Agenda item

The purpose of this report is to set out project progress and highlight for decision, the actions necessary at this time to secure the future of the Guildhall complex, including the opportunities for the wider riverside and a review of the office element of the project.

Resolved: That the Executive agree:

(i) A commitment to improved public access to and interpretation of the historic core of the complex – The Guildhall Main Hall, the Council Chamber, a new riverside courtyard garden and historic Common Hall Lane, in accordance with the recent Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) bid.

(ii) To continue with ongoing project development work including: the procurement of a multi disciplinary design team to progress design and development work.

(iii) To commission a specialist property agent to: establish the value of the commercial riverside elements of the scheme; advise the design team and market test the proposals. Agree the principle of long leases (typically 25 – 99 yrs) on peripheral elements of the complex (the South Range restaurant and the new build cafe/bar on the north end).

(iv) To initiate a review of the feasibility work and business case assumptions relating to the office elements of the scheme as presented to Cabinet in December 2014 / and Scrutiny Call-in in January 2015. Requesting an early report back to Executive in September 2015 on the most commercial and viable options for this element of the complex.

Reasons: (i) In the interests of securing improved public access for residents and visitors, for the future, and maximising the civic and community value of the Guildhall through improved understanding and appreciation of its historic significance, aligning with the Mansion House Opening Doors project.

(ii) To ensure that the optimum beneficial re-use of the complex is properly investigated and that project delivery does not suffer unnecessary delay.

(iii) In the interests of optimising the value and long term sustainability of a publicly accessible riverside with an attractive commercial offer to complement the inherent historic interest of the complex.

(iv) In the interests of securing the optimum future value for the council from one of its most significant property assets and minimising delay to the project delivery.

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director for Finance, Property and Procurement which set out progress and the actions necessary to secure the future of the Guildhall complex. This included a commitment to improve public access to and interpretation of the historic core of the complex, proposals for enhancing the commercial value of the riverside and a review of the feasibility work and business case relating to the office elements of the project.

Officers presented the report highlighting the key project programme dates and the under mentioned options for the office elements of the site:

Option 1 - Grade A generic office, probably requiring new build annex, where refurbishment is unlikely to produce the quality of office required.

Option 2 - A commercially focused scheme - likely to revolve around restaurants / cafe bars and leisure uses.

Option 3 - A new build annex with generic Grade A office and introducing residential or holiday let accommodation on upper levels.

Option 4 – A refurbished annex option with a serviced office / virtual office offer to the broader creative industries sector.

Members expressed their support for examination of the options and development of a business case.