Norfolk Joint Museums Committee
Date: Friday 28 November 2014
Time: 2.00 pm
Venue: Edwards Room, County Hall, Norwich
Membership
Norfolk County Council Norwich City Council Mrs J Brociek-Coulton Mr D Bradford Mr H Humphrey Mrs S Button Mr J Joyce Mr B Price Mr M Kiddle-Morris Mrs E Morgan Borough Council of King’s Lynn & Mr R Parkinson-Hare West Norfolk Mr M Storey Mrs E Nockolds Mr J Ward Mrs J Wilkinson Broadland District Council Mr J W Bracey Breckland District Council Mr P J Duigan Great Yarmouth Borough Council Mrs K S Robinson-Payne South Norfolk District Council Dr C Kemp
North Norfolk District Council Mr G Williams
Co-opted Members (Non-Voting)
Arts Council Museum Friends Ms K Fawcett Mr R Gurney
1 For further details and general enquiries about this Agenda please contact the Committee Officer: Tim Shaw on 01603 222948 or email [email protected]
Under the Council’s protocol on the use of media equipment at meetings held in public, this meeting may be filmed, recorded or photographed. Anyone who wishes to do so must inform the Chairman and ensure that it is done in a manner clearly visible to anyone present. The wishes of any individual not to be recorded or filmed must be appropriately respected.
2 A g e n d a
1. To receive the minutes of the previous meeting held on 27 June (Page 5 ) 2014
2. To receive apologies and details of any substitute members attending
3. Members to Declare any Interests
If you have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in a matter to be considered at the meeting and that interest is on your Register of Interests you must not speak or vote on the matter.
If you have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in a matter to be considered at the meeting and that interest is not on your Register of Interests you must declare that interest at the meeting and not speak or vote on the matter.
In either case you may remain in the room where the meeting is taking place. If you consider that it would be inappropriate in the circumstances to remain in the room, you may leave the room while the matter is dealt with.
If you do not have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest you may nevertheless have an Other Interest in a matter to be discussed if it affects
• your well being or financial position • that of your family or close friends • that of a club or society in which you have a management role • that of another public body of which you are a member to a greater extent than others in your ward.
If that is the case then you must declare an interest but can speak and vote on the matter.
4. To receive any items of business which the Chairman decides should be considered as a matter of urgency
5. To Receive the Reports of the Area Museums Committees
(A) Breckland (Page13 )
(B) Great Yarmouth (Page 23)
(C) King’s Lynn and West Norfolk (Page 27)
(D) Norwich (verbal report)
(E) North Norfolk (Page 36)
3 6 Norfolk Museums Service – Integrated Finance and Risk Monitoring (Page 40 ) Report for 2014/15
Report by Interim Director of Environment, Transport and Development
7. Norfolk Museums Service– Performance & Strategic Update Report (Page 48 )
Report by Head of Museums
Note: This item will include a presentation by Jo Warr, Head of Development, on the proposed Arts Council England budgets for 2015-18.
8. The Development of the Medieval Keep at Norwich Castle. (Page 58 )
Report by Head of Museums
Note : This item will include a presentation by Dr John Davies, Chief Curator.
Group Meeting
Conservative 1 pm Colman Room
Chris Walton Head of Democratic Services County Hall Martineau Lane Norwich NR1 2DH
Date Agenda Published: 20 November 2014
If you need this document in large print, audio, Braille, alternative format or in a different language please contact Catherine Wilkinson on 0344 800 8020 or 0344 800 8011 (textphone) and we will do our best to help.
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NORFOLK JOINT MUSEUMS COMMITTEE
Minutes of the Meeting Held at County Hall, Norwich on 27 June 2014 at 2.00pm
Present:
Norfolk County Council Norwich City Council Mrs J Brociek-Coulton Mr D Bradford Mr H Humphrey Mr B Price Mr A Dearnley (substitute for Mrs E Morgan) Mr J Joyce Mr M Kiddle-Morris Borough Council of King’s Lynn Mr R Parkinson-Hare and West Norfolk Mr M Storey Mr E Nockolds Mr J Ward (elected Chairman during the Meeting) Mrs M Wilkinson Broadland District Council Mr J W Bracey Breckland District Council Mr P J Duigan Great Yarmouth Borough Council South Norfolk District Council Mrs K S Robinson-Payne Dr C Kemp
North Norfolk District Council Mr G Williams
Co-opted Member (Non-Voting)
Museum Friends Mr J Knight
1 Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received from Mr E Morgan and Mrs S Button.
2 Election of Chairman
Resolved (unanimously)
That Mr J Ward be elected Chairman of the Joint Committee for the ensuing year.
(Mr J Ward in the Chair).
The Chairman welcomed to the meeting those Members who were attending their first meeting of the Joint Committee.
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3 Election of Vic-Chairman
Resolved (unanimously)
That Mr J W Bracey be elected Vice-Chairman of the Joint Committee for the ensuing year.
4 Minutes
The minutes of the previous meeting held on 25 April 2014 were confirmed by the Joint Committee and signed by the Chairman.
5 Declarations of Interest
There were no declarations of interest.
6 Matters of Urgent Business
There were no matters of urgent business.
7 Political Representation on the Joint Museums Committee – Appointment to Sub-Committee for 2014/15
The annexed report (7) by the Secretary of the Joint Committee was received.
Members received a report that set out the political representation on the Joint Committee and asked for appointments to be made to the Accounts Approval and Urgent Business Sub-Committee for 2014/15.
Resolved –
(a) To agree that the political composition of the Joint Museums Accounts Approval and Urgent Business Sub-Committee for 2014/15 be as follows:
Conservative 4 Labour 2 UKIP 1
(b) That the following Members be appointed to serve on the Joint Museums Accounts Approval and Urgent Business Sub-Committee for 2014/15:
Mr D Bradford (Labour) Mrs E Morgan (Green) Mr H Humphrey (Conservative) Dr C Kemp (Conservative) Mrs S Button (Labour) Mr J Ward (Conservative) Mr G Williams (Conservative)
8 To Receive Reports of Area Museums Committees
Great Yarmouth
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The annexed report of the Great Yarmouth Area Museums Committee meeting held on 12 June 2014 was presented by Mrs K Robinson-Payne.
The Joint Committee’s attention was drawn to a reception that would be held on the 14 July 2014 to mark the 10th Anniversary of the opening of Time and Tide Museum and to which all Members of the Area Museums Committee were invited to attend.
It was RESOLVED to note the report.
King’s Lynn and West Norfolk
The annexed report of the King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Area Museums Committee meeting held on 2 June 2014 was presented by Mrs E Nockolds.
In introducing the report, Mrs Nockolds said that the NMS was continuing to work with the Borough Council to support a bid for HLF Round 2 funding for the Stories of Lynn project, following bid submission in February 2014.She also said that the Lynn Museum had been nominated as one of 20 museums from 800 nominations for the Family Friendly Museum of the Year, as supported by the Telegraph newspaper. The next step in the process for this award was for a shortlist of six museums to be drawn up and for these to be visited in the summer. The results of this competition would be reported to the Area Committee.
It was RESOLVED to note the report and to place on record the Joint Committee’s thanks to the staff of the Lynn Museum for all the work that had led to the shortlisting of the museum in the Daily Telegraph competition.
Norwich
The annexed report of the Norwich Area Museums Committee meeting held on 17 June 2014 was presented by Mr D Bradford.
In introducing the report, Mr Bradford said that the Wonder of Birds exhibition, which combined art and natural history to explore the cultural impact of birds on humanity was proving to be a great success. The exhibition was at the Castle Museum until 14 September 2014
It was RESOLVED to note the report.
North Norfolk
A verbal report on the north Norfolk museums was given by Mr G Williams. Mr Williams said that he had recently been appointed as a Cabinet Member at North Norfolk District Council with responsibility for Leisure and Cultural Services and Customer Services. He said that he would be re-examining what should be included in the Service Level Agreement between the NMS and NNDC and the possibility of reintroducing an Area Committee or other similar arrangement for joint working between the NMS and the District Council that would be dependent on the financial constraints facing both organizations.
Members attention was drawn to comments by Mrs Morgan (who had given her
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apologies for the meeting) about the possible result of funding cuts to Cromer Museum by North Norfolk District Council, and if staff at the museum were to be consulted on possible ways of meeting the necessary savings. As it was possible that the proposals might involve reducing the museum's opening hours or changing the staffing structure, thus potentially affecting the service offered by the museum, Mrs Morgan had asked that the results of the consultation be brought to the Joint Committee before any decision was made. In reply, the Head of Museums said that whilst the situation at Cromer Museum was essentially an operational and financial matter and, therefore, was a delegated responsibility, that the results of the staff consultation would be discussed with Mr Williams as the relevant JMC representative and with the Chairman. The Joint Committee would be kept informed about all material developments. It was RESOLVED to note the verbal report.
9 Annual Internal Audit Report 2013/14
The annexed report (9) by the Head of Finance was received.
Resolved- That the Joint Museums Committee approve the Annual internal Audit Report 2013-14 (Appendix A to the report) and the key messages that:
based on this report the Interim Head of Finance could assure the Committee that the adequacy and effectiveness of the systems of internal control including the arrangements for the management of risk during 2013-14 was acceptable and was therefore considered sound;
internal audit was adequate and effective during 2013-14; and
the work of Norfolk Audit Services for the year and the assurance provided assisted the Committee to reasonably assess the risk that the Financial Statements were not materially mis-stated due to fraud. The risks of Fraud and Corruption had been reviewed and planning and resources were considered adequate.
10 Norfolk Joint Museums Service – Integrated Finance and Risk Monitoring Report for 2013/14
The annexed report (10) by the Head of Museums was received.
Members received a report that (based on budget out-turns as at 31st March 2014) covered progress with the NMS revenue budget for 2013/14, reserves and provisions and the capital programme, and the revenue budget for 2014/15. The report also provided the Committee with an update on progress with the management of risk within the NMS.
During discussion, the following key points were noted:
• The Joint Committee was pleased to note that there had been a surplus of £0.053m from Admissions Income in 2013/14 which reflected an overall 11%
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increase on Admissions Income compared to 2012/13. • Elements of the income reserve were being used to cover the capital investment for the Commercial Business Plan which supported income generation targets for 2014/15. • The savings targets included in the Approved Budget for 2013/14 totalled £0.200m. This figure included grant funding from KLWNBC of £0.020m. • All risks within the NMS had been carefully assessed and were well managed.
Resolved to note –
(a) Progress with performance and service plans during 2013/14.
(b) Progress with the revenue budget, capital programme and reserves and provisions out – turn positions for 2013/14.
(c) Progress with the management of risk within the NMS.
11 Norfolk Museums Service – Performance & Strategic Update Report
The annexed report (11) by the Head of Museums was received.
The Joint Committee received a report that provided an update on performance against Norfolk Museums Service (NMS) service plans and included the Equalities Action Plan 2014-15. The report explained final performance statements for 2013/14 and early performance against the agreed service plan for 2014/15. The report also referred to future developments in the Service in meeting budgetary pressures and in responding to external opportunities in 2014/15.
