Agenda item

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 Panel was advised that a newsletter providing updates and information and a snapshot on current progress is available on OCH website.

A member of the public attended the meeting and asked the following questions: -

-       Seeing as Our Cultural Heart is about far more than bricks and mortar and is about people and place to build on and celebrate the character and culture of our diverse and exciting town, how will the existing creative organisations on the Piazza be included in the plans, particularly the Queen Street area?

-       Is there potential to work with the council to create a business plan for space which will then support the existing creative ecosystem?

Panel members asked a number of questions, and made comments including some of the following: -

-       The library building is Grade II listed, and the Council is currently undertaking a design review to identify cost savings, will the revised design compromise the architectural character of the original building?

-       Can you explain why you aim to save on costs, and can you give an idea of how much you aim to save or need to save?

-       Will councillors and the public be able to comment on the new design before they are approved?

-       How realistic is the timeline for phase two and the conversion of the library building?

What are the top three current risks to the project and what contingency plans are in place should they occur, for example, finding more asbestos than expected in the museum and galleries?

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet Member and officers be thanked for providing an update on Our Cultural Heart.