Issue - meetings

This report provides an update on the activities of the Russell-Cotes from 1 March – 30 September 2023.

This has been an exceptionally good period for the museum, with a 14% increase in visitor numbers and in associated income for the first 6 months of the financial year 2023/24.

The exhibition ‘In her own voice: the art of Lucy Kemp-Welch’ has been a critical and commercial success and attracted national coverage.  In addition, improvements to digital marketing, TV coverage and poor weather from July have impacted positively.

The café, events and membership have performed well. The only exception has been the shop. Although profit margins remain good,  its turnover has decreased because of issues with stock purchase and is likely impacted by sensitivities about spending on non-essentials.

Significant concerns remain about the poor state of the building, its continued deterioration and loss and the detrimental impact this has on the irreplaceable and fragile Grade2* historic house, externally and internally, as well as its collections, operations and visitor experience.

The Museum Manager presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix A to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

This report provides an update on the activities of the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum from 1 March – 30 September 2023.

The Management Committee was advised that the period had been exceptionally good for the museum, with a 14% increase in visitor numbers and associated income for the first 6 months of the financial year 2023/24.

The exhibition ‘In her own voice: the art of Lucy Kemp-Welch’ has been a critical and commercial success and attracted national coverage.  In addition, improvements to digital marketing, TV coverage and poor weather from July had resulted in a positive impact. 

The café, events and membership had performed well with the only exception being the shop. Although profit margins remained good, the shop’s turnover has decreased because of issues with stock purchases and the likely reluctance of patrons to spend on non-essentials during a time of financial hardship.

Significant concerns remained about the continued deterioration of the building and the detrimental impact this had on the irreplaceable and fragile Grade2* historic house, as well as its collections, operations and visitor experience. There was good news on funding, with Bournemouth Civic Society having offered their surplus to the museum, additional Arts Council funding and a bequeathment.

There were discussions and questions on the report.

The Thai exhibition was commended.  There was a recent private view which the Thai Ambassador, his wife and a member of the Thai Royal family attended.  It is expected that the exhibition will be popular.

There was a question about the fragility of the building and how much was needed for the building.

It was reported that last year that BCP spent £9,600 on compliance CCTV, fire alarms and lifts. 

It was stated that Russell-Cotes is feeling the effects of global warming, rain is good for numbers but not the building due to its fragility.

On page 11 item 7 of the report shows the quite serious fragile state of the building some of which will take a great deal of resource to remedy.

It was asked if there is a register of collection items in place.

It was confirmed there is a register of items in the collection, and everything is inventoried, there are 2 audits per year

The Museum Manager reported that she will draw up a policy on Audit, and on Loss and Damage which will be brought to the Committee for approval to provide additional clarity.

RECOMMENDED/RESOLVED that the Management Committee accepts the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum review report for the period 1 March – 30 September 2023.

Voting: Unanimous