During discussion, the following key points were noted:
• There had been a surplus of £0.053m from Admissions Income in 2013/14 which reflected an overall 11% increase on Admissions Income compared to 2012/13. • The overall 6% increase in museum visits across all 10 NMS sites for the financial year 1 April 2013 – 31 March 2014 was the result of a very successful exhibitions and events programme, good school visit figures and a strong marketing performance. • The school visit figures were above the national average. Continuing pressure on the ability of schools to make external trips should be noted by the Committee. • Members placed on record their congratulations to Jamie Everitt on being recognised nationally by the Collections Trust as being the Collections Manager of the Year for the whole of the country. In addition, congratulations were due to Wayne Holland and Dayna Albright on being recognised nationally by the Collections Trust as runners up in the category of young collections manager of the year for their work on the Shine a Light project at Gressenhall last year. • Members also placed on record their appreciation to all the curatorial and other NMS staff who were associated with the success of the ‘Wonder of Birds’ exhibition at Norwich Castle and with the development work and planning for the ‘Voices from the Workhouse’ project at Gressenhall Rural Life Museum and Workhouse. • It was noted that positive progress was being made on the commercial targets
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that were set out in the business plan for 2012-15. • It was pointed out that the NMS had launched a new online Collections Website that enabled access for both local and international audiences to key museum collections from across the Service as well as facilitating a number of exciting new partnerships including a project with Google. The NMS was the first regional museums partner that Google had agreed to work with in the UK. • It was essential for NMS to submit updated strategies, policies and governance statements for Arts Council England’s Accreditation assessment which would be submitted in the autumn. The NMS was putting forward for continuing Accreditation for all of its sites except Lynn Museum, Cromer Museum and Ancient House Museum which were Accredited in 2012. It was noted that Accreditation looked at every part of a museum including its governance, its financial sustainability, its learning programmes and how well it looked after the collections in its care. • It was noted that NMS had put together an outline timescale for the review and update of the Joint Museums Agreement during the summer and autumn and for ensuring that the individual service level agreements were fit for purpose for the future. To that end, the Head of Museums said that he would contact JMC Members to seek their guidance on the best way to obtain the views of their respective Councils on the renewal of the Museums Agreement.
Resolved –
That the Joint Committee:
Note progress with performance against 2013/14 service plans;
Approve the Governance statement for Arts Council England’s Accreditation assessment and the Equalities Action Plan 2014-15, as set out in Appendices A and B to the report;
Note the timescale for obtaining Arts Council England’s Accreditation assessment and approve the updated strategies, policies and governance statements that will be submitted as part of the NMS Accreditation assessment in the autumn (including those in respect of the NMAS Collections Management Strategy mentioned at minute 12 below).
Note the timetable for the review and update of the Joint Museums Agreement.
12 NMS Collections Management Strategy
The annexed report (12) by the Head of Museums was received. This report presented the NMS Collections Management Strategy which comprised of three documents previously submitted separately as part of the Accreditation process: • Collections Development Policy (formerly the Acquisition & Disposal Policy) • Documentation Policy (updated from the policy approved by JMAC in 2012) • Collections Care & Conservation Policy (updated from the policy approved by JMAC in 2007)
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Resolved –
That the NMS Collections Management Strategy be agreed as set out in the report for inclusion in the NMS Accreditation application.
13 The Royal Norfolk Regimental Museum
Members received detailed presentations from Kate Thaxton, Regimental Curator with NMS and from Brigadier Max Mariner, Chairman of the Trustees of the Royal Norfolk Regimental Museum, about the work that was being undertaken on the collection and the need for an updated partnership agreement between the County Council and the Regimental Museum Trustees. A copy of the current agreement between the Trustees and the County Council which had been completed in 1990 was included with the agenda papers.
The presentation from NMS referred to the “Letters Home’ First World War Centenary HLF Grant, £75,700” which included the following: New permanent display based on letters and sketches of Cecil Upcher Two temporary displays: ‘Letters Home’ & Edith Cavell First World War Research Support Service and Resource packs, developed with NRO and Heritage Library Material for the Norfolk in World War One website and blog New touch screen interpretation for Norwich Roll of Honour Traineeship for one Year Family event at the Castle in November Material for school workshops building on collaboration with Theatre Royal Norfolk Regiment First World War Casualty and Sickness Book.
The presentation by Brigadier Max Mariner, Chairman of the Trustees of the Royal Norfolk Regimental Museum, explained why it was important for the Trustees to enter into a new and updated legal agreement with the County Council.
The Chairman thanked Kate Thaxton and Brigadier Max Mariner for their very interesting presentation.
It was then RESOLVED (unanimously)-
That the Joint Committee fully support the joint work of NMS with the Royal Norfolk Regimental Trustees and ask that the County Council renew the legal agreement with the Regimental Trustees for the preservation and display of the Royal Norfolk Regimental Collection.
The meeting concluded at 4pm.
Chairman
If you need these minutes in large print, audio, Braille, alternative format or in a different language please contact Tim Shaw on 0344 8008020 or 0344 8008011 (textphone) and we will do our best to help.
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BRECKLAND COUNCIL
At a Meeting of the
BRECKLAND AREA MUSEUMS COMMITTEE
Held on Thursday, 16 October 2014 at 1.00 pm in The Council Chamber, Thetford Town Council, King's House, King Street, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2AP
PRESENT Mr P.J. Duigan Mrs P.A. Spencer Mr P R W Darby Mr M.A. Kiddle-Morris Mrs B Canham Mr P Smyth Mr R.G. Kybird
In Attendance Mr Oliver Bone - Curator of the Ancient House, Museum of Thetford Life Dr Robin Hanley - Western Area Manager Julie Britton - Senior Democratic Services Officer David Blackburn - Co-optee John Waple - Charles Burrell Museum Tabitha Runacres - Trainee Emily Shepperson - Trainee
Action By 16/14 MINUTES (AGENDA ITEM 1)
The Minutes of the meeting held on 10 July 2014 were confirmed as a correct record, subject to noting that it was Robin Hanley who had the title of PHD and not Oliver Bone.
17/14 APOLOGIES (AGENDA ITEM 2)
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Hebborn and Richmond, Mr S Miller, Head of Museums and Mr M Oakes, Friends of the Ancient House Museum.
18/14 CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS (AGENDA ITEM 3)
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
19/14 URGENT BUSINESS (AGENDA ITEM 4)
In the light of proposed budget cuts to local museums, the Chairman proposed that this matter be discussed under urgent business.
The first details of how the latest round of budget cuts at Norfolk County Council could hit cultural services in the region had been revealed. Norfolk County Council was facing a £13m budget shortfall in 2015-16 and the £900,000 contribution from areas such as museums, libraries and arts would be considered by Councillors at a meeting being held on Tuesday, 21
1 13 Breckland Area Museums Committee 16 October 2014
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October 2014.
The report due included proposals for increasing income from museums such as introducing car parking charges at the Gressenhall Farm & Workhouse Museums and charging for entry to the Ancient House Museum during the winter months.
As this affected the Breckland Area Museums Committee, the Chairman felt that this would be the only opportunity to discuss these matters prior to the NCC meeting next week.
Councillor Paul Smyth, the Chairman of the NCC Communities Committee was in attendance.
Dr Robin Hanley stated that all curators were required to look at options for saving money and generating income and a report had already been prepared for the Communities meeting next week. He pointed out that there were a number of Museums that already charged for parking and his proposal going forward was to introduce a modest charge at Gressenhall. Card Pass Holders would not be charged which was in line with the National Trust. He felt that this could provide an additional incentive for those who visited the Museum quite regularly to invest in an annual pass. Pay and display machines would be located in the front car park consisting of a minimal monitoring regime. Members were informed that Ironbridge Museum had recently introduced car parking charges as well as an entrance fee and a decrease in footfall had not been noticed.
Dr Robin Hanley said that he was mindful of the implications of those people trying to avoid paying to park such as parking elsewhere on other roads but he was aware that most people who visited the Museum visited for half a day or a full day and would not mind paying a nominal fee. The detail still had to be worked out.
The Ancient House Museum currently offered free admission to visitors from October to March the same as Kings Lynn; however, for this particular Museum there was a funding agreement in place to cover lost income; unfortunately, Ancient House did not have such an agreement in place. He felt that this could be a barrier to potential visitors but there would be some flexibility in place for certain visitors such as various groups/parties. There was also an opportunity to introduce a Museum Pass. The Ancient House Museum needed to concentrate on increasing visitor numbers and retail sales. Mr Blackburn from the Charles Burrell Museum asked what proportion of the £88,000 was the Museums budget. Members were informed that the budget was made up of Norfolk County Council funding and Arts Councils funding around £4m; therefore, the proportion was about 2%.
Dr Robin Hanley felt it was only reasonable that every site looked at what it could do to save money and increase its visitors.
In response to a concern in relation to the Friends of Ancient House, a registered charity who enjoyed supporting the activities of the Museum, Members were advised that there would be an opportunity for people to join the Friends membership which would allow free entry.
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Councillor Kybird felt that £3k was too much for Ancient House to achieve in the winter months.
Councillor Kiddle-Morris pointed out that Gressenhall would become the first pay and display car park in Breckland. He referred to the field that was used as an overspill car park for events and asked how this would be monitored if the machine was just being located at the front. He also asked about capital costs. Dr Robin Hanley said that he would be looking at other attractions that charged for events on fields where car parking attendants had been used to collect a nominal charge. A couple of operational models needed to be put in place. The Chairman mentioned the practicalities of the introduction of car parking charges as Pass Holders who would not need to pay would need some form of identification displayed in their cars such as a sticker. Members were informed that the National Trust already posted out mailings to their members and this would be the point when the car park display tickets could be issued. The Chairman thought that a Museums Pass for Thetford would not be as good as a Museum Pass for Dereham or Norwich as there were limited bus services available from Thetford. Dr Robin Hanley advised that he was looking to review the whole Pass offer. It could be classed as a discount scheme or a membership offering people more than just entry reduction. Members were already being offered a little more at Gressenhall; for Thetford it would be more about the Friends Membership.
The Chairman asked if Members had any concerns that they wished to raise with Councillor Smyth. It was suggested that Dr Robin Hanley should look at what other Museums were doing outside of Breckland. In response, Members were assured that all other Museums were being looked at; the pain was equally being shared across the service.
Councillor Smyth said that he would be looking at a number of options and proposals and a number of efficiencies had already been found. A further constraint however, was that Norfolk County Council had to save a further £209m from 2015 to 2020 and there were some areas that could not sustain any further cuts; it was gloomy news and would be regardless of what happened in next year’s Elections. 20/14 DECLARATION OF INTERESTS (ITEM 5)
None.
21/14 GRESSENHALL FARM & WORKHOUSE (AGENDA ITEM 6)
Dr Robin Hanley presented the report that covered the summer months from July to September 2014 which had been one of the busiest periods for Gressenhall.
