AGENDA ITEM:
MIDDLESBROUGH COUNCIL
EXECUTIVE REPORT
Refurbishment of Middlesbrough Town Hall complex – Performance and
Spaces Executive Member for Regeneration and Economic
Development: David Budd
Director of Regeneration: Kevin Parkes
Date 30th March 2010
PURPOSE OF THE REPORT
1.
To provide an update on the refurbishment strategy for Middlesbrough Town Hall
agreed by the Executive in March 2009 and to seek approval to a first stage of pre
implementation work.
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS
2.
To support the revised development strategy and the recommended approach to its
delivery outlined in this.
IF THIS IS A KEY DECISION WHICH KEY DECISION TEST APPLIES?
3.
It is over the financial threshold (£75,000)
It has a significant impact on 2 or more wards
Non Key
X
DECISION IMPLEMENTATION DEADLINE
4.
For the purposes of the scrutiny call in procedure this report is
Non-urgent
Urgent report
X
If urgent please give full reasons
BACKGROUND AND EXTERNAL CONSULTATION
5.
The overall Middlesbrough Town Hall complex is arguably the most important and
identifiable group of buildings in the town. It is also a fine example of Victorian
gothic civic architecture which gives it its listed building status.
6.
The overall building complex contains a range of civic, office and other
accommodation which encloses the central quadrangle. To the north, and
separated by a covered carriage drive, are the two major performance spaces – the
main Town Hall Concert Hall and below this the Crypt Hall space.
7.
Middlesbrough is the main urban centre of the Tees Valley sub region and a vibrant
cultural quarter is an important component of its facilities and ability to fulfil the role
as the main centre in the sub region. The Town Hall performance spaces are a key
element in the cultural quarter which has taken such a significant step forward since
the provision of the mima Gallery space and associated Civic Square. The Concert
Hall is the most important in the sub region and second only to The Sage, in the
region. It provides a varied range of offer, including the Tees Valley’s main
classical music programme.
8.
Previous reports have identified the current condition of the overall Town Hall
complex and referred to the previous work identifying a new vision for the important
group of buildings.
9.
The March 2009 report to the Executive was prepared in the context of seeking
resources for the next stage of design/development work and identified a potential
four phases of work:
a) Phase 1:
(i) essential repairs and maintenance;
(ii) acoustic requirements;
(iii) improvements to the stage area.
b) Phase 2:
(i) improvement to front of house facilities including upgraded booking office
provision, tourist information and the introduction of appropriate food and
drink offer.
c) Phase 3:
(i) roofing of the quadrangle
d) Phase 4:
(i) upgrading other parts of the building and bringing back into use currently
underused space.
10.
The strategy adopted in March last year. However, subsequently there has been a
need to re-consider the overall approach. This has been informed by discussions
with One NorthEast and other funding partners. Critically, as a consequence of the
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recession and the significant levels of public borrowing there is clearly going to be
less money available for the foreseeable future for major capital schemes. There
has been therefore a need to re-appraise the vision for the Town Hall.
11.
While economic circumstances are still extremely difficult this report recommends a
new approach to instigate some initial design/development works. This would have
the following elements:
a) to accept that attracting significant Single Programme and Heritage Lottery
resources for the project is likely to be difficult in the foreseeable future and
to put forward a modified and reduced scheme backed by appropriate levels
of matched resources by the local authority itself;
b) to establish what match funding from existing budgets is possible;
c) to undertake through in house expertise, an assessment of what could be
achieved against the established priorities from a realistic budget; and,
d) recognise that for reasons related to the position of the Singe Programme
budget and VAT implications on the Council that significant capital spend is
unlikely to be possible before the 2012/2013 financial year.
12.
Fundamentally, it is also important to settle in a more modest ambition for the Town
Hall, which will address the need to improve the front of house experience at the
venue. The likely funders need to have some broad principles of what the overall
ambition is to contain. Potentially, there may also be opportunities to provide some
new facilities, which would complement the venue and add to the overall town
centre off e.g. a quality café/bar. The scheme will need to be set in the context of
the likely resources available (see paragraph 11, above). In particular, the arrival
experience and hospitality areas could be greatly enhanced. It is therefore
proposed to undertake:
a) Building on previous work, a comprehensive assessment/survey of the Town
Hall concert facilities and the adjoining areas in the carriageway, former
Court rooms etc. This is being undertaken by the Council’s Design Services.
It is envisaged this work will be complete by the end of April 2010.
b) preliminary option appraisals for improving the front of house experiences for
the Concert Hall/Crypt and Tourist Information Office. This will include
looking at the possibility of using under utilised spaces in the Town Hall.
This work will cost approximately £25,000 and be complete by September
2010. It is intended this work will not disadvantage later development work
or undermine the original vision which could still build upon this approach.
13.
In undertaking the option appraisal work, account will be taken of the likely
resources that could be realised to implement the scheme as outlined in paragraph
11.
It would also need to address longer-term aspirations in terms of
performances/event. A further report will be presented to the Executive outling the
preliminary options later this year.
EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT
14.
A full equality impact assessment will accompany the options for the future
enhancement of facilities.
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OPTION APPRAISAL/RISK ASSESSMENT
15.
The above report sets out that there is a need to undertake a new options appraisal
for the Town Hall complex focusing primarily on enhancing the Concert Hall/Crypt,
based on the prevailing economic circumstances. The intention is to produce a new
set of options for the potential enhancement which will be presented to the
Executive late summer/early autumn 2010.
FINANCIAL, LEGAL AND WARD IMPLICATIONS
Financial
16.
The above report outlines that there is a likely commitment of approximately
£25,000 to develop a series of indicative options for its enhancement. Resources
will be funded from Regeneration Initiatives budget and Working Neighbourhoods
Fund.
Legal
17.
There are no legal impediments to delivering the strategy identified.
Ward
18.
The Town Hall is of importance to the whole town and this report will therefore be of
interest to all Ward Members.
RECOMMENDATIONS
19.
That the Executive supports the revised development strategy in respect of the
enhancement of the Town Hall and the recommended approach to its delivery
outlined in this report.
REASONS
20.
There is a need to re-consider the options for the enhancement of the Town Hall
complex based on the prevailing economic circumstances.
BACKGROUND PAPERS
21.
No background papers were used in the preparation of this report.
AUTHOR:
TEL NO:
Kevin Parkes
01642 729301
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