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Item: 13 Page: 134 Education & Children’s Services REPORT TO COMMUNITIES COMMITTEE – 8 NOVEMBER 2018 DISPOSAL OF OBJECTS FROM ABERDEENSHIRE COUNCIL MUSEUM COLLECTIONS 1 Recommendations The Committee is recommended to: 1.1 Approve the disposal of 22 museum objects from Aberdeenshire Council Museum collections, in line with Aberdeenshire Council’s Disposal Policy. 2 Background / Discussion 2.1 Aberdeenshire Council Museums Service is Accredited by Museums Galleries Scotland. The Service is required to follow disposal procedures as outlined in its Collections Development Policy 2015-20 (Appendix 2 - 16. Disposal procedures), which was previously agreed by Committee. 2.2 The Collections Development Policy stipulates that the decision to dispose of material from the collections will be taken by the governing body only after full consideration of the reasons for disposal. The Communities Committee is the recognised “Governing Body” for the service and works within the principle that sound curatorial reasons for disposal must be established before consideration is given to the disposal of any items in Aberdeenshire Council’s museum collections. 2.3 A decision to dispose of a specimen or object, whether by gift, exchange, sale or destruction (in the case of an item too badly damaged or deteriorated to be of any use for the purposes of the collections or for reasons of health and safety), will be the responsibility of the governing body of Aberdeenshire Council Museums Service acting on the advice of professional curatorial staff, if any, and not of the curator of the collection acting alone. The Council’s Area Committees will be informed. 2.4 Aberdeenshire Council Museums Service recommends the disposal of 22 objects as listed below. Detail on each of the objects is provided at Appendix 1. Turriff Town Council table and 12 chairs (1999.007.2a-m). Propose disposal to Turriff & District Heritage Society, which would see the objects returned to their original historic setting and on public display. Cutty Sark model (2011.023). Propose return to original donor, as requested by donor. Once restored, this model would be put on public display. Five sundry farm implements comprising two single furrow ploughs (1992.017.19 & 1992.017.56), a double furrow plough (1992.017.01), a Item: 13 Page: 135 scarifier (1992.017.33) and a potato planter (1992.017.69). Propose disposal through scrappage. Orkney spinning wheel (1984.507). Propose disposal to Orkney Islands Council Museums. Two spinning reel wheels for the Orkney spinning wheel (1984.513.1-2). Propose disposal to Orkney Islands Council Museums. 2.5 The Head of Finance and Monitoring Officer within Business Services have been consulted in the preparation of this report and had no comment to make and are satisfied that the report complies with the Scheme of Governance and relevant legislation. 3 Scheme of Governance 3.1 The Committee is able to consider and take a decision on this item in terms of Section D.6 of the List of Committee Powers in Part 2A of the Scheme of Governance as it relates to library and museum services, sports, culture and heritage. 4 Equalities, Staffing and Financial Implications 4.1 An equality impact assessment is not required because the proposed disposal of these museum objects does not have a differential impact on any of the protected characteristics. 4.2 The proposed disposal of these museum objects incurs no staffing or financial implications. 4.3 There are no risks associated with the disposal of these objects. Laurence Findlay Director of Education & Children’s Services Report prepared by Fiona Slattery Clark, Museums Development Co-ordinator 10 August 2018 Item: 13 Page: 136 Appendix 1 Disposal List for Aberdeenshire Council Museum Service 10 August 2018 Object Description Reason for disposal number 1999.007.2a-m Turriff Town Council table and 12 chairs, presently on To be transferred to Turriff & District Heritage Society’s ownership. TDHS is a loan to Turriff & District Heritage Society. constituted society and registered charity, dedicated to the history and heritage of the area. It would be pertinent to dispose of these objects by this process of transfer given that TDHS now resides in the old Turriff Council building which includes the Council Chamber. The table and chairs would be returned to their original historic setting. 2011.023 Cutty Sark model. Duplicate and in poor condition, requiring substantial repair. It is proposed to return the object to the donor who wishes to fully restore the model and lend it the local Sea Cadets group. Item: 13 Page: 137 Object Description Reason for disposal number 1992.017.01 Five sundry farm implements comprising a double furrow Duplicates and in very poor condition. To be scrapped. 