Events and Activities
During the 2014 season Gressenhall had continued to offer a broad programme of events, based around three operational models:
• Main event days – major events such as Apple Day with a full event staffing establishment including the use of parking fields. Free to
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Museum Pass Holders. • Days with a Difference – smaller themed event days such as Horse Power requiring a smaller staffing complement and utilising core parking. Also free to Pass Holders. • Ticketed Events – pre-booked and pre-paid events such as Ghostly Gressenhall. Reduced charge for Pass Holders.
The costs of delivering and marketing the Gressenhall event programme continued to be subsidised with funding from the Arts Council England (ACE).
On 26 July, Gressenhall worked in partnership with Breckland Council to deliver the third Festival on the Farm. This successful family focused event day attracted over 1500 visitors. Both Gressenhall staff and Breckland staff had worked well together.
The main event Village at War ran over two days of the August bank Holiday weekend and marked the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War. This event featured a World War One home front theme on the farm, including a period Girl Guide camp and displays from the Royal Norfolk Regiment Living History Group. The Museum also featured the traditional World War Two home front theme. Despite very wet weather attendances reached over 3,000 across the two days. This year’s flypast by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight was performed by a Dakota, the first time this addition to the Flight had visited Gressenhall. It was a real spectacle to watch. To help promote the Village at War event, members of the Royal Norfolk Regiment Living History Group paraded in Dereham Market Place, where they were all inspected by the Mayor of Dereham. This made excellent media coverage (the press coverage was circulated).
Gressenhall once again supported the National Heritage Open Days (HOD) programme and all tours were fully booked and represented the largest total for a HOD event to date. The programme included tours of the recently re- organised Norfolk Collections Centre stores. The final event of the year and normally the biggest was Apple Day which was being held on Sunday 19 October 2014. This event would be delivered in partnership with the East of England Apple & Orchard Project.
In advance of the schools breaking up, leaflets had been distributed to schools about the activities at the Museum during the summer holidays. The same had been done for Thetford.
On Monday, 20 October, an events review meeting was being held providing staff volunteers and freelancers with an opportunity to review and evaluate the 2014 event programme and begin the process of shaping the programme for 2015.
Other Museum Developments
Phase 1 of the Shine a Light project funded the Esmee Fairbairn Collections Fund had been completed. £90,000 had been allocated to this project.
As part of an ongoing review of social history collections and under the
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Action By terms of the agreed strategy, it was being recommended to transfer the Diss Pipe Hoard collection from Gressenhall to the Diss Museum.
RESOLVED that the Breckland Area Museums Committee supports the proposed dispersal of the Diss Pipe Hoard collection to the Diss Museum, subject to the approval of the Joint Museums Committee.
The Round 2 Heritage Grant application to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the Voices from the Workshop project had been submitted to the HLF in July 2014. A pre-assessment visit from the HLF had just taken place and the project would be debated at its meeting at the end of November. The outcome of this application was expected in December 2014. The Friends of Gressenhall had confirmed their support for the project with a match funding pledge of £20,000. The match funding bid for £20,000 to Breckland Council had also been successful of which the Museum was very grateful. Members would be provided with an update of the outcome as soon as possible and hopefully it would be good news.
Gressenhall continued to maintain its strong social networking presence with active and growing profiles on Twitter and Facebook. At the end of August the Museum had over 2,500 followers on Twitter and over 1,200 on Facebook. Gressenhall had recently been awarded an excellence rating on Trip Advisor.
The new traditional oak-framed building, Keppel’s Lodge located adjacent to the event day parking fields had been successfully operating on major event days during the 2014 season. The building had been funded through NCC capital development programme and provided new toilet facilities which had pleased the visitors.
Gressenhall also continued to develop a range of commercial activities as a means of generating further income. One of the current priorities was to develop a site appropriate for weddings; this wedding offer was in the process of being refined. The Chapel and the Board Room had been given the green light for holding civil ceremonies. Room hire was also being promoted for birthday parties etc. Dr Hanley said that he was trying to promote every part of the site in the best way he could.
Friends and Volunteers
The Friends continued to support a range of activities across the site.
The Curator had co-ordinated, managed and developed the volunteer teams at Gressenhall. Around 120/130 continued to be active on the site, organised into a number of specialist teams.
Dr Robin Hanley said that Gressenhall could not operate without the Friends or the volunteers.
Learning and Outreach
The award winning Gressenhall Learning Team continued to deliver a broad and varied programme to children and young people at pre schools. The Team had developed and delivered a new session for Key Stage 2
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children exploring aspects of Neolithic Britain, a key part of the new national curriculum for primary age children. Almost 1,000 children had booked to take part in this active day in which they hunted for animals in the woods and used replica Neolithic tools of flint, stone and wood. Dr Hanley was confident that the Museum could retain schools for the future.
School numbers remained strong across the summer term with a good level of bookings across the autumn term.
The HLF Skills for the Future training project was continuing to run at Gressenhall, in partnership with the Museum of East Anglia Life and had done what the Museum had hoped. Members’ attention was drawn to the Executive summary on page 6 of the pamphlet that was circulated at the meeting.
Gressenhall also continued to host a traineeship delivered as part of the NMS Teaching Museum programme. Events trainee Charlotte Billingham had supported the development and delivery of the Gressenhall events programme. Trainees Tabitha Runacres and Emily Shepperson were in attendance and would be providing Members with a brief overview of what each of them had been doing at the Museum.
Gressenhall continued to be registered with NCC as a Care Farm. The site was currently offering funded work-based placements to a number of adults with learning difficulties, many of whom worked at the Museum on a regular basis.
Visitor Numbers
A paper highlighting visitor numbers by Museum and County for 2014/15 was circulated which suggested that Gressenhall should reach a total of 65,000 visitors by the end of the year to March 2015. There had been a dip in visitor numbers in August due to the weather.
22/14 ANCIENT HOUSE MUSEUM OF THETFORD LIFE (AGENDA ITEM 7)
Oliver Bone provided the Committee with an update of the events and activities that had taken place at the Ancient House Museum from June to September 2014.
Thetford and the First World War Exhibition
A Role of Honour for Thetford was circulated with conscripts dating from 1915; gaps had been left so that others could be added. This particular one came from St Cuthberts Church.
A local photographer had managed to digitalise slides belonging to the magic lantern. The photographs were circulated. A card had also been restored with funding awarded to the Museum and this was circulated too.
The Museum display made use of the old kitchen and included a figure made by sculptor Dr Phillips representing Leonard Newton, a casualty of the war who once lived in Ancient House. He joined the army in 1914 and was killed at Ypres in 1915. Museum staff recently found out that Private
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Newton had been remembered at the Hooge Crater Museum at Ypres with a display of his cap badge and memorial plaque.
On the 11th November 2014, the exhibition would be enhanced with the opening of its second part of the display using the Museum’s exhibitions room. On display would be objects and photographs to tell some of the local First World War stories including the experience of teenager Florrie Clark who took over from her father as town crier and bill poster when he went off to fight in 1916. The exhibition would run until November 2015.
A book was being published on the First World War Experience and would be on sale at the Museum.
Museum staff had also produced pop-up display panels for visitors to see at the town’s Dad’s Army Museum and Charles Burrell Museum.
All the Fun of the Fete – Thetford Festival Finale Event
Oliver Bone conveyed his thanks to Thetford Town Council for allowing this event to be held in the King’s House Gardens. The traditional garden fete was themed on the eve of the First World War including games, afternoon teas, an allotment show and a re-enactment of enlisting members of the public to join up which included a practice drill. The event had been well received and more than 1,400 people had attended.
Art Exhibition
The art exhibition took place in St Peters Church in the town and had been a great success.
The Museum was looking forward to the publication of a new book called “A Small Fragment of the Great War”. The cover was circulated.
Toys and Games
The popular I Love Toys and Games exhibition had been extended until the end of the school half term period and would now close on 25 October 2014.
Events
The Museum delivered a range of activities for children and families over the summer including a programme of engaging museum trails. A loyalty scheme card proved a popular way for families to be able to experience a repeat visit.
Social Media
A strong social media presence remained for the Ancient House on Twitter and Facebook. The Museum had already received favourable reviews on Trip Advisor.
Arts Award Work
7 19 Breckland Area Museums Committee 16 October 2014
Action By
Ancient House had been selected as one of 19 Arts Award venues across the UK as a Centre of Good Practice. Melissa Hawker, Learning Officer led on the Arts Award work and her commitment to the scheme had been recognised by the announcement that Ancient House was the only Museum in the country that had been given this accolade. This had encouraged media interest and had appeared on the front page of the local press.
Loan to Norwich castle Exhibition Wonder of Birds
The Ancient House had a collection of Victorian taxidermy, mostly donated in the early 20th century. Amongst these were some specimens mounted as game trophies in oval frames and one of these had been lent to the major summer exhibition at Norwich castle. The Wonder of Birds would be returning to Ancient House shortly.
Japanese Cultural Exchange and Breaking New Ground
The Museum was pleased to host a delegation from Nagawa, Japan in June 2014. This formed part of a cultural exchange between Thetford and Nagawa, a town in central Japan close to prehistoric obsidian mines. As part of the visit, a Friendship Agreement had been signed which should lead to joint working over the next few years. The Teenage History Club provided the visitors with a very good tour of the Museum and translation was provided.
Teaching Museum and Skills for the Future Trainee Schemes
Emily Shepperson and Tabitha Runacres would be explaining their training schemes later on in the agenda.
‘Connecting Cultures’ India Travel Grant from British Council
A member of the Museum Team had been awarded a travel grant from the British Council to travel to Northern India to make connections with heritage sites and museum collections. Opportunities around the interpretation of the Duleep Singh story would be explored. The visit was planned for spring 2015 and would last between a week and 10 days.
Friends and Volunteers
The Museum benefited from active volunteers, members of the Friends Group had been very helpful.
Visitor Numbers
Ancient House visitor figures for 2014/15 were looking good; thus far, over 4,700 people had visited the Museum between April and September. This was a good testament for all involved.
23/14 PRESENTATION BY EMILY SHEPPERSON AND TABITHA RUNACRES (AGENDA ITEM 8)
Emily Shepperson and Tabitha Runacres both provided the Committee with a detailed overview of what they did at the Museum. Emily was currently on
8 20 Breckland Area Museums Committee 16 October 2014
Action By
a Teaching Museums scheme that offered an apprenticeship and she worked 4 days a week with one day off a week for training. The training covered collections care, conservation, museum management and a museum as a business. There were currently 8 trainees on this particular scheme covering all sites. All kept learning logs to keep track of what each person was doing. Emily had been working on the Trails Programme at Ancient House and the loyalty card. She had thoroughly enjoyed delivering some of the training and she was now getting an idea of what a museum curator actually did.
Tabitha was a Heritage Learning trainee in relation to the Skills for the Future scheme. There were 10 such trainees based at Gressenhall Museum but her time was based half in the Ancient House Museum and half in the Fens. She explained the different activities that she had been involved in such as the Teenage History Club which she planned and delivered and incorporated the history of the destruction of Thetford castle.
Members were very impressed with what they had heard and thanked both Emily and Tabitha for attending the meeting.
24/14 CHARLES BURRELL MUSEUM, THETFORD (AGENDA ITEM 9)
John Waple, the Curator of Charles Burrell Museum in Thetford was in attendance. Charles Burrell was the company of Thetford for many years.
