Issue - meetings

The Panel will be provided with a progress update on Our Cultural Heart.

Contact:  David Glover, Senior Responsible Officer.

Cllr Graham Turner, Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration, introduced the agenda item, informing the Panel that the update is part of the regular update on Our Cultural Heart. He encouraged the Panel to visit the site when the opportunity arises to view the progress that has been made and to see the vision come to life.

David Wildman informed the Panel that Our Cultural Heart (OCH), is a key part of the Huddersfield Blueprint and one of the Council's flagship regeneration programmes. Referring to the presentation slides, he informed the Panel that: -

-       the blueprint launched in June 2019 and identified six target areas for transformation across the town, and OCH is central to that vision.

-       OCH delivers against one of the Council’s areas of focus, investment, regeneration, and place and is a named programme within the Blueprint.

-       The OCH Mobilisation Steering Group was established in January 2025, to work with internal services that have responsibilities as part of OCH to co-ordinate their pre and post opening budgets and preparations.

-       In terms of governance and reporting, OCH reports monthly to a programme board and regeneration portfolio holder’s briefings.

-       To achieve the council’s capital projects priorities, Cabinet approvals have reallocated funding from the OCH construction budget to support other capital priorities.

The Panel was informed that progress is reviewed through the gateway process, with key stages brought to Cabinet for consideration. This phased approach enables strategic alignment and ensures that approvals are sought at appropriate intervals. It gives the ability to make changes as needed.

The next report to Cabinet is scheduled for September 2025, with a primary focus on the next steps for delivering the museums and galleries programme. This will form part of the phase two scheme, gateway 4. At this stage, it will conclude the detailed design phase and set out the delivery targets and move to construction.

The Panel was informed that extensive communication and engagement activity is underway in relation to the scheme, supported by an ongoing communications campaign and a series of events aimed at fostering a positive atmosphere and raising the scheme’s profile.

The Panel was shown an illustration which outlined the masterplan and informed that, phase one includes the food hall, new library and adjacent square. Phase two, is the museum and gallery. The other plots are Queen Street plot, public realm/park and venue and multi-story car park. The phased approach provides both the Council and Cabinet with flexibility and a review of the phases is currently being undertaken and will be presented to Cabinet in September.

The Panel was provided with a summary of the decisions taken to date in respect of phase two. This included committing funding for phase two to move towards Gateway 4, delegated authority for the enabling works for a pre-construction services agreement and delegated authority to instruct relevant works. The Panel was also provided with information which outlined the timelines and key milestones for the different phases of the scheme.

The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8