Issue - meetings

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Sands)

Report of the Head of Community Engagement

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Sands)

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Community Engagement to update members on the review of the Museums Partnership and agree future management responsibilities.

No options were being put forward at the moment. The recommendation was to continue negotiations for a further year. The City Council was not yet in a position to respond to any changes to the current arrangements. 

In taking forward negotiations with Lancashire County Council the focus would be on the following areas:

§         Value for money considerations – such as could the per capita subsidy be reduced by either increasing visitor numbers or reducing costs by identifying efficiency or other savings that might be achieved as part of any new arrangements.

§         A clear strategy to be developed for the future management of City, Maritime and Cottage Museums and within that, the relationship with the Judges Lodging Museum and eventually the Castle.

§         Development of clearer cohesive arrangements around programming and pricing.

§         Whilst retaining a shared approach with the County Council County there would need to be a clearer understanding of the direct services provided and their true costs.

• Issues such as information technology provision, financial management systems, procurement, inventories of equipment and tools, subcontracts etc would need to be considered as part of any new arrangements.

Councillor Sands, seconded by Councillor Hanson:

“(1)      That the recommendations, as set out in the report, be approved.”

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)                    That the City Council continues with the existing partnership agreement with Lancashire County Council for a further year in order to continue ongoing dialogue aimed at developing a new shared service arrangement for the museums service in the district.

(2)                    That further reports are brought back to members during 2012/13 presenting more detailed information that will form the basis of the new arrangements prior to their implementation.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Head of Community Engagement

Reasons for making the decision:

Management of the Museums was an important element of the Council’s priorities of Economic Regeneration and is cited within the Corporate Plan: ‘An improved future for the district’s museums is secured.’  The decision will enable focused negotiations to be taken forward with Lancashire County Council.