Twenty volunteers had managed to work on 3 steam engines of which all had been involved in a tour of the UK. One of the engines, called ‘Old Glory’ ended up in a magazine; apparently, it had been found that people had been looking for this one engine and a plaque was officially presented to the Museum earlier in the year. All three engines were present at the Weeting Steam Rally and this was the first time that they had all been seen on a field together.
An apprentice day had taken place for youngsters wanting to learn to drive such engines.
Mr Waple said that he had been very pleased with the visitor figures this year and even though entry was free, the Museum had managed to bank over £2.5k from donations etc.
A Trustee meeting had been held earlier in the year at the Thomas Paine Hotel. Mr Waple stated that the meeting had been rather awkward to start with but the air had been cleared and now he had been invited to all Trustees meetings in future.
The Museum building would be tidied up during the winter months whilst closed.
The Museum was now storing Jack Jones’ Butchers van for the Dad’s Army Museums as it did not have room. All Museums worked very closely together and all were pleased to help each other out.
Most visitors were real steam enthusiasts and many frequented from far flung parts of the world to visit the Museum.
9 21 Breckland Area Museums Committee 16 October 2014
Action By
An archive had been based at Thetford Town Council and the owners of Thomas Paine Hotel had pictures of the Charles Burrell’s engines.
24 November 2014 was closure day for the winter season but all three engines would still be out and about on the road.
The Chairman thanked Mr Waple for his update.
25/14 NEXT MEETING (AGENDA ITEM 10)
Councillor Darby suggested having the next meeting in Swaffham and combining the meeting with a tour of the Museum.
It was agreed that the next meeting would be held in February 2015. Date to be confirmed.
The meeting closed at 2.55 pm
CHAIRMAN
10 22
LARGER PRINT COPY AVAILABLE PLEASE TELEPHONE: 01493 846325
GREAT YARMOUTH AREA MUSEUMS COMMITTEE
7 November 2014 – 10.00 am
PRESENT: Councillor Robinson-Payne (in the Chair), Councillors Collins, Connell, Cutting, Jeal, Peck and Williamson.
Councillors Parkinson-Hare and Childs (Norfolk County Council).
Mr J Steward (Eastern Area Manager – Norfolk Museums Service) and Mr R Hodds (Cabinet Secretary, GYBC).
1. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest.
2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
There were no apologies for absence.
3. MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on the 12 June 2014 were confirmed.
4. EASTERN AREA MANAGER’S REPORT
The Committee considered the Eastern Area Manager’s Report on Great Yarmouth Museums for the period June – September 2014.
The Eastern Area Manager reported in detail on the following issues in his report:-
• Visitor Figures
• Heritage Open Days 2014
• Major Partner Museum – Arts Council England
• Museum Development in the Region
• Museum Accreditation
23 Great Yarmouth Area Museums Committee 7 November 2014
• Great Yarmouth Heritage Voucher Scheme
The Committee discussed the merits of continuing with the Heritage Voucher Scheme and received details of how widely used this scheme had been throughout the Borough. The Eastern Area Manager reported that the Norfolk Museums Service intended to review the operation of this scheme. The Eastern Area Manager recorded his thanks and appreciation to Councillor Jeal for his assistance on this matter. Members also discussed the possibility of including further information in the “What’s On” publication and to also look at the marketing of museums in the Borough which would be the subject of discussion at a meeting to consider the Heritage Strategy for the Borough next Friday.
• Norfolk Museums Service – Visitor Survey
The Eastern Area Manager confirmed that the attendance figures of the Great Yarmouth museums compared favourably with other museums throughout the county.
• Tenth Anniversary
• Great Yarmouth Museums and Social Media
• Youth Engagement
• World War One Commemoration and Appleton Painting Acquisition
• Schools
The Chairman recorded her congratulations to the Great Yarmouth museums on being awarded the prestigious Sandford Award for Museum Education.
• Temporary Exhibitions
• Museum Storage and Rationalisation
The Committee considered a tabled report from the Eastern Area Manager which gave details of the rationalisation programme whose aim was to review the collection storage and documentation needs and to assess their future significance and merit for re-display and general museum usage including suitability for handling collections and learning resources for work with schools. The Eastern Area Manager reported that those that are not suitable for future display or study will need to be found alternative homes whilst the Museum Service improve the documentation of retained collections. A number of artefacts had been identified as suitable for rationalisation from the permanent collection held at Great Yarmouth and Members of the Area Museums Committee were asked to give their consideration for approval of the actions recommended in the Eastern Area Manager’s report.
• Signage
The Committee discussed the merits of improving the current signage for museums in the Borough. Councillor Williamson reported that a heritage trail map was currently being considered for all sites in Great Yarmouth to which the museums’ locations could be included.
24 Great Yarmouth Area Museums Committee 7 November 2014
RESOLVED: (i) That the Eastern Area Manager’s report for the period June – September 2014 be received. (ii) That the County Joint Museums Committee be advised that the Great Yarmouth Area Museums Committee approve the proposals for museum storage and rationalisation proposals as detailed in the Eastern Area Manager’s report. (iii) That the Eastern Area Manager be requested to update the Area Museums Committee at a future meeting on the outcome of the rationalisation proposals.
5. GREAT YARMOUTH PRESERVATION TRUST UPDATE
The Committee received for information the Conservation Officer’s report on the Great Yarmouth Preservation Trust Update in respect of the following:-
• 133 King Street
• 135 King Street
• The Cemeteries Project
• Hopton Ruin Church
• Town Wall Towers
• Vauxhall Bridge
• International Collaboration
• St Johns Church
6. HERITAGE STRATEGY UPDATE
Councillor Williamson reported that a Strategy Stakeholders Meeting would be held at the Town Hall on Friday 14 November to consider the following in respect of the Heritage Strategy:-
• To gather feedback on the two documents – Cultural Heritage Strategy and Branding Workshop Report
• Taking the Strategy forward in terms of governance structures and terms of reference.
Members were advised that hard copies of the Cultural Heritage Strategy report were available from the Borough Council’s Group Manager (Tourism).
7. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The Chairman advised Members that the next meeting of the Committee would be held in mid January 2015, date to be advised to Members.
25 Great Yarmouth Area Museums Committee 7 November 2014
8. CLOSURE OF MEETING
The meeting ended at 11.00 am.
26
NORFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL
BOROUGH COUNCIL OF KING’S LYNN AND WEST NORFOLK
KING’S LYNN AND WEST NORFOLK AREA MUSEUMS COMMITTEE
Notes of a meeting of the above Committee held on Monday 27 October 2014 at 2.15 pm in the Committee Suite, King’s Court, Chapel Street, King’s Lynn
PRESENT:
Councillor Mrs E A Nockolds - Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk (Chairman) Councillor M Back - Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk Councillor A Tyler - Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk Councillor A J Wright - Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk Councillor Mrs A Wright - Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk County Councillor M Chenery - Norfolk County Council County Councillor D Collis - Norfolk County Council County Councillor H Humphrey - Norfolk County Council (Vice-Chairman) County Councillor J Perkins - Norfolk County Council County Councillor J Ward - Chairman of Joint Museums Committee Dr R Hanley - Norfolk Museums Service Wendy Vincent - Democratic Services Officer, Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk
1 SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDER 36 – RECORDING OR BROADCASTING OF MEETINGS
RESOLVED: In order to comply with Statutory Instrument 2014 no 2095, The Openness of Local Government Bodies Regulations 2011, Standing Order 36 is suspended for the duration of the meeting.
2 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from County Councillor S Agnew, Councillor J Bracey, Lindsey Bavin and Mr S Miller.
3 MINUTES
The notes of the meeting held on 2 June 2014 were agreed as a correct record.
4 MATTERS ARISING
County Councillor H Humphrey referred to page 7, paragraph 3 and queried whether the reference to the monthly Planning Committee meeting should read “County Council Planning Committee”. In response, the Chairman, Councillor Mrs Nockolds explained that if the King’s Lynn and West Norfolk - 1 -
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Area Museums Committee coincided with any other meetings, then the representative could either join meeting later than the scheduled start time or arrange for a substitute.
5 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were none.
6 REPORT OF WESTERN AREA MANAGER
King’s Lynn Museums Report – May to September 2014
The Western Area Manager presented the report which provided Members with information on King’s Lynn Museums for the period May to September 2014 as set out below:
(i) Temporary Exhibitions and Events at Lynn Museum
The major temporary exhibition for 2014 was 1914-2014: King’s Lynn and the First World War. This exhibition opened on 9 August 2014 and would run until 6 June 2015. Marking the centenary of the outbreak of the Great War, the exhibition explored the town’s experience, including damage caused by Zeppelin raids, the Home Front and the role that local businesses played in the war effort. The exhibition featured a broad range of collections including costume, ephemera and Zeppelin fragments.
A small travelling version of this World War One exhibition had been created and was being loaned to a number of community venues including Hanse House and schools and other community venues in Upwell and Emneth.
The next major exhibition at Lynn Museum would explore the life and work of Frederick Savage. This exhibition would open in July 2015 and would tell the story of King’s Lynn’s iconic creator of merry-go-rounds – including a close look at the art, craft and design of the fairground.
Lynn Museum supported the nationwide Heritage Open Day programme organised by the King’s Lynn Civic Society on Sunday 14 September, offering free admission. There were 757 visitors during the day (400 visitors in 2013).
An enhanced programme of informal family learning events continued to be offered at the Lynn Museum. The family events taking place during the summer holidays were promoted through a Summer Holidays Events colour flyer distributed to all local schools prior to the end of the summer term. Recent ‘drop-in’ events have included:
• The Wild Fens – 24 May – 36 participants • Pirates Ahoy! – 27 May – 129 participants • Ancient Egyptians – 29 July – 170 participants • Let’s Play – Toys & Games – 5 August – 95 participants • Monster Mammoths – 12 August – 201 participants • 1914: Lynn Goes to War – 19 August – 92 participants • Rediscover the Romans – 26 August – 91 participants • Brilliant Bronze Age – 2 September – 66 participants. - 2 -
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During the school summer holidays the Lynn Museum ran a Summer Time Trails programme comprising eight free themed gallery discovery trails including Hidden Egyptians, Dinosaur Detectives and Remembering World War One. Families that completed six trails were invited to attend a Tea Party on 20 September. Over the course of the summer 646 visitors took part in the trails, with 26 attending the Tea Party celebration.
The Lynn Museum hosted a Macmillan Coffee Morning on 26 September 2014, with 39 participants. Future coffee morning style events would focus on exploring different aspects of the collections.
(ii) Other Museum Developments
The refresh of the main exhibition gallery at the Lynn Museum was largely complete, utilising funding from the ACE Major Partner Museum programme. The refresh had seen the displays enhanced with additional collections, including recent acquisitions and material from the former Town House Museum including Civil War collections and medieval pilgrim badges. The improvements had been designed and delivered by the NMS in-house design and technical team.
The Lynn Museum continued to develop its social media presence, with Twitter and Facebook accounts maintained by staff. To the end of August the Lynn Museum had 131 Facebook and 729 Twitter followers.
