Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Beal, Beales, Bone, Colwell and Crofts.

Please indicate if there are any interests which should be declared.  A declaration of interest should indicate the nature of the interest (if not already declared on the Register of Interests) and the agenda item to which it relates.  If a disclosable pecuniary interest is declared, the Member should withdraw from the room whilst the matter is discussed.

Those declarations apply to all Members present, whether the Member is part of the meeting, attending to speak as a local Member on an item or simply observing the meeting from the public seating area.

There was none.

To consider any business which, by reason of special circumstances, the Chair proposes to accept as urgent under Section 100(b)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act, 1972.

There was none.

Members wishing to speak pursuant to Standing Order 34 should inform the Chair of their intention to do so and what items they wish to be heard before a decision on that item is taken.  

Councillors Fry, Heneghan, Colwell and Rose (remotely) and Councillor Ware.

If any.

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The Chair reminded Members that questions raised in advance of the meeting had been responded to and circulated to the Panel.

To note that the next meeting of the Regeneration & Development Panel is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 9^th July 2025 at 6pm in the Town Hall, Saturday Market Place, King’s Lynn.

The next meeting of the Regeneration and Development Panel was scheduled to take place on 9^th July 2025 at 6pm in the Town Hall, Saturday Market Place, King’s Lynn.

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At the request of the Chair, officers presented the Business Case as included in the Agenda explaining that the Guildhall was a unique heritage asset, landmark performance venue and the largest surviving medieval Guildhall.  Officers set out the ambition for the attraction and what it would cater for.

The Economic benefits and significant opportunities that the project would bring were also highlighted by officers.

The Chair invited questions and comments from those present relating to the Business Case. 

Councillor Collingham asked how much had been spent on consultants and asked if consultation had taken place with organisations such as the King’s Lynn Festival.

Officers explained that cost of consultants was £2.5m and detail was included in the Agenda along with details of the economic return.  It was stressed that the sustainability of the site was the core objectives, therefore it was important to sweat assets as much as possible.  It was also explained that consultants were required in order to get the best advice.

It was also explained that consultation had taken place with King’s Lynn Festival, along with a range of other organisations, and their comments and feedback had been used to inform the Business Case.  It was also noted that the Borough Council took over operation of the site in 2023, and within that time, real-time information on attendances had been collected to evidence that the business plan was deliverable.

It was also noted that there was no fee to visit the Guildhall presently, but a donation system was in place.  The Chair, Councillor Parish, commented that this could impact the attendance figures.  It was clarified that tickets for shows were also sold.

Councillor Sayers asked about the National Trust lease and why the Guildhall was no longer listed as an Asset of Community Value.  Officers explained that there were certain protections in place regarding the lease and in the future relisting as an Asset of Community Value could be investigated.

Councillor Ryves referred to a similar project that should be looked at so there was a sense of the scale of the operation.  He also asked if Alive West Norfolk were being brought in to utilise their experience of theatre operations.  Councillor Ryves also stated that there should be engagement with the Guildhall Trust as they knew the background to the site.  Councillor Ryves stated that he feared that this project would result in a large debt to the organisation, or the legacy organisation that would follow after Local Government Reorganisation.  Councillor Ryves queried the revenue figures, the cost of borrowing and the benefits of the project.

Councillor Ratcliffe commented that this project would boost King’s Lynn as a destination.

The Chair invited the Deputy Leader, Councillor Ring to address the Panel.  Councillor Ring reminded the Panel that this was a Town Deal Board Project being supported financially by the Borough Council.  It was noted that spend to date had been incurred by the Town  ...  view the full minutes text for item RD18:

To consider passing the following resolution if required to discuss the exempt elements of the report.

“That under section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Scheduled 12A to the Act.”

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RESOLVED: That under section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12 A to the Act.

Officers provided information and responded to questions relating to the exempt elements of the report including the work of the CIO, fundraising, finances, investment opportunities and the National Trust lease.

The Chair invited all Panel Members to sum up.  Panel Members broadly supported the proposal making comments relating to the importance of marketing and promotion, monitoring risks and that this was much needed for the town centre.

Councillor Ryves commented that the project would not be financially viable, but if it was agreed he would support it.

The Chair asked the Panel to consider an additional recommendation to Cabinet, in that the Panel be kept up to date on the project.  This was supported by the Panel.

RESOLVED: That the Regeneration and Development Panel support the recommendations to Cabinet as set out below, with an additional recommendation to be added that the Regeneration and Development Panel be kept up to date on progress and receive regular updates on the project.

CABINET RECOMMENDATIONS:

Cabinet resolves, subject to approval of recommendation 6 below:

1. To proceed with the St George’s Guildhall & Creative Hub (“the Major Scheme”) based on the RIBA Stage 4 design.
2. The total spend of up to £30.5m to deliver the Major Scheme is authorised, to be financed in accordance with the Finance Strategy at Appendix 6 (Exempt), which includes up to £16.0m of borrowing in accordance with the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy.
3. The award of the contract to deliver the Major Scheme (“the Main Contract”) to ‘Bidder A’ is approved.
4. Authority is delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Business to approve material changes to the scope of the Major Scheme and/or variations to the Main Contract that are within the approved budget and in accordance with the Local Assurance Framework for this project.
5. Authority is delegated to the Chief Executive to apply for and accept external funding, whether via grants or donations, for the Major Scheme, which, when received, shall be applied towards the Major Scheme and to reduce capital borrowing where outstanding.

Recommendations to Full Council:

6. To amend the Capital Programme for the Major Scheme up to £30.5m and to amend the Medium-Term Financial Strategy in accordance with the Finance Strategy at Appendix 6 (Exempt).