Purpose

To provide Cabinet with an
update on the latest position regarding the George Hotel
project, and seek approval for a way
forward.
 
Papers provided for Cabinet
11.10.2022 – link below:

Decision - The refurbishment and redevelopment of
the George in Huddersfield Town Centre to transform this building
into a new hotel as part of the Huddersfield Blueprint | Kirklees
Council
 
Engagement Process
 
Engagement has taken place with
various services across the Council in the development of the
project to ensure alignment and support with other projects and
programmes, and this will continue as the scheme
progresses.
 
Engagement with Historic
England, WYCA and other key stakeholders has also continued, and
they continue to support the scheme. In advance of Cabinet, Ward
Councillors will be offered briefing sessions to discuss the latest
position, and all key stakeholders will be engaged as the project
progresses.
 
Consultation
 
This report deals with the
delivery of one part of the Blueprint. The Blueprint was subject to
several engagement exercises commencing in 2018 as part of the
Blueprint development and then again late in 2019 after the
Blueprint launch the council undertook a Place Standard exercise to
benchmark public reaction to the approach and projects. The results
from this exercise show there is a great desire to bring the George
into active use. The key report for this can be found by accessing
the following link:

https://howgoodisourplace.org.uk/huddersfield-town-centre/
 
Moving forward, the detailed
designs will be subject to formal consultation through the planning
stage where all parties, including members of the public, will have
access to detailed plans and will be able to comment on the
proposals.
 

Content

RESOLVED –
 

1)   
That approval be given to the continued redevelopment of the George
site as a hotel as a key part of the Huddersfield Blueprint.

2)   
That further to the approved £20.2million in the Capital
Plan, approval be given to the reprofiling of £9.8million
from future phases of the Our Cultural Heart budget within the
Capital Plan to the George site project to provide a total budget
of £30million.

3)   
That authority be delegated to the Portfolio Holder for
Regeneration in consultation with the Executive Director for Place,
Service Director for Finance, and Service Director for Legal,
Governance and Commissioning to: -
 
(i)            
approve any further increase in costs up to a maximum of 5% of the
total project cost, accommodated through further reprofiling of the
Capital Plan;
(ii)           
explore cost reduction and grant funding opportunities;
(iii)         
approve the final design; and
(iv)         
award the building contract subject to necessary consents.

 

4)   
That authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Place,
and Service Director for Legal, Governance and Commissioning to:
-
 
(i)            
negotiate and enter into a variation to the Hotel Management
Agreement within the limits of resolutions (2) and (3); and
(ii)           
negotiate and enter into License/Licenses and formal agreements
with Network Rail to facilitate necessary access and egress.