A team of nine collection volunteers continued to meet on a weekly basis in the NMS offices at Queen Street, supervised by Teaching Museum Trainee. Volunteers had continued with a programme of work involving the scanning and cataloguing of the print collections. Nearly one thousand prints by local artist Henry Baines had now been scanned and given enhanced catalogue entries. The team would next begin scanning the Walter Dexter print collection.
(iii) Friends of King’s Lynn Museums
The Friends were continuing to offer a varied programme for members including lunchtime talks, trips and an annual lecture. The Friends continued to support the afternoon talks programme being offered at the Lynn Museum during 2014.
The Friends were continuing to fund a programme of fine art conservation, with the latest two paintings about to undergo specialist conservation work. The Friends had also supported the purchase of a number of significant archaeological finds reported under the Treasure Act, including the recent acquisition of a Bronze Age “founders hoard” found near Docking.
The Friends Annual General Meeting took place on Monday 13 October 2014 at Lynn Museum and Bryan Howling was elected as Chairman.
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(iv) Partnerships
The Lynn Museum free admission period ran from October to March. The free admission period was provided under the terms of the Service Level Agreement (SLA) between the Borough Council and NMS.
NMS continued to support the Borough Council with the delivery of the HLF- funded Stories of Lynn project focussed on the Town Hall. As well as being part of the Project Steering Group and Project Board, NMS continued to lead on the development and delivery of the project Activity Plan and the development of exhibition designs and site interpretation.
The delivery of NMS services in King’s Lynn and West Norfolk continued to operate under the terms of the 2014-15 SLA with the Borough Council. Under an extension to this agreement, NMS continued to provide curatorial advice, support and an enquiry service for those Borough collections currently held in the Town Hall including fine art and Civic Regalia.
NMS staff supported the Georgian Lynn and the Brilliant Burney Family exhibition at the Custom House which opened on 6 June. . Learning Officer Melissa Hawker also supported the Burney festival by giving a talk at the Lynn Museum on 18 June on the subject of Fanny Burney and the 18th century novel.
NMS continued to lead the Greater Fens Museums Partnership through the development and delivery of the Heritage Lottery Fund-funded partnership project Fenland Lives and Land. The five exhibitions were co-produced by “clusters” of museums and community groups and were now touring a range of community venues across the Fens, including the Lynn Museum. The project team delivered a major programme of family activities at partner museum sites during the school summer holidays.
(v) Learning and Outreach
The Lynn Museum continued to host a 12 month Teaching Museum traineeship through the NMS Teaching Museum programme, funded by ACE as part of the 2012-15 Major Partner Museum ACE business plan. Current trainee Emily Shepperson was working as Curatorial Assistant for King’s Lynn and Thetford. Amongst a range of other activities, Emily had helped co- ordinate the summer trails programme, supervise collections, volunteers and schedule displays in the museum reception area.
Lynn Museum had continued to work with local schools to deliver a broad range of formal learning sessions. Following recent changes to the history National Curriculum, Lynn Museum was seeing an encouraging increase in bookings for the recently piloted Seahenge sessions for Keystages1 and 2.
School programmes exploring local heroes such as Frederick Savage had included sessions offering the Discover level Arts Award in a day. The Toys and Games session continued to be popular with local schools, despite the changes to the National Curriculum.
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NMS was continuing to deliver a broad programme of youth engagement activities, funded as part of the ACE Major Partner Business Plan 2012-15. The programme focused on development projects and engagement opportunities for young people.
(vi) Visitor Numbers
The visitor numbers by Museum and County total were tabled. It was noted that all Norfolk Museums had been included setting out the previous two years for comparison.
The Western Area Manager reported that the visitor numbers for the Lynn Museum was up on last year which was thought to be due to the improvements to the school holiday programme which included offers to local families. It was anticipated that by the end of the year, total visitor figures would be around 16,000. The Western Area Manager commented that the overall trend was progressing in the right direction and it was important to retain the high quality of exhibitions and to keep developing the school holiday programme.
The Chairman, Councillor Mrs Nockolds commented that it was important to keep the younger age group interested in museum activities and thanked the Western Area Manager for retaining the excellent standard of events at the Lynn Museum.
In response to questions from Councillor Chenery regarding the involvement of schools within the Borough, the Western Area Manager explained that the Museums Service worked with all local schools. However, he highlighted that the main users of the Lynn Museums were schools within walking distance.
Councillor Chenery asked if others schools such as Wells, Fakenham and Litcham could be included within the work carried out by the Museums Service. In response, the Western Area Manager explained that the Museums Service welcomed schools from any part of Norfolk and beyond. The Sea Henge display had attracted pupils from outside of Norfolk.
County Councillor Humphrey commented that the Frederick Savage exhibition in July 2015 would be interesting to children who would be aware of the carousel rides. The engineering patterns and other designs would also create interest and consideration would be required on how to present the information in an understandable format.
The Chairman, Councillor Mrs Nockolds informed the Committee that five circular benches had been commissioned through a local company depicting the Frederick Savage design which would be installed on the Tuesday Market Place.
The Western Area Manager advised that there was a working Savages carousel at Bressingham. Members were also reminded that previously the Committee had undertaken a tour of Aickman’s Yard where items relating to Savages fairground rides had been viewed.
In response to questions from Councillor Tyler regarding the National Curriculum, particularly relating to Key Stage 1 and 2, the Western Area - 5 -
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Manager outlined the changes and explained that historically the core subjects for Key Stage 1 and 2 had included the Victorians, Romans, Tudors, etc, but now children attending a primary school studied up to the period of 1066. He therefore added that the Tudor and Victorian activities no longer formed a significant element of study within primary schools which had presented a significant challenge to the Museums Service in that the programmed offered to schools had to be revised.
In response to a question from Councillor Mrs Wright relating to requests for Victorian Wash Day sessions, the Western Area Manager explained that time and travel costs could be barriers to schools making visits to the Lynn Museum, however, some schools were still interested in attending Victorian sessions following the changes made to the National Curriculum.
Following further questions from Councillor Mrs Wright regarding Key Stage 1 and 2, the Western Area Manager explained that this category of pupils studied the history period up to 1066, which included Romans, Anglo Saxons, Vikings and the Norman Conquest.
The Chairman, Councillor Mrs Nockolds commented that the Museums Services worked closely with schools. Flyers and email communications were sent out on a regular basis to schools reminding pupils of the activities arranged by the Museums Service. Officers within the Museums Service would liaise with schools when developing a new programme.
The Western Area Manager suggested that the Learning Officer be invited to attend the next meeting of the Committee to provide an update on the National Curriculum and the resulting learning programme changes for the Museums Service.
Councillor Tyler asked what services were provided for GCSE and A Level students. In response, the Western Area Manager explained that some museums like Gressenhall could cater for secondary schools. In the past, the Lynn Museum had hosted students studying for A level Archaeology who had visited the Sea Henge Gallery.
The Chairman, Councillor Mrs Nockolds informed the Committee that the Lynn Museum had supported the Heritage Open Day and there had been a significant increase in the number of visitors. The Lynn Museum would continue to support the Heritage Open Day in 2015 and would offer an enhanced level of activity.
County Councillor Ward commented on the feedback relating to twitter and social media and added that often when celebrities who had re-tweeted, there had been an increase in the number of followers. The Western Area Manager advised that there was a Digital Development Officer in Norwich who was developing social media followers.
The Chairman, Councillor Mrs Nockolds informed those present that “twitter” had been used to advertise themed coffee mornings which had been well attended. Councillor A Wright enquired what the Town House Museum space was now being used for. In response, the Western Area Manager explained that the Registrars Service now occupied the Ground Floor and other areas of the - 6 -
32 former Town House Museum. The Museums Office occupied accommodation on the first floor.
The Chairman, Councillor Mrs Nockolds enquired when the Bronze Age “founders hoard” would be displayed. In response, the Western Area Manager explained that the items would be shortly on display in a new case located in the Reception Area of the Lynn Museum. In the longer term, the Bronze Age collection would be located in a display case within the Sea Henge Gallery.
County Councillor D J Collis asked what the total current membership was for the Friends of King’s Lynn Museums. In response, the Western Area Manager commented that that the membership varied, but currently was in the region of between 70 – 80 people.
The Chairman, Councillor Mrs Nockolds referred to the cataloguing process and asked if postcards could be sold relating to the Baines and Dexter collections. In response, the Western Area Manager advised that all objects would be entered onto the database which would form the catalogue and be published and available to view on line. A new look website had been created by the Norfolk Museums Service which offered a search facility and members of the public could purchase high quality prints. The Western Area Manager explained that there was very little income from the sale of postcards so was therefore not deemed a viable item to sell.
The Chairman, Councillor Mrs Nockolds reminded the Committee that the Lynn Museum free admission period ran from October to March. The free admission period was provided under the terms of the Service Level Agreement (SLA) between the Borough Council and Norfolk Museums Service.
The Western Area Manager informed the Committee that a recent meeting had been held with the Lynn News, who had agreed to publish articles relating to different collections on a fortnightly basis. This arrangement would provide a good platform to promote the Lynn Museum.
Councillor Chenery referred to the BBC filming which would include the John King Cup. In response, the Western Area Manager explained that an interpretation of the King John Cup would be incorporated within the improvement works scheduled for the Town Hall. The Chairman, Councillor Mrs Nockolds added that the BBC were filming for a documentary programme and would include the Tuesday Market Place and the Town Hall.
Councillor Tyler made reference to paragraph 4.4 and the development of plans for enhanced interpretation at the South Gate and asked what the plans were to improve the presentation of the South Gate. In response, the Western Area Manager explained that the South Gate was open on Heritage Day and on a limited basis which depended upon volunteers to staff the building. The volunteers also provided a service for the Red Mount Chapel. The Chairman, Councillor Mrs Nockolds advised that a recent meeting had been held with the volunteers and they had expressed an interest in developing ideas to increase the number of visitors. The Western Area Manager explained that a modest HLF bid was being considered following liaison with the volunteers. - 7 -
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In response to questions from Councillor Tyler regarding the Georgian Lynn and the Burney Family exhibition at The Custom House, the Chairman, Councillor Mrs Nockolds undertook to obtain the visitor numbers and reply direct to Councillor Tyler.
The Western Area Manager explained that an approach had been made to the Lynn Museum to display collections at the South Gates. However, there was concern relating to the environment in that it would be damp and not secure. The Chairman, Councillor Mrs Nockolds advised that a number of new ideas for improved interpretation were currently being explored.
The Western Area Manager tabled an invitation to the Fen Youth Film Fest 2014 on the evening and afternoon of 18 November. The Committee had already been emailed the invitation. Any Member wishing to attend should reply to [email protected]. The Chairman, Councillor Mrs Nockolds commented that she hoped that the Committee would attend the Fen Youth Film Fest 2014.
Councillor Mrs Wright asked if all schools were invited to attend the Fen Youth Film Fest. The Western Area Manager explained that it was not a general invitation to all schools, but only to those schools who had been involved in the production of the films, but undertook to check the invitation list. The Chairman, Councillor Mrs Nockolds commented that Stuart Hall worked with schools particularly in rural areas of the Fens.
