in the Mansion House for the new municipal year. ¹ It was agreed that tours would be advertised as being “normally” available on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 11.00am, 12.30pm and 2.00pm. (amended at meeting on 21 April 2010) 

York 800

The Group asked to be kept up to date with plans in relation to York 800, which will see city wide events being organised to mark 800 years of local democracy in York in 2012.

Security

Concerns were raised about access from the adjacent restaurant into the Guildhall Yard and general issues about security of the yard and discussed  the possibility of an automated locking gate at the entry to the yard and removing any right of access to the yard from the adjacent restaurant.

Weddings and other ceremonies

Concerns were raised about the possibility of using the Mansion House for weddings and officers confirmed this would be for ceremonies only and not receptions.

Both officers and members of the Group recognised the need to retain a balance between the Mansion House being the home of the Lord Mayor and the need to open it up for use by members of the public.

RESOLVED:            

(i)         That the approach set out in the report, taking on board the comments made by the Group, be endorsed as the basis for the future development of the Mansion House Business and Development Plan.

(ii)        That the Group recognises the linkages between the Mansion House and Guildhall due to their historical significance and location and that an update on plans for the future of the Guildhall be presented to a future meeting.

REASON:                 

To ensure that progress continues to be made towards the development of the Mansion House.