Agenda item

This report presents the latest designs and business case for the development of the Guildhall complex, highlighting the potential for a world class venue for business, alongside retained council use in one of York’s most significant historic buildings.  Executive are recommended to proceed with; detailed design and planning / listed building consent applications for the scheme, to create a business club / serviced office venue, with supporting commercial development on the riverside.

Resolved:  That Executive:

(i)           Note the business case and cost estimates for the scheme indicating a capital budget requirement of £10.19m to be prudentially borrowed, and a potential increase to the net revenue budget of £180k.

(ii)          Agree that the detailed business case be presented to Executive in February, setting out the actual budget requirement for delivery.  Executive and Full Council will be asked to take a final decision and make the relevant budget provision, following further work to confirm the budget requirement.

(iii)        Agree to the marketing of the restaurant unit and securing a pre-let agreement for a 25 year commercial lease.

(iv)        Agree the commencement of the procurement of a service contract for the operation of the business club, office venue and cafe.

(v)         Agree the submission of Planning and Listed Building Consent applications.

(vi)        Agree that the RIBA stage 4 detail design (construction information/specification), including for value engineering to potentially reduce project costs, proceed.

(vii)      Agree that the opportunities for securing Local Growth Fund monies with both the regional LEP teams continue to be explored.

(viii)     Agree that the procurement of a construction contractor, through an EU compliant process, commence.

(ix)        Agree the draw down of a further £350k from the capital budget already allocated to the project to fund the planning application and the RIBA stage 4 design work.

Reason:     To ensure the future viability and effective re-use of the

Guildhall as one of the city’s most significant historic buildings, through the creation of a vibrant business and civic venue, with supporting commercial development on the riverside.

Members considered a report that presented the latest designs and business case for the development of the Guildhall complex, highlighting the potential for a world class venue for business, alongside retained council use in one of York’s most significant historic buildings.  Members were recommended to proceed with detailed design and planning/listed building consent applications for the scheme, which proposed to create a business club/serviced office venue with supporting commercial development on the riverside.

A presentation was given which showed the planned developments as well as illustrating work that had been identified as needing to be carried out to address structural issues.

Officers gave details of the planned designs and proposed usage and management of the buildings.  Members’ attention was drawn to the increased costs which had arisen because of structural issues that had been identified and because the proposed design now included more new build.

At the request of Members, details were given of the ways in which the use of renewable energy had been embedded in the design.

Referring to the concerns that had been raised under the public participation item on the agenda regarding the proposed demolition of the garages, officers explained that this work was intended to provide a more open and attractive space within the Guildhall Yard.  Historic England had undertaken a re-listing exercise for the Guildhall complex in March 2016 and the garages had ceased to be listed from that date.

Members stated that, whilst they acknowledged that the demolition of the garages would cause some inconvenience to the Lord Mayor and civic party, the opening up of the Guildhall Yard was crucial to the project and would impact on its commercial viability. It was therefore important that consideration was given as to arrangements that could be put in place to mitigate the impact of the loss of the garages. 

Members expressed their support for the proposed developing and its innovative design. 

Resolved¹:That Executive:

(i)           Note the business case and cost estimates for the scheme indicating a capital budget requirement of £10.19m to be prudentially borrowed, and a potential increase to the net revenue budget of £180k.

(ii)          Agree that the detailed business case be presented to Executive in February, setting out the actual budget requirement for delivery.  Executive and Full Council will be asked to take a final decision and make the relevant budget provision, following further work to confirm the budget requirement.

(iii)        Agree to the marketing of the restaurant unit and securing a pre-let agreement for a 25 year commercial lease.

(iv)        Agree the commencement of the procurement of a service contract for the operation of the business club, office venue and cafe.

(v)         Agree the submission of Planning and Listed Building Consent applications.

(vi)        Agree that the RIBA stage 4 detail design (construction information/specification), including for value engineering to potentially reduce project costs, proceed.

(vii)      Agree that the opportunities for securing Local Growth Fund monies with both the regional LEP teams continue to be explored.

(viii)     Agree that the procurement of a construction contractor, through an EU compliant process, commence.

(ix)        Agree the draw down of a further £350k from the capital budget already allocated to the project to fund the planning application and the RIBA stage 4 design work.

Reason:     To ensure the future viability and effective re-use of the

Guildhall as one of the city’s most significant historic buildings, through the creation of a vibrant business and civic venue, with supporting commercial development on the riverside.