In response to questions from County Councillor Humphrey regarding travelling artefacts being loaned to schools to assist education and encourage visits to the Museum, the Western Area Manager explained that the Museums Service did have some collections that could be loaned to schools which included a significant number of hand held objects.
County Councillor Humphrey commented that it would be beneficial for the Museums Services to work in partnership with schools to develop a programme to assist with the changes in the National Curriculum. The Western Area Manager explained that the Museums Services carefully targeted marketing to help teachers deliver the changes in the National Curriculum.
The Chairman, Councillor Mrs Nockolds reminded the Committee that Members could gain free entry to the Museum if they showed their ID card.
RESOLVED: (1) The Area Museums Committee noted the report.
(2) The Learning Officer be invited to attend the next meeting of the Committee to provide an update on the National Curriculum and the programme changes for Lynn Museum and other Museums, as appropriate.
(3) The Committee be invited to undertake a tour of the Lynn Museum prior to the King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Area Museums Committee on 16 March.
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7 REPORT FROM TRUE’S YARD
In the absence of the Manager of True’s Yard, the Committee received the activity report which was noted.
In response to County Councillor Chenery regarding the archives, the Chairman, Councillor Mrs Nockolds explained that she was not aware of the age of the archives, but they mainly related to Seamen’s minutes and suggested that County Councillor Chenery contact True’s Yard direct.
8 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Co-opted Youth Representative
In response to questions from Councillor Tyler regarding the Co-opted Youth Representative, the Chairman, Councillor Mrs Nockolds explained that it was often difficult for a youth representative to attend as often they were either at work or studying at college. However, it was recognised that there was a good Youth Forum in place.
AGREED: The Western Area Manager to remind the Youth Forum that a representative be invited to participate in the King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Area Museums Committee and suggest that attendance could be made on a rota basis.
Lynn Museum – Opening Hours
County Councillor Ward commented that on arrival to King’s Lynn today he was disappointed to learn that the Lynn Museum was closed. The Western Area Manager suggested that Members undertake a tour of the Museum prior to its next meeting which was agreed by the Committee.
9 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The date of the next meeting was confirmed as Monday 16 March 2015, 2.15 pm in the Committee Suite, King’s Court, Chapel Street.
Members are invited to attend a tour of the Lynn Museum at 1.00 pm prior to the meeting at 2.15 pm.
The Meeting closed at 3.20 pm
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North Norfolk District Council Update Report
The North Norfolk District Council area is currently without an area museum committee. Communication and feedback to the Joint Museums Committee is through regular update reports as detailed below.
1. Cromer Museum - July to September quarterly report
1.1 Visitor figures
The year to date visitor figure, April – September 2014, has seen a downturn (-10%) on the same period last year with a total of 10,366 visits compared to 11,402 in 2013.
The most significant reduction in visits occurred during July – September, that suggests less tourist visitors have been present in the town centre. The good weather over this period is likely to be a main contributor to this situation.
Despite closure of the museum from 31st October – 2nd March 2015 the annual target of 15k visits remains. This will require a significantly higher number of visits both in October 2014 and March 2015 to achieve. Plans are in place to promote the Museum’s re-opening to the public in March and a detailed revised marketing plan is being developed.
1.2 Staff
Cromer Museum directly employs 2.0 FTE staff comprising one Curator (0.8 FTE), one Administration Assistant (0.2) and four Visitor Service Assistants (1 FTE).
Arts Council England funding (through the Major Partner Museum programme) provides a further 0.8 FTE in Learning posts (2)
In August the Learning Officer departed following nine years’ service with NMS. It has been agreed that while a service wide review of ACE posts is undertaken the post will be filled in April 2015. While the museum is closed to the general public (November-March) school services will remain a priority and during the interim, arrangements have been put in place for the Learning Officer’s duties to be shared by other members of the team. The Eastern Area Learning Manager will also be based at the museum fortnightly.
Staff consultation was completed to help meet the NNDC grant reduction and respond to the proposed reduced winter opening hours. Following this process, all visitor service staff have voluntarily moved to zero hours or casual contracts to meet the seasonal basis of their employment with Norfolk Museums Service.
1.3 Commercial Retail
Retail income at the museum has dropped slightly this year (-3%) compared to the same period in 2013. The annual income target remains and will require a higher level of secondary spend during both October 2014 and March 2015 to be achieved.
A review of the retail service at Cromer Museum has been undertaken by the NMS Retail Manager and a number of changes to the Museum’s retail offer will be implemented before March 2015. This includes a review of the retail space as well as the consideration of new product lines and publications. The licensing of collection images for commercial use is another area under consideration.
1 36 1.4 Events
A total of eleven public events were delivered by museum staff during the period July – September 2014 with good attendances achieved at all. These include:
Family focused activities:
• Stone Age Day – local flint-knapper demonstration and craft activity as well as stone-age tools from NMS collections for people to handle and discover. • Two Victorian Days with costumed interpreters washing and cooking in the wash house and on the Victorian range. • Mammoth Monsters & Mini-beasts Day. Following the appearance of the West Runton Mammoth at Cromer Museum on Carnival Day many of those visitors returned for this follow up event.
Adults & Families:
A NMS Museum Trainee led three informal object handling sessions for families during the summer holidays. These covered a range of themes, including “Days at the Seaside”, “Get ready for a mammoth adventure” and “Growing up in the 20th century”.
Guided Walks
• Castle Acre – The Medieval Town and Castle. • Behind the Scenes – Cromer’s hidden history - Cromer’s Hidden History researched, devised and led by a Visitor Service Assistant. • The highlight of the summer programme was the ‘Mammoth Adventure’ event, held at West Runton, in August. The event gave the public a chance to walk in the footsteps of the West Runton Mammoth for the first time in 700,000 years in the area close to the excavation site where the Mammoth's sub fossilised bones had been discovered just over twenty years previously. The articulated life-size replica model stood 4 metres tall and 6.5 metres in length. Four volunteers were strapped in position to ‘walk’ the Mammoth model that was seen by a crowd of 700+.
1.5 Olive Edis - HLF Project
The Museum Curator has submitted an expression of interest to apply for Heritage Lottery funding for this project - (Approximately £100,000). If successful, the funding will provide resources to develop the NMS Olive Edis collection profile that includes an enhanced display at the Museum and a touring exhibition. Other outreach, publication and digital media development activities are also planned. The National Portrait Gallery, The National Media Museum and the Imperial War Museum have all confirmed support for the project that will commemorate her life and highlight the national significance of her work as a pioneering photographer commissioned to go to Europe in 1919 to record the work that women had done during the war.
Cromer Museum will be able to display the most complete range of her photography ever. In addition a new travelling exhibition will bring her story and photographs to many more people in North Norfolk.
1.6 Social media.
Cromer Museum has developed a strong social media presence with over 1,850 twitter followers.
Through Facebook in particular, people who have real connections with Cromer but no longer live locally, or are unable to attend community-driven events in person, have been able to comment on the pictures and posts and better feel connected to Cromer.
2 37
The museum has ‘active’ Facebook friends with links to Cromer who use this means of accessing NMS services to comment, reminisce and research their Cromer family
1.7. Volunteers.
Our volunteer ‘Stitchers’ group have welcomed new members during the period and have been working on reproduction swimming costumes for use with visiting school groups studying ‘holidays in the past’.
Collection management volunteers continue to assist the Curator with cataloguing and identification work on a weekly basis.
The Friends of Cromer Museum remain active and have recently pledged their ongoing support for the museum in meeting the operational challenges ahead. The FCM annual programme of talks re-commenced on 19th September following the Summer break. The FCM Committee meets monthly at the museum.
1.8 Learning
Schools
The number of organised school visits this year is slightly up with 1,403 school visits compared to 1,389 over the same period last year.
Museum staff recently delivered a new geography & local history event for Cromer Junior School. This event used maps to investigate the development of Cromer following the arrival of the railway in the 1860s and included workshops and a teacher led trail around key sites in the area.
Design work has been completed on new schools’ marketing materials for Cromer Museum. These will be distributed to all schools in North Norfolk during October.
Youth Engagement
Museum staff delivered a summer school event at the museum inspired by Victorian photographers, including Olive Edis. Young people from the Mancroft Advice Project (MAP) hubs in Cromer, Sheringham & Stalham worked alongside photographer Jeremy Webb to make pinhole cameras, take real photographs & photograms and develop them in a purpose made temporary dark room at the museum. The photographs will be displayed as part of the North Norfolk Coast Festival.
2. Integrating cultural and tourism activities
NNDC officers are working with the NMS to further integrate museum services and activities in the district with the wide range of other cultural and tourism strategies operating in the area. North Norfolk has a diverse range of arts and cultural providers both in the public and independent sectors that play a major role in supporting the tourism offer in the district. Developing cultural tourism is a priority for the authority and an updated 5 year cultural strategy is due in early 2015. This will include work across sectors to improve strategic planning, programme development and joint marketing.
The recently launched destination management organisation -Visit North Norfolk and the quasi DMO - Broads Tourism can both play a role in helping promote museum services and events in the district as part of the tourism offer. This relationship will be developed as part of the cultural
3 38 strategy review in 2015. Many of the initiatives could benefit from links to other districts and wider county based links will be included. There will be a particular emphasis on links to the Norwich area and the encouragement of visitors to travel out to the northern coast area and it’s wide range of cultural opportunities.
Potential areas of linked activities include developing the interest generated by the Runton Mammoth Adventure, the potential of the North Norfolk coastline as the ‘Norfolk Fossil Coast’ and placing Cromer Museum as the area hub for promoting and supporting museum related development and links into other cultural/ arts and tourism based activities.
Details of the revised cultural strategy for North Norfolk will be reported to the Joint Committee as part of the proposed consultation process adopted for the drafting process.
3. Area Committee / District Museums Forum
Part of the revised approach to cultural services in NNDC will include better liasion and collaboration with the independent museum sector. There is currently no area museum committee and while there are extensive links between the NMS and the independent sector, there are limited formal structures for the sector to meet together and benefit from better joint input and cross sector working for the benefit of the wider museum sector.
The revised NNDC Cultural Strategy will include proposals for a North Norfolk Museum Forum. Cromer Museum is the only NMS facility in the district but there is a wide range of independent museums and a forum based structure is likely to be more effective than an area museum committee used by most other districts with museum services. It is anticipated that the forum would be launched in 2015 /16 and would play a key role in launching the revised cultural strategy. progress on this action will be reported to the Joint Museums Committee on a regular basis.
Cllr Glyn Williams
Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Cultural Services North Norfolk District Council
November 2014
4 39
Joint Museums Committee Item No 6
Report title: Norfolk Museums Service – Integrated Finance and Risk Monitoring Report for 2014/15 Date of meeting: 28th November 2014 Responsible Chief Tom McCabe Officer: Strategic impact This report covers the forecast position and risk management for the Norfolk Museums Service (NMS) in 2014/15 as at 30th September 2014
Executive summary
This report covers the forecast Norfolk Museums Service (NMS) budget out-turns for 2014/15. Section 1 covers progress with the NMS revenue budget for 2014/15, reserves and provisions, the capital programme, and savings applied to the revenue budget for 2015/16. Section 2 provides the Committee with an update on the service risk register.
