Issue - meetings

In the light of recent high-profile losses at national museums, the Russell-Cotes is introducing new policies and procedures on audit and damage and loss to reduce risk and demonstrate accountability, in line with best practice in the sector.

[PLEASE NOTE: should the committee wish to discuss the contents of the exempt appendix at appendix 1 then the meeting will be required to go into confidential/exempt session]

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

Public Report 

In the light of recent high-profile losses at national museums, the Russell-Cotes is introducing new policies and procedures on audit and damage and loss to reduce risk and demonstrate accountability, in line with best practice in the sector.

Existing procedures had been reviewed and two further policies created to introduce more detailed procedures which were proportionate for the risk and resource.  The Audit Policy lays out a sample based audit routine and regular checks so that regular checks might identify losses or thefts. However, proportionally it will only be a small selection out of a collection of 40,000 items.  The Damage and Loss Policy identifies the procedure should any loss or damage occur. It lays out the procedure for any loss to ensure that it is properly recorded, reported to the curator, manager, Management Committee and police as appropriate and a review undertaken of any changes needed.

RESOLVED that

The Management Committee agree the policies and procedures for

·       Audit

·       Damage and Loss