Issue - meetings

Charter Trustees are advised of the following:

·       To provide an update on the ownership of chess cups used for a chess competition supported by a previous Mayor of Bournemouth in 2008/09.

·       To consider a request from the Russell Cotes Art Gallery and Museum for the Mace and Badge donated by Merton and Annie Russell Cotes to be loaned to them for ‘The Road to the Museum: 20 steps to the opening of Bournemouth’s cultural gem exhibition’ which is part of the Museum’s Centenary Celebrations for 2022.

·       To consider the donation of two portraits of Basil and Mabel Beckett former Mayor and Mayoress of Bournemouth Borough Council.

·       To update the Charter Trustees on the annual verification of assets.

The Deputy Head of Democratic Services presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'B' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Charter Trustees were advised of the following:

·       an update on the ownership of chess cups used for a chess competition supported by a previous Mayor of Bournemouth in 2008/09.

·       a request from the Russell Cotes Art Gallery and Museum for the Mace and Badge donated by Sir Merton and Lady Annie Russell Cotes to be loaned to them for ‘The Road to the Museum: 20 steps to the opening of Bournemouth’s cultural gem exhibition’ which is part of the Museum’s Centenary Celebrations for 2022.

·       the donation of two portraits of Basil and Mabel Beckett former Mayor and Mayoress of Bournemouth Borough Council.

·       an update on the annual verification of assets.

Councillor Filer commented on the donation of the two portraits. She explained that all Mayors of Bournemouth automatically had studio portraits done and there were approximately 60 portraits.  She thanked the family member for the kind offer, raised the issue of storage for the Charter Trustees and suggested that the donation was not accepted.   It was suggested that an approach could be made to the Russell Cotes Art Gallery and Museum. Members commented on the proposal acknowledging the issues raised by Councillor Filer.  Councillor Coope asked what was going to happen to the portraits of Mayors from the Christchurch Civic Offices.  The Mayor indicated that the issue raised by Councillor Coope should be directed to the Christchurch Town Council. The Mayor indicated that the Charter Trustees did not have the available storage space and suggested offering the portraits to the Museum or the Library.

RESOLVED that

(a)  The return of the chess cups to Sir George Meyrick be noted and that the cups be removed from the Charter Trustees asset register.

(b)  The request for the loan of the Mace and Badge donated by Sir Merton and Lady Annie Russell Cotes in 1890 by the Russell Cotes Art Gallery and Museum for the ‘Road to the Museum: 20 Steps to the opening of Bournemouth’s Culture gem exhibition’ be approved for up to 9 months subject to the Charter Trustees having access to the regalia as required for civic events and engagements during this period and all appropriate security and insurance cover being put in place by the Museum for the duration of the loan.

(c)  The Charter Trustees having considered the kind offer of the two portraits of Basil and Mabel Beckett former Mayor and Mayoress of Bournemouth Borough Council agreed not to accept the portraits for the reasons outlined above and suggested that they be offered to the Museum or the Library.

(d)  The Charter Trustees note that arrangements are being made for the annual verification of assets.

Voting: Agreed