The main issues for consideration by this Committee are:
• Progress with NMS Revenue budgets and Reserves and Provisions indicates that the service should achieve a break-even position at the year-end.
• Progress with risk management for NMS.
Recommendations: Committee Members are asked to consider and comment on:
• Progress with the revenue budget, capital programme and reserves and provisions forecast out-turn positions for 2014/15
• Progress with the management of risk within the NMS
• Note the proposed savings for 2015/16 and beyond
1. Proposal (or options)
1.1 Revenue Budget 2014/15
1.1.1 The NMS expects to achieve a break-even revenue budget outturn for 2014/15.
1.1.2 There is a projected surplus of £0.101m from Admissions Income. This reflects an overall 30% increase on Admissions Income compared to 2013/14. The reason for this is the Museums Cultural VAT exemption granted, together with increased admissions over the summer months. This additional income is offsetting potential shortfalls on other income targets.
40 1.1.3 The table below sets out the net revenue service budgets and out-turn for the NMS.
Service Approved Outturn +Over/-Under +Over/Under Variance budget £m spend spend as % of since last £m £m budget report £m
Museums 3.265 3.265 0.000 0.00% 0 Service
NMS Total 3.265 3.265 0.000 0.00% 0
1.1.4 Savings targets included in the Approved Budget for 14/15 total £0.491m. These are made up of £0.140m from restructuring, renegotiating Joint Museums funding £0.050m, Gift Aid and Cultural Exemptions £0.200m, and Income Generation £0.101m.
1.2 Capital programme
1.2.1 Norfolk County Council’s commitment to the county’s cultural heritage and resources has been evidenced over the last year in our continuing programme of refurbishment and improvement to museums.
1.2.2 The capital programme is monitored over the life of the scheme rather than a single year. This reflects the life of the projects and the associated funding. There are currently no new schemes planned for future years.
1.2.3 The NMS 2014/15 capital programme is detailed in the table below and includes any programme revisions.
Capital Programme 2014/15 – Norfolk Museums Service
Approved 2014/15 Scheme or programme of 2014/15 Forecast Capital Capital Slippage Reasons work Budget Outturn £m £m Schemes in Progress Bridewell Museum Project estimated to 0.023 0.023 0 Development complete in 14/15 Gressenhall Eco Building 0.047 0.047 0 Now complete Ongoing Seahenge 0.007 0.007 0 improvements Gressenhall Biomass Boiler Project estimated to 0.011 0.011 0 CERF * complete in 14/15 Project estimated to GFWH Wind & Solar CERF* 0.017 0.017 0 complete in 14/15 Project will complete Museum Stock System 0.040 0.040 0 in 14/15 Project will complete Castle Keep Improvements 0.009 0.009 0 in 14/15 Gressenhall Sewerage Plant 0.253 0.253 0 Tenders received Corporate Minor Works 0.008 0.008 0 Total 0.415 0.415 0 41 * CERF is the Carbon Energy Reduction Fund.
Funding of the NMS Capital Programme
The NMS capital programme is funded from a variety of sources:
• The feasibility element of the Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell project was funded from NMS. The capital programme is £1.577m with approved HLF funding of £0.979m, £0.224m NCC capital, £0.76m Norwich City Council and £0.025m from the Friends of Norwich Museums and service contributions. • The Gressenhall Eco-Buildings project was funded by NCC over 2 years with approved funding of £0.048m in 2009/10 and £0.095m in 2010/11. Due to planning objections this project needed to be re-scoped and so completion was delayed. The programme will concentrate on providing necessary visitor facilities including toilet provision adjacent to the adventure playground. • Seahenge ongoing funding is to improve the entrance at Lynn Museum in conjunction with a minor works project. This is rolled forward from prior years. • The Museum Stock System project has been funded from revenue. • The Gressenhall Sewerage Plant work is funded from Community Services. o - 0 – o
1.3 Reserves and Provisions
1.3.1 There are some changes to reserves and provisions to report. The table summarising the out-turn position appears below.
• The income reserve is maintained to enable the service to effectively manage resources during periods of unfavourable weather conditions that can impact upon visitor numbers. Elements of this are being used to cover the capital investment for the Commercial Business Plan which supports income generation targets for 2014/15.
• The Museums Repairs and Renewals Reserve reduced by £0.064m to fund the final implementation costs of the new Retail and Ticketing system..
• The Unspent Grants and Contributions Reserve includes earmarked non conditional project balances at year end.
Balances Forecast Change at Outturn Reserves and Provisions 2013/14 01Apr14 at 31Mar15 £M £M £M Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service Museums Income Reserve 0.040 0.024 -0.016 Museums Repairs and Renewals Reserve 0.224 0.159 0.065 Unspent Grants and Contributions Reserve 0.569 0.298 0.271 Service Total 0.833 0.481 0.320 42
1.4 2015/16 Budgets
1.4.1 While a number of budget savings were agreed for 2014/15 and beyond as part of the Putting People First consultation, changes to the financial environment mean further savings are required. These are still under consultation but can be summarised below:
2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 £m £m £m PPF20 – Gift Aid & Cultural Exemptions -0.354 0 0 CMM002 – Reduction in staff -0.050 0 0 CMM002 – Income generation -0.028 -0.010 0 Total -0.432 -0.010 0
Further details will be provided within the reports brought to the January Committee meeting.
2. Risk Management
2.1 The service continues to manage the risks to its objectives both internal and external. The risk register is reviewed and updated on a quarterly basis and was last reported to this Committee in June 2014. A summary of the risk register based on the most recent review of September 2014 appears at Appendix A. . 2.2 The register contains eight key risks, six of which are currently assessed as a ‘medium’ level risk, while two are now assessed as ‘low’.
2.3 Two of the medium risks are met and all others are showing ‘green – on schedule’ towards achieving their target risk scores.
2.4 The impact of the six unmet risks on the budget has been assessed as follows:
2.4.1 RM13947 – failure to meet this risk could mean damage to exhibits (reducing income and incurring costs), undermine safety and damage the reputation of the service. This risk is mitigated through close work with NPS to ensure buildings are maintained, investments are made where necessary and an emergency response plan is in place for each site.
2.4.2 RM13948 – the collections stored in the basement at Great Yarmouth library is valued at £397k. The cost of repairing these in the event of damage would likely be at least this value. This risk is mitigated through our emergency plan, the purchase of contents insurance, regular inspections and the securing of alternative storage with a final move of vulnerable collections due to be delivered by early 2015.
2.4.3 RM13949 – Arts Council England (ACE) funding of £1.2m in 2014-15 and a further £4.1m covering the period 2015-18 has been confirmed in principle and is in the final stages of contractual sign-off. If this funding was to be lost then either activities would cease or alternative funding identified. This is mitigated by close monitoring of the service to ensure targets are met and maintaining close ties with the ACE Relationship Manager.
43 2.4.5 RM14065 – failure to follow data protection procedures could lead to loss or inappropriate release of information which could lead to fines and civil claims. This is mitigated by making sure that all staff complete the mandatory training and are aware of their responsibilities.
2.4.6 RM14162 – failure to generate income in line with the 2014-17 service plan would mean alternative savings would have to be identified to deliver a balanced budget. This is mitigated by the investments being made to allow NMS to deliver services to the public on a more commercial basis.
2.4.7 RM14163 – failure to agree contributions from joint museums agreement participants may lead to a reduced service. Negotiations are ongoing to mitigate this.
2.5.1 Museum Collections and Loans Insurance – where each individual item is valued under £10,000 these are covered by Contents Insurance, which covers all NMS buildings and their contents. The annual premium for 2014-15 is available from the Head of Service on an individual basis due to the commercial sensitivity of this information.
2.5.2 Museum Collections and minimum liability loans – where each individual item is valued over £10,000 these are covered by a Fine Art and Collections policy. The annual premium for 2014-15 is available as above.
2.5.3 We provide ‘Risk and Insurance’ at Norfolk County Council with a list of everything over £10,000 in value, which is submitted as an addendum to our insurance agreement. The list is updated each year. Items valued below £10,000 are not individually itemised.
3. Financial Implications
The implications for resources including, financial, staff, property and IT, where relevant, are set out in Section 1 of this report.
4. Issues, risks and innovation
Officers have considered all the implications which members should be aware of. Apart from those listed in the report (above), there are no other implications to take into account
5. Background
There are no other documents to refer to.
44 Officer Contact If you have any questions about matters contained or want to see copies of any assessments, eg equality impact assessment, please get in touch with:
If you have any questions about matters contained in this paper please get in touch with:
Officer Name: Tel No: Email address:
Steve Miller Robert Ginn Head of NMS Accountant Community Services Department Budgeting & Accounting Tel: 01603 493620 Tel: 01603 223182 Email: [email protected] Email [email protected]
If you need this report in large print, audio, Braille, alternative format or in a different language please contact 0344 800 8020 or 0344 800 8011 (textphone) and we will do our best to help.
Appendix A: Risk Register for Norfolk Museums Service
As per attached Excel sheet
45 Appendix : Risk Register - Norfolk County Council
Risk Register Name Norfolk Museums Service Red
Prepared by Steve Miller and Steve Rayner High Amber
Date updated September 2014 Med Green
Next update due December 2014 Low Met
Prospects of meeting Date Date of Target Reviewed Risk entered Target review Area Risk Name Risk Description Tasks to mitigate the risk Progress update Risk Risk Owner and/or Number on risk Date and/or Score by updated by CDGSTP register update Target Impact Target Impact Current Impact Current Inherent Impact Likelihood Target Target Risk Score Risk Target Date Current LikelihoodCurrent Current Risk Score Risk Current Inherent Risk Score Inherent Risk Inherent Likelihood S Norfolk RM13947 Failure to maintain We operate our service from historic Close liaison with NPS and Norwich City Constructive discussions with NPS and Norwich CC Museums historic buildings buildings that can be difficult to Council to identify priorities in building have resulted in substantial investment in buildings Service maintain. If we are not able to maintenance maintenance. Andrew Crossley point of contact for establish or ensure a robust Ensure we include investment in buildings standards monitoring with NPS. Bacon House is now relationship with our property maintenance in all capital projects on NCC Property Portfolio with access to the Building management partner NPS that Ensure we foster a good personal and Maintenance Fund to bring site up to required standard. adequately identifies our additional professional relationship between our Major roofing works at the Shirehall completed in 2012. needs it could result in damage to our staff and that of NPS Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell re-opened to the exhibits, undermine safety and Ensure that our building staff are public in July 2012 following substantial investment in negatively affect our reputation. 30/06/2011 4 3 12 3 3 9 continuously monitoring our buildings to its historic fabric as part of an HLF-funded 3 3 9 01/04/2017 Green Steve Miller Steve Miller 01/10/2014 supplement NPS refurbishment. Ensure we have appropriate emergency Reviewed by SMT 20 August 2013 - As this is a risk to response procedure in place in all be managed on an on-going basis, having met its premises target score by January 2013 - agreed at SMT 20 August 2013 to show prospects as 'Green', amend target date to 01 April 2017 and retain on the risk register for monitoring purposes until 2017.
