Decision details

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

On the 27.6.23 Cabinet approved the Our Cultural Heart Gateway 3 report and gave approval to proceed to Gateway 4.

The Gateway 4 report will give an update on the progress of the Phase 1 Pre-Construction Services Agreement with BAM and the associated preparations for the start of construction on site and request the necessary delegations so that in due course works can start on site for Phase 1.

The report will also request approval to progress Phase 2 to Gateway 3 and further work on the phases of the master plan.

RESOLVED –

1)    That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director (Growth and Regeneration) in consultation with the Cabinet Member (Finance and Regeneration) to make decisions on the programme timeline and the sequencing of phasing so that Our Cultural Heart master plan and the associated strategic objectives can be completed within an appropriate timescale, reflecting the Council’s financial position.

2)    That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director (Growth and Regeneration) in consultation with the Service Director (Finance) and the Cabinet Member (Finance and Regeneration) to extend the Pre Contract Services Agreement contract for a period necessary to conclude the RIBA 4 design and construction contract sum negotiations.

3)    That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director (Growth and Regeneration) in consultation with the Service Director (Finance) and the Cabinet Member (Finance and Regeneration) to instruct the enabling works.

4)    That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director (Growth and Regeneration) in consultation with the Cabinet Member (Finance and Regeneration) to sign off the conclusion of Gateway 4 including the contractors design proposals, planning and listed building consent matters, the RIBA 4 design, the construction programme, the contract documents and the construction contract sum.

5)    That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director (Growth and Regeneration) in consultation with the Service Director (Finance) and the Portfolio Holder (Finance and Regeneration) to make a decision to award the NEC construction contract to BAM and start works on site in accordance with Section 1.3.2, and that if the award would exceed the construction period budget, the matter be resubmitted to Cabinet.

6)    That approval be given to extend the appointment of the Strategic Development Partner (Project Manager) to Phase 1 Gateway 5, Phase 2 gateway 3 and master plan feasibility support and to delegate authority to the Strategic Director for Growth and Regeneration to enter into a new agreement via NHS/SBS framework that allows for continuation of the SDP services through the various phases and gateways (and in line with Cabinet approvals and authority) until the completion of the Our Cultural Heart programme, subject to satisfactory performance in compliance with the Contract Procedure Rules and Financial Procedure Rules.

7)    That approval be given to extend the appointments of the architect and the engineer to Phase 1 Gateway 5 for the monitoring roles, Phase 2 Gateway 3 and master plan feasibility support in compliance with Contract Procedure Rules and Financial Procedure Rules.

8)    That the necessary council staff and resources be allocated to support the programme and that it be noted that, in the absence of sufficient internal resources, additional external resources will be sourced from existing/future framework agreements.

9)    That the museum and gallery capital development budget be noted and that approval be given to the expenditure to fund work to progress to Phase 2 Gateway 3.

10)That approval be given to explore interest from and negotiate with development partners to promote alternative complimentary use for the Queen Street plot, and that authority be delegated to the Strategic Director (Growth and Regeneration) to progress and draft contractual arrangements that will submitted to Cabinet at a future gateway.

11)That approval be given to expenditure of £51.704m to progress Phase 1 to Gateway 5, to progress Phase 2 to Gateway 3 and to progress feasibility support on the rest of the master plan, in addition to the £18.055m that is already approved.

12)That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director (Growth and Regeneration) and the Strategic Director (Adults and Health) in consultation with the Service Director (Finance), to determine the service budgets associated with Phase 1 and Phase 2, and in acknowledging the context of the Council’s Medium Term funding deficit, any additional budget provision required over and above existing budget provision will have to be met from savings elsewhere within the Council’s budget.

13)That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director (Growth and Regeneration) in consultation with the Cabinet Member (Finance and Regeneration) to conclude the social value strategy for Our Cultural Heart, including the mechanism for the administration of the Our Cultural Heart Fund.

14)That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director (Growth and Regeneration) to work within approved budgets to deliver the programme to Phase 1 Gateway 5, Phase 2 Gateway 3, and develop the master plan including appointing third parties which for Phase 1 includes the food hall operator, in compliance with the Contract Procedure Rules and Financial Procedure Rules.