Report of the Head of Enterprise Programme Management Office

Appendix 2B is exempt, Schedule 12A, Paragraph 2 as it is possible that individuals can be identified.

Appendix 2C is exempt, Schedule 12A, Paragraph 3 as it contains commercially sensitive information.

RESOLVED –

1.         that the Colosseum Refurbishment business case, RIBA Stage 2 designs, implementation plan and the assumptions and constraints on which these are based be approved.

2.         that the Town Hall Refurbishment business case, implementation plan and the assumptions and constraints on which these are based, including the associated Museum Outline Business Case and Innovation and Incubation Hub Outline Business Case, shown within the Appendices, be approved.

3.         that the financial resource necessary to deliver the next phase of the Town Hall Quarter programme, including in relation to the Town Hall and Colosseum refurbishments be presented to full council for approval in January 2022.

Cabinet received a report of the Head of Enterprise Programme Management Office which included the business plans for the refurbishment of the Town Hall and Colosseum.

The Mayor introduced the report, which he said covered an exciting piece of work.  Recently the Town Hall had been busy with residents visiting the vaccination centre.  He wanted the Town Hall to be a hub of activity in the future.  The plans before Cabinet were ambitious for two of the town’s historic buildings.  It would be a major 10-year scheme.  There would be eventual accommodation savings in the region of £300,000. 

The Mayor thanked the officers and those members on the steering group for their work, including residents and partners who had also contributed.  The charter centenary would take place next year and it was good to look to the future.  The proposals would make the best use of the buildings.

The Managing Director added that officers had been working for over 11 months on the programme.  It was a complex programme, as members could see from the range of documents before them.  The work would see the council moving forward.  She added her own thanks to the staff from across the organisation at all levels who had been involved.  It demonstrated their hard work and dedication and she looked forward to its delivery. 

The Mayor noted that whilst this work had been taking place, the council and its staff had also been responding to the covid pandemic.

Councillor Stotesbury added his thanks and said that it was important the council preserved its heritage assets.  The proposal set out to modernise and bring the buildings into public use.  The works would also ensure the buildings were ‘greener’.

Councillor Johnson commented that there were two core parts to the programme, value for money being one.  The other was the council’s staff, who were the biggest resource the council had.  It had been made apparent how difficult it was to work in the older buildings.  It was important to get it right.

Councillor Williams referred to the Colosseum.  The refurbishment would enhance the cultural offer to the town.  The premises would become more commercial.  It was proposed that the planned opening date was November 2023.  He would be looking forward to the opening of this key cultural building.

Councillor Watkin added that the business plans would ensure the area became a lively focal point of the town.

RESOLVED –

1.         that the Colosseum Refurbishment business case, RIBA Stage 2 designs, implementation plan and the assumptions and constraints on which these are based be approved.

2.         that the Town Hall Refurbishment business case, implementation plan and the assumptions and constraints on which these are based, including the associated Museum Outline Business Case and Innovation and Incubation Hub Outline Business Case, shown within the Appendices, be approved.

3.         that the financial resource necessary to deliver the next phase of the Town Hall Quarter programme, including in relation to the Town Hall and Colosseum refurbishments be presented to full council for approval in January 2022.