Agenda item

This report sets out progress on the project to establish re-use of the Guildhall complex as a Digital Media Arts Centre in accordance with the Cabinet decision of July 2013.  Approval is sought to proceed with the procurement of a design team and an operating partner who will run the Centre and lease space in the building.

Resolved:  That Cabinet agree to:

(i)           Note the progress made with the project.

(ii)          Progress on the basis of Option 3 as outlined in the report.

(iii)        The procurement of a design team for the Digital Media Arts Centre.

(iv)        The procurement of an operating partner to take forward and develop plans for a DMAC in the Guildhall complex.

(v)         Release a further £500k from the Economic Infrastructure Fund to fund the detail design of the scheme and gain statutory approvals, and fund specialist finance, procurement and legal support where needed.

(vi)        Undertake a public consultation to feed into the future design and business case development.

(vii)      The proposals as set out at paragraphs 48-50 of the report, for interim use / urgent works with a draw down of up to £90k from the Capital Scheme already committed for the Guildhall roof.

Reason:     To ensure the refurbishment and reuse of the Guildhall whilst securing the future use of a historically significant building, supporting the growing creative digital media sector and increasing Gross Value Added for local businesses and boosting the economy.

Consideration was given to a report which set out, in detail, progress on the project to establish a viable reuse of the Guildhall complex as a Digital Media Arts Centre (DMAC).

Approval was sought to proceed with the procurement of a design team and an operating partner to run the DMAC and lease space in the building. Members were also asked to agree to release of monies to fund the design of the building to the planning stage and through to the next phase of the project.

The Chair confirmed the need to bring the Guildhall back into use and to secure high value jobs into the economy. In answer to earlier questions both the Chair and Officers confirmed that extensive work had been undertaken on a business case for the scheme to ensure viability and that a report would be brought back to Council for a decision on capital funding for the project.

Following full consideration of the costs of the development phase, the financial summary of the options appraisal as set out in the reports and annexes and consideration of the following options:

Option 1 – Do nothing – renew Guildhall only - capital cost £350k

Option 2 – Major repairs and maintenance only – capital cost £2.47m

Option 3 – Comprehensive refurbishment and conservation with new build elements - capital cost £9.23m

Option 4 –New build and conservation – capital cost £12.49m

It was

Resolved:  That Cabinet agree to:

(i)           Note the progress made with the project.

(ii)          Progress on the basis of Option 3 as outlined in the report.

(iii)        The procurement of a design team for the Digital Media Arts Centre.

(iv)        The procurement of an operating partner to take forward and develop plans for a DMAC in the Guildhall complex.

(v)         Release a further £500k from the Economic Infrastructure Fund to fund the detail design of the scheme and gain statutory approvals, and fund specialist finance, procurement and legal support where needed.

(vi)        Undertake a public consultation to feed into the future design and business case development.

(vii)      The proposals as set out at paragraphs 48-50 of the report, for interim use / urgent works with a draw down of up to £90k from the Capital Scheme already committed for the Guildhall roof. ^1.

Reason:     To ensure the refurbishment and reuse of the Guildhall whilst securing the future use of a historically significant building, supporting the growing creative digital media sector and increasing Gross Value Added for local businesses and boosting the economy.