Decision Maker: Strategy and Resources Policy Committee

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: January 22, 2025

Purpose: The Town Hall has been the democratic heart of Sheffield for over 125 years and although it has been maintained and remains structurally sound the building is showing its age. Members need costed building design options to understand the way forward for securing the long-term sustainable future of this much-loved civic building.

Content: 10.1 The Executive Director Neighbourhood Services submitted a report seeking approval from Strategy and Resources Policy Committee to proceed with the proposed roadmap to a restored, refurbished and sustainable Town Hall. The Town Hall has been the democratic heart of Sheffield for over 125 years and although it has been maintained and remains structurally sound the building is showing its age. Members need costed building design options to understand the way forward for securing the long-term sustainable future of this much-loved civic building.     10.2 RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Strategy and Resources Policy Committee:-       (a) agrees to progress to the next step of developing and delivering a restored and sustainable Town Hall endorsing;   • The engagement of the internal project delivery team to undertake the next stage of design work (up to RIBA Stage 2) providing feasibility options for a one-time cost-effective civic restoration of the Town Hall   • The development and delivery of a stakeholder engagement plan to define a shared vision and ensure that any proposal meets the future civic and public needs of Sheffield;   (b) approves the use of £1.2m allocated from the workplace reserve to fund the next stage of design work and surveys, up to RIBA stage 2, to be undertaken by the project delivery team;   (c) approves the use of a further £300k allocated from the workplace reserve to fund;   • Additional external resources (Client team) on a temporary basis, to be employed to successfully move the project forward (up to RIBA Stage 2)   • Upcoming emergency works to continue to secure the safety of occupants and prevent further partial or full closure of the building; and   (d) agrees to receive a further report at the completion of RIBA Stage 1 to update on progress in autumn/winter 2025.     10.3 Reasons for Decision     10.3.1 The Town Hall requires significant investment to safeguard the buildings future, ensuring that it meets the future civic, public and community needs of the city. Improved information from the feasibility study and stakeholder engagement will help to inform Member decisions on the best way forward for meeting our stewardship obligations of this well-loved, city centre, heritage building.     10.3.2 Delaying this investment increases the risk of building failures and non-compliance which could lead to accident, injury, further floor closures or even building closure. As we continue to move services into the building from Moorfoot this risk intensifies. In addition, the longer we delay essential repair and maintenance works the more the building deteriorates, costing more in the long term.     10.3.3 The size, complexity, listed status, and heritage value of the building make this a challenging and complex project to deliver, especially along side the demands of the wider Accommodation Review and corporate need. The funding model being developed as part of the Accommodation Strategy Review will provide Members with options to achieve a well maintained, fit for purpose and financially sustainable Council estate.     10.3.4 Across the country Town Halls are being safeguarded for future generations, we must build on the lessons learned from these precedents and utilise the information of the previous studies whilst they remain current and relevant. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for asset rationalisation and creating an integrated city centre community.     10.4 Alternatives Considered and Rejected     10.4.1 Alternative Option 1: Do nothing. This is not a realistic option because the Town Hall no longer meets the requirements of our services and communities; without investment this heritage asset will continue to deteriorate and there is a significant risk that further parts of the building will be closed ultimately leading to full building closure. This would have serious impact on the democratic operations of the council alongside reputational damage of not undertaking our stewardship obligations for the building.     10.4.2 Alternative Option 2: Sell/dispose of asset. Agree that the Council cannot afford to maintain or undertake the stewardship for the Town Hall and choose to sell the asset to an organisation that can secure the buildings long term future. Option discounted on the basis that; • The Town Hall is the purpose-built democratic heart of Sheffield and has continued to be so for over 125 years so should continue to host the democratic functions. • The building has significant cultural and heritage value as one of only five Grade I listed buildings in Sheffield and therefore the Council’s preference is to retain the stewardship for this historic, civic asset. • The building is also not an attractive commercial offer for developers with significant repair and maintenance required alongside restrictions of the listing and spaces designed for democratic use which limit alternative uses.     10.4.3 Alternative Option 3: Feasibility study looking only at the essential compliance and maintenance works. It is not cost effective to undertake a feasibility study that is restricted to essential compliance and maintenance works and then later explore how the building can better meet the current and future needs of the building users. The building is no longer fit for purpose with redundant, dilapidated and underutilised spaces, outdated services and facilities - we must secure the future of the building through looking at the buildings future holistically which means looking at essential compliance and maintenance alongside the civic building use and transformative works, futureproofing this historic, civic asset.     10.4.4 Alternative Option 4: A feasibility study that also includes alternative uses for the building. The 2018 study concluded that the Town Hall should prioritise enhancing civic and community functions over hotel or commercial use. Hotel use was dismissed due to access difficulties, the unsuitability of existing accommodations for hotel operations, and the lack of commercial appeal for hotel operators, given the substantial investment and high operational costs associated with a Grade I listed building. Commercial office rentals were also ruled out, favouring the relocation of council staff to the Town Hall while seeking other sites for commercial leases. We must build on this informative piece of work and move forward with the next stage of design looking at how the building can meet the future civic and public needs of Sheffield.