Decision details

Cabinet recommended to Council that:

The Council agrees:

(a)           that the future of the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum, for which it is sole trustee, would be best served by externalisation in the form of the transfer of Sole Trusteeship to a new corporate entity (CLG or CIO) to operate and manage the charity;

(b)           as Sole Trustee of the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum to make a formal application to the Charity Commission for a change of governance under Section 73 of Charities Act 2011 to replace the Council as sole trustee with a new corporate entity (CLG or CIO) acting as sole trustee and for the modernisation of governance articles;

(c)           to establish a Corporate Entity (CLG or CIO) and appoint a Shadow Board of 5 nominees to oversee the transition to independence, provide continuity and stability and to maintain an on-going supportive relationship with the new CLG/CIO;

(d)           to negotiate, during the transition phase, future years grant support for the new Trustee, along with the transfer of assets, lease arrangements etc with an expected vesting day of 1 April 2024 at the earliest; and

(e)           To delegate authority to the Director of Finance, Director of Law & Governance and the Chief Operations Officer to determine the best financial model in consultation with the Portfolio Holder.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Tourism, Culture and Vibrant Places

Reason

To safeguard the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum in the longer term.

To modernise the governance arrangements for the charity and enable it to deliver its charitable objectives, fundraise effectively and thrive in the future.