Agenda item

Recommendations

The Executive is asked to:

i)     Note the outcome of the final tendered price and programme for phase 1 of the redevelopment project for HCC.

ii)    Agree not to progress with the £57m construction contract for phase 1 improvements noting that by not accepting this contract this is not an end to investment in HCC.

iii)   To await the outcome of the SMT and options appraisal in Spring 2024.

iv)  Subsequently re-appraise the options noting the importance that the HCC site has on the economic GVA for Harrogate whilst being mindful upon the impact on the public purse and providing best value to the NY taxpayer. 

 v)  Pending the outcome of (iii) and (iv) above, to consider a planned improvement programme for HCC concentrating upon essential, timely building requirements with a commercial approach to future working.

vi)   Continue to establish, monitor, and manage asset risk until a longer-term solution is agreed.

Considered – A report of the Corporate Director of Resources providing an update on the outcome of the final tendered price and programme for phase 1 of the redevelopment project for Harrogate Convention Centre (HCC) and seeking a decision on whether or not to accept the contract price and enter into contract for the works.

Councillor Gareth Dadd introduced the report and Nick Edwards provided a detailed overview of the current position of HCC, the need for significant investment, the current subsidy arrangements, the escalation in costs for the planned phased approach and the lack of any matched funding/external funding. He confirmed that in light of the above, the draft Business Case had been updated and the consultants had confirmed they were no longer in favour of proceeding with Phase I.  Instead it was proposed that the opportunities should be re-appraised and assessed through soft market testing.

Paula Lorimer - Director of Harrogate Convention Centre outlined the issues with the Centre and drew attention to the disruption to forward bookings that would come with phase I of the works, and the significant associated risks. She confirmed her view that there were better ways of investing tactically that would enable the redevelopment of individual parts of the Centre, on a year by year basis thereby creating less disruption.

Executive Members acknowledged the extensive work on the project to date and were pleased to note the upturn in revenue performance and the Director of Harrogate Convention Centre’s confidence in the model and commitment to finding suitable investment, though not at any cost.

Councillor Michael Harrison stressed the importance of the Council’s investment in the Centre for its economic impact on the Harrogate area and the wider region.

Having considered the report in full, and having noted the importance the HCC site had on the economic GVA for Harrogate, its impact on the public purse and of providing best value to the NY taxpayer, the Executive

Resolved the recommendations in the report i.e.that:

i)     The outcome of the final tendered price and programme for phase 1 of the redevelopment project for HCC be noted.

ii)    The £57m construction contract for phase 1 improvements not be progressed, accepting this would not be an end to investment in HCC.

iii)   The options be subsequently re-appraised once the outcome of the SMT and options appraisal was known in Spring 2024.

 iv)  Pending the outcome of (iii) above, a planned improvement programme for HCC be considered, concentrating upon essential, timely building requirements with a commercial approach to future working.

v)   Asset risks continue to be established, monitored, and managed until a longer-term solution could be agreed.

In addition, the Executive agreed the future new Mayor for North Yorkshire should also be involved in securing the future of Harrogate Convention Centre, and it was

Resolved – That

vi)   The Leader write to all declared Mayoral candidates after close of nominations, outlining the position around Harrogate Convention Centre and seeking their support in principle should they be elected, in securing a resolution that preserves the economic benefit of the asset.