1992.017.19 plough, a single furrow plough, a scarifier, a single 1992.017.33 furrow plough and a potato planter. 1992.017.56 1992.017.69 Item: 13 Page: 138 Object Description Reason for disposal number 1984.507 Orkney spinning wheel with a broken footplate hinge. In poor condition, has no association with Aberdeenshire and is therefore outwith our Collections Development Policy. In first instance transfer to a suitable repository, such as Orkney Islands Council (Arts, Museums & Heritage Service) or disposal by destruction as a last resort. 1984.513.1-2 Spinning reel wheels for Orkney spinning wheel. In poor condition, has no association with Aberdeenshire and is therefore outwith our Collections Development Policy. In first instance transfer to a suitable repository, such as Orkney Islands Council (Arts, Museums & Heritage Service) or disposal by destruction as a last resort. Item: 13 APPENDIX 2 Page: 139 Education, Learning & Leisure ABERDEENSHIRE COUNCIL MUSEUMS SERVICE COLLECTIONS DEVELOPMENT POLICY 2015-2020 May 2015 Item: 13 Page: 140 Name of museum: Aberdeenshire Museums Service Name of governing body: Aberdeenshire Council Date on which this policy was approved by governing body: TBD Date at which this policy is due for review: May 2020 Museums Galleries Scotland will be notified of any changes to the Collections Development Policy, and the implications of any such changes for the future of collections. 1. Relationship to other relevant policies and plans of the organisation. 1.1. Aberdeenshire Museums Service’s purpose is: To enhance the quality of life of Aberdeenshire people and visitors to Aberdeenshire, by providing and enabling inspiring and challenging learning experiences that support the delivery of Lifelong Learning through the collection, preservation, interpretation of, and community engagement with real objects in the museum service’s collections. To achieve this, the museum service will: Provide Aberdeenshire with a quality museum service that promotes and enhances the cultural life of Aberdeenshire. Maintain Aberdeenshire Council’s museums to Accreditation standards. Abide by the Museums Association’s Code of Ethics for Museums, the Standing Conference on Archives and Museums’ Code of Practice on Archives for Museums and Galleries in the United Kingdom, and the Institute of Conservation’s Professional Guidelines. Maintain, develop, research and conserve collections held in trust for future generations by Aberdeenshire Council. Support the delivery of Lifelong Learning. Provide a service that is community-, visitor- and tourist-orientated, accessible and available to all through displays, activities, promotions and new technology. Support engagement as well as observation. Item: 13 Page: 141 Develop facilities for their social and educational value, reflecting and building upon the cultural diversity and identity of the Aberdeenshire. Manage the museum service efficiently and effectively, ensuring staff develop their full potential. Participate in the formulation and delivery of Aberdeenshire Council policies directed at the preservation and enhancement of tangible heritage, environment and the creation of sustainable communities. Develop partnerships at local, regional and national level, with organisations and individuals that will aid service delivery and support communities. 1.2 Aberdeenshire Museums Service will ensure that both acquisition and disposal are carried out openly and with transparency. 1.3 By definition, Aberdeenshire Museums Service has a long-term purpose and holds collections in trust for the benefit of the public in relation to its stated objectives. Aberdeenshire Museums Service therefore accepts the principle that sound curatorial reasons must be established before any consideration is given to any acquisition to the collection, or the disposal of any items in the museum’s collection. 1.4 Acquisitions outside the current stated policy will only be made in exceptional circumstances. 1.5 Aberdeenshire Museums Service recognises its responsibility, when acquiring additions to its collections, to ensure that care of collections, documentation arrangements and use of collections will meet the requirements of the Museum Accreditation Standard. This includes using SPECTRUM primary procedures for collections management. It will take into account limitations on collecting imposed by such factors as staffing, storage and care of collection arrangements. 1.6 Aberdeenshire Council will undertake due diligence and make every effort not to acquire, whether by purchase, gift, bequest or exchange, any object or specimen unless the governing body or responsible officer is satisfied that Aberdeenshire Museums Service can acquire a valid title to the item in question. 1.7 Aberdeenshire Museums