Decision details

Executive Board is recommended to agree to

1.  Give authority for the Council to enter into an agreement with the other of the First White Cloth Hall on the basis outlined in the heads of terms in the confidential appendix 5 of this report.

2.  Delegate authority to the Director of City Development to settle the final terms of that agreement.

3.  Give authority to spend £1.505m on the works outlined in this report.

The Director of City Development submitted a report on the Lower Kirkgate Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) and which sought approval to enter into an agreement with the owner of First White Cloth Hall on the basis of the heads of terms, as detailed within exempt appendix 5 to the submitted report. In addition, the report also sought authority to spend the £1,505,000 which had been awarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

The Board welcomed the proposals detailed within the submitted report, especially when considering the regeneration and retail development which was taking place in that part of the city centre.

Following consideration of appendices 5 and 6 to the submitted report, designated as exempt from publication under the provisions of Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(3), which were considered in private at the conclusion of the meeting, it was

RESOLVED –

(a)  That authority be given for the Council to enter into an agreement with the owner of the First White Cloth Hall on the basis outlined within the heads of terms as detailed in exempt appendix 5 to the submitted report;

(b)  That authority be delegated to the Director of City Development in order to settle the final terms of that agreement;

(c)  That authority be given to spend £1,505,000 on the works as outlined within the submitted report;

(d)  That it be noted that the Programme Manager (Major Projects) will be responsible for the implementation of such matters;

(e)  That the feasibility timescales as outlined within appendix 3 to the submitted report be noted.

In 2011 members of the public were asked about their views on Lower Kirkgate Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) and construction craft training.  A total of 265 people responded showing considerable interest in and support for the then proposed THI, training and education initiatives linked to heritage construction.  City Centre Plans Panel, Ward Members and the Executive Member (Development) and a number of amenity groups were also consulted on the establishment of the THI.

Ward Members, City Centre Plans Panel, Inner South Area Committee, Richmond Hill Forum, and a range of heritage organisations including English Heritage, Leeds Civic Trust, Victorian Society and the West Yorkshire Archaeological Advisory Service (WYAAS) have also been consulted on the general THI proposals.  Ward Members, Executive Member (Development & Economy), English Heritage, the Heritage Lottery Fund and Legal Services have been consulted on the specific option agreement proposals.