Decision details

An update on the development of the Cultural Heart programme as part of the wider Huddersfield Blueprint.

On the 21.9.22 Cabinet approved the Cultural Heart Outline Business Case (Gateway 2) and gave approval to proceed to Gateway 3.

The Gateway 3 report will give an update on the progress of the design associated with the overall master plan, the proposal for the introduction of phasing for the delivery of the masterplan, the progress on Phase 1 and the selection of a preferred contractor for Phase 1.

The report will request approval to proceed to Gateway 4. It is at this future gateway that approval will then be requested to start construction on site.

RESOLVED –

1)    That approval be given to proceed in line with RIBA 3 and the associated developments for the master plan.

2)    That approval be given to (i) the implementation of phasing and phase one (new library, food hall, events square, public realm and associated service areas) and (ii) the delegation of authority to the Strategic Director (Growth and Regeneration) in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration to make decisions on the programme timeline in order that the cultural heart master plan and associated objectives can be completed within an appropriate timescale, reflecting the Council’s position.

3)    That approval be given to extend the appointment of the Strategic Development Partner (Project Manager) to Gateway 4 under direct award from the NHS Shared Business Services Construction Consultancy Cervices framework in compliance with Contract Procedure Rules and Financial Procedure Rules.

4)    That approval be given to extend the appointments of the architect and the engineer for the monitoring roles to Gateway 4 in compliance with Contract Procedure Rules and Financial Procedure Rules.

5)    That approval be given to the allocation of necessary Council staff and resources to support the programme and it be noted that, in the absence of sufficient internal resources, additional external resources will be sourced from existing/future framework arrangements.

6)    That agreement be given, in principle, to the combining of the museum and the gallery within the master plan. 

7)    That (i) approval be given to the exploration of interest from, and negotiation with, development partners to promote the alternative complimentary use for the Queen Street plot and (ii) authority be delegated to the Strategic Director (Growth and Regeneration) to progress and draft contractual agreements that will be submitted to Cabinet at a later date.

8)    That approval be given to the reallocation of the existing approved budget of £5.620m to progress from Gateway 3 to Gateway 4.

9)    That the service revenue and capital budgets be noted and that authority be delegated to the Strategic Director (Growth and Regeneration), the Strategic Director (Adults and Health) and the Strategic Director (Environment and Climate Change), in consultation with the Service Director (Finance) to determine the service budgets associated with phase one, with any additional budget provision required being met from savings elsewhere within the Council budget.

10)That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director (Growth and Regeneration), in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services to conclude the social value strategy for the Cultural Heart Trust Fund.

11)That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director (Growth and Regeneration) to work within approved budgets to deliver the programme to Gateway 4 including appointing third parties in compliance with Contract Procedure Rules and Financial Procedure Rules.