Agenda item

To consider the report (to follow) and make any appropriate recommendations to Cabinet.

The Assistant Director, Regeneration, Housing and Place presented the report which set out the progress made on St George’s Guildhall and Creative Hub project as part of the Town Deal programme and the Council approvals required as the accountable body and leaseholder/owner of the Centre.  The approvals were required to complete both a Business Case for the Towns Fund Stage 2; and a Business Plan (and Stage 1 application) to the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF), to secure match funding for the project.

Members were advised that a clear direction and plan on the future management and operational arrangements for the Guildhall and Creative Hub were critical to the NLHF application and Towns Fund Business Case.  The Guildhall Project Board (that included The National Trust and Norfolk County Council) had considered the best governance and operational structure for the future new enterprise, and the most appropriate characteristics of any new legal entity.  The recommendation was based on the unanimous views of a number of culture sector specialists consulted, including retained consultants for the project, FEI Ltd.

The Assistant Director, Regeneration Programmes Manager, Russell Clement – National Trust and Tim FitzHigham - Interim Creative Director and the Portfolio Holder for Business, Culture and Heritage responded to questions and comments from the Regeneration and Development and Corporate Performance Panels and Members attending under Standing Order 34.

RESOLVED:  That the Regeneration and Development and Corporate Performance Panels supported recommendations 2, 3, 4, 5 to Cabinet as set out below, subject to the amendments highlighted in bold:

Recommendation 2

That following consideration of the options for securing funding for the Guildhall and Creative Hub set out in Section 4, the Council agrees to amend the Capital Programme as set out in Section 7.3 in the report, to underwrite the match funding required in order to secure the Towns Fund allocation.

Recommendation 3

In the event the NLHF Stage 1 or 2 applications are not successful, a further report be brought back to the relevant Policy and Development Panel(s) prior to Cabinet to confirm the final project scope and extent of funding required as detailed in Section 7.3 of the report.

Recommendation 4

That following a consideration of the options for a governance and operating model that a new separate entity is formed.  That on consideration of options (Appendix 3), that this entity is a newly formed for purpose Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO).

Recommendation 5

That the process of forming a new Independent CIO with a wholly owned trading subsidiary is commenced and matters relating to this including:

·                Finalising the constitution and Governing Document the way the CIO will run.

·                Selecting the Chair and two initial trustees before an application to the Charities Commission is made as detailed in Section 5 of the report.

·                Choosing a name.

are delegated to the Monitoring Officer and Chief Executive in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Business, Culture and Heritage.

A politically balanced Task Group be set up to overview the process, be involved in the decision making process and contribute towards the governance structure.

The meeting adjourned at 6.00 pm.

The meeting would be reconvened at a date to be advised to consider Recommendations, 1, 6 and 7.