Issue - meetings

The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum Management Committee’s recommendation for governance change of the Museum has been fully supported by the approval of externalisation, formally agreed at BCP Council meeting on 10 January 2023.  Financial support of £98,500 has been received from National Heritage Lottery Fund which will support the legal costs for governance change and the transition costs for a new independent operation.

The work programme to achieve externalisation can now be implemented.  The priority is to initiate the application to the Charity Commission for a change of governance under Section 73 of the Charities Act, which requires decisions on the specific governance changes desired.

In order to manage the complex, multi-faceted process a Steering Committee will be set up consisting of Portfolio Holder, Management Committee Members, BCP Council officers and museum staff and advisers, which will meet regularly. This is in addition to regular update reports to this Committee for approval.

The Museum Manager presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'D' to these minutes in the Minute Book. The Committee was advised that its recommendation for governance change of the Museum had been fully supported by the approval of externalisation, formally agreed at the BCP Council meeting on 10 January 2023.  The Committee was informed that financial support of £98,500 had been received from the National Heritage Lottery Fund, this would support the legal costs for governance change and the transition costs for a new independent operation.

The work programme to achieve externalisation was now being implemented.  The priority was to apply to the Charity Commission for a change of governance under Section 73 of the Charities Act. This would need to include the specific governance changes required.

In order to manage the process, it was proposed that a Steering Committee be set up consisting of the relevant Portfolio Holder, Management Committee Members, BCP Council officers and museum staff and advisers. The steering committee would meet regularly and updates on progress would continue to be brought back to the Management Committee.

The expected timescales for implementation of externalisation were outlined. It was noted that there was no parliamentary time for this until 2024 and it was therefore suggested that the later part of a timeline from April 2024 to April 2025 would be more achievable.

The Legal Team would be nominating someone to work with the Museum Manager to provide legal advice for the progression of externalisation, engaging a lawyer would also need to go through the Council’s procurement processes due to the significant costs.

The steering group would be helpful in this process and would include someone from project management team to help guide the process. It was expected the group would hold its initial meeting on Monday 3 April.

The Committee asked about the financial sustainability of the project and whether there was a possibility that it would create a funding gap. It was noted that when the Museum does externalise it needed to ensure that it was in its best shape to survive. Most of the Museum’s income was earned from the public.

The Chairman and Portfolio Holder thanked everyone for their work.

RESOLVED that:

·     The report be noted

·     That the establishment of a project steering group to oversee and support progress to deliver BCP Council’s recommendation of full externalisation for the Russell-Cotes be agreed.

·     That the work programme outlined be proceeded with BCP officer support.

Voting: Nem. Con.