Reviewed by SMT 21 March 2014 - No change. S Norfolk RM13948 Significant flooding If we have significant flooding in the Emergency plan is in place Reviewed by SMT 16 April 2013 - The library basement Museums in Gt Yarmouth Gt Yarmouth area this could lead to Weekly checks of the store are carried art store has now been cleared. There will remain a Service area the Gt Yarmouth library basement out to check on safety of contents large proportion of our social history collections that will being contaminated resulting in loss Contents insurance purchased be reviewed for further rationalisation but these are not or damage to reserve museum Ensure risk assessment is reviewed considered to be a significant long term risk. Survey of collections. Seek alternative storage provision storage area (December 2012) had identified possible Swap valuable high value items with other asbestos issue that would require urgent evacuation of stores all collections to an alternative, secure, site. GY Ensure location records are accurate Operations manager has established the situation and Commence a programme of prepared a suitable action plan/risk assessment. There rationalisation of collections in order to may be minor low level asbestos related risks in enable store to be vacated relation to removal of floor tiles and Norse has been 1 1 1 31/03/2015 Green James Steward James Steward 01/10/2014 30/06/2011 3 4 12 2 3 6 tasked with investigation. Reviewed by SMT 20 August 2013 - Identification of alternative storage location remains a priority, subject to NMS rationalisation strategy. Current impact score raised from two to three, however, prospects remain 'Green' subject to further review.
Reviewed by SMT 21 March 2014 - No change to scoring - Target date amended to 31/03/2015. Positive progress on delivery during the first half of 2014/15, expectation for this risk to be resolved by target date.
S Norfolk RM13949 Not delivering If we do not deliver on the targets set Monitor service delivery to ensure that Positive progress against all business plans (MPM, Museums business plan for our ACE funded business plan this targets are being met Museums Development and Museums & Schools). Service targets as Arts could lead to a failure to draw down Maintain close liaison with ACE Council England funding during 2012-15, the loss of 30/06/2011 3 3 9 1 3 3 Relationship Manager to ensure that she 1 3 3 31/03/2015 Green Steve Miller Steve Miller (ACE) funded funding in 2015, and a resulting is aware of achievement and challenges Major Partner reduction in service provision. Museum
46 Norfolk S Norfolk S Norfolk S Norfolk S CDGSTP Museums Museums Museums Museums Museums Norfolk Service Service Service Service Service Area Number RM14163 Joint museums Joint museums RM14163 Failure to generate RM14162 M43 Failure to secure RM14132 M46 Failure to follow RM14065 RM14027 Theft of museum Theft of museum RM14027 Risk agreement review. plan.service withaccordance 2014/2017 in in streams additional income procedures data protection objects Museum Major Partner continue a as funding and Renaissance England (ACE) CouncilArts ikNm RiskDescription RiskName reputation. andto ofreduced loss service agreement may leadjoint museums contributions participants from in the Failure to agreement reach over the budget. alternative budget to savings balance will leadstreams to reliance on Failure to generate additional income prosecution and civil claims. vulnerable staff, monetary penalties, and users safeguard service the Data Protection Act and failure to information resulting in a breach of inappropriate disclosure of personal can leadprocedures to or loss Failure to follow data protection the museums service. the museums reputation and of loss confidence in damage to objects, of museum Breaches in security resulting in loss andinclusion projects. programmes many education major and social significant and losses job the end of per£1.2m annum. This will result in and the wider County in the region of of in loss investment NMSmassive period 2015-2018 will result in a Failure ACE to secure funding for the 10/04248248 4 2 8 4 2 15 21/03/2014 5 3 15 5 3 21/03/2014 10/02341 4 4 1 12 4 3 31/05/2012 20/02552 10 5 2 25 5 5 22/03/2012 15 5 3 15 5 3 23/08/2013 register entered on risk on Date
Inherent Likelihood Inherent Impact
Inherent Risk Score
Current Likelihood Current Impact
Current Risk Score 2014/15 JMA is a priority in the Service Plan delivery of key goals Staff will be trained and supported in the StrategyCommercial in place Mandatory training refresher and access. computer for staff and volunteers who have no information security has been published A on workbook data protection and learning courses. protection and information security e- until they have completed the data New staff not allowed computing access monitoring of rates completion of training. correct recipient. correct ensure sensitive information is sent to the Introduction stringent of more rules to contractors. any behavioursuspicious by the public or Ensure that staff are vigilant in monitoring investigation. Liaise with police during their upgrade of CCTV. ofRemoval paintingssmall pending guards while being reviews undertaken. Employment of additional gallery security where necessary. Installation of additional alarms case whereUpgrade necessary. locks of case Additional CCTV coverage. Review of security staffing and systems. Review of display security. case of budget relating discussions to 2014-17 andDirectors Elected Members in terms Strategic with conversations NCC possible autumn 2013/spring 2014 Put together the application strongest and varied methods communication with ACE colleagues through advocacy Maintain excellent working relationship successfully programme Deliver the ACE current Renaissance Tasksriskmitigatethe to u JMC briefed 27th June 2014; Review currently m Reviewed by SMT 21 March 2014 Excellent - progress across the per Service NCC as standards. across to avoid easy when using mistakes email lists - address Awaiting sign Internal off from Audit. introduced. Security added toof remit H&S Committee. p corporate policies. have been developed and delivered to support been reviewed and bespoke guidelines and procedures Reviewed by SMT 21 March 2014 - change to Steve Miller with SMT to monitor in future. Reviewed at SMT 20 August 2013 monitoring purposes. in place.measures Retain register for on risk Reviewed at SMT 15 January 2013. NMS Target met. 08/08/12. is an on-going risk. Targetto date - scoring amended to 01/04/2015 this as audits and security are continuing. reviews No change Reviewed by SMT 21 March 2014 Robust - on-going future security arrangements. going John Davies will risk own and update to reflect Reviewed by SMT 20 August 2013 - Retain register for monitoring on risk purposes. Safety and security in infrastructure place. Reviewed at SMT 15 January 2013. Target met. anticipated. Foundation to help with Service-wide fundraising. including the establishment of the new Development goodin made the progress half first of 2014/15 encouraged theirto refresh e-training, and advised how Staff reminded of the nature serious of data protection, upgraded where necessary. New key protocols implemented.reviews Case security and checked internal from Recommendations and external security scoring Reviewed by SMT 21 March 2014 No - change to and future SMT meetings. To be reviewed at ACE/Renaissance Board Meetings Positive on key progress at as 31 items March 2014. rocedures broughtrocedures in via DNA will be implemented nderway with all JMA (Sept partners 2014), no issues ade and for 2013/14. themet was target score Very Progressupdate Any of changes in terms - -
Local data has
Ownership to As As this is an on- 31/03/2015 4 4 1 031/03/2015 10 5 2 31/03/2015 3 3 1 01/04/2017 6 3 2 31/03/2015 5 5 1 Likelihood Target Impact Target
Target Risk Score Target Date of meeting of Prospects Scoreby Target Target G G G Date Risk Met Met reen reen reen RiskOwner onDve onDve 01/10/2014 John Davies John Davies tv ilrSeeMle 01/10/2014 Steve Miller Steve Miller 01/10/2014 Steve Miller Steve Miller 01/10/2014 Steve Miller Steve Miller tv ilrSeeMle 01/10/2014 Steve Miller Steve Miller updated by updated Reviewed and/or and/or 47 Date of update review and/or and/or JOINT MUSEUMS COMMITTEE 28th November 2014 Item no: 7
Norfolk Museums Service – Performance & Strategic Update Report A report by the Head of Museums
Executive Summary
This report provides an update on performance against Norfolk Museums Service (NMS) Service Plans.
The main issues for consideration by this Committee are:
• Performance against the Service Plans 2014/15
• Committee to note progress around the Accreditation of the Service’s museum sites by Arts Council England
• Submission of NMS’s Arts Council England budgets 2015-18
• Updating of the Joint Museums Agreement
• Project to develop the Medieval Keep, Norwich Castle
Recommendation
Committee Members are asked to consider and comment on:
• Progress of performance against the 2014/15 Service Plans, especially commercial goals
• Submission of the Service’s Arts Council England budgets 2015-18
• Agreement to extend the Joint Museums Agreement as per previous reports and subsequent to individual approval by all partners during Summer and early Autumn
• Approval to progress an HLF application for the development of the Medieval Keep, Norwich Castle (reference: presentation on the agenda)
1. Performance against Service Plans
1.1 Performance Summary
1.1.1 Total museum visits across all 10 NMS sites for the period 1 April 2014 – 30 September 2014 were 229,036 compared to 213,045 for the equivalent period 1 April 2013 – 30 September 2013. This 7.5% increase on a very successful JMC Performance and Strategic Update Report, November 2014 48 year 2013/14 is almost entirely down to the performance of Norwich Castle, with strong increases also being seen at Lynn Museum and Gressenhall, driven by a varied events and exhibition programme.
1.1.2 School visits across the 10 NMS sites for the period 1 April 2014 – 30 September 2014 were 18,613 compared to 17,468 school visits for the equivalent period 1 April 2013 – 30 September 2013. This represents a 6.5% increase year to date, a very impressive performance given the significant barriers which schools continue to face in making a visit to one of our sites.
1.1.3 Overall, the year-to-date performance in terms of total visitor numbers and school visits has been very strong and the Service will be working hard to sustain this level of performance in the face of significant pressures.
1.2 Performance/Service Plan highlights
1.2.1 The Wonder of Birds exhibition, Norwich Castle The Wonder of Birds exhibition ran at Norwich Castle from 24th May – 14th September 2014. The exhibition, which brought together the Museum’s nationally designated natural history collections with its fine and decorative art collections and included major loans from museums across the UK told the story of birds and their relationship with people.
This landmark exhibition, curated by Dr Francesca Vanke and Dr David Waterhouse, secured extensive complimentary national publicity and generated 72,505 visits, making it the most successful temporary exhibition ever held at Norwich Castle.
A full evaluation report is available to Committee Members upon request.
1.2.2 Gressenhall: Voices from the Workhouse Project Following the successful Stage 1 Heritage Lottery Fund pass for Gressenhall’s ‘Voices from the Workhouse’ project the second round application has been submitted and will be assessed at the HLF’s November Committee Meeting.
The Gressenhall team, led by Dr Robin Hanley, have completed an exemplary piece of development work in a short period of time in order to maximise the match funding opportunities, particularly support through the DCMS/Wolfson Fund. Additional thanks also go to Breckland DC for their support for this strategically important project.
1.2.3 Education and Learning Programmes School numbers across the 10 museums are continuing at a very encouraging level, despite many challenges including the recent changes to the National Curriculum. New programmes and initiatives, including events supporting The Wonder of Birds exhibition at Norwich Castle, were successfully delivered over the summer period.
Time and Tide Museum secured a prestigious Sandford Award for Excellence in Heritage Education during the summer. Credit for this major accolade goes to the Time and Tide education team, led by James Steward and Colin Stott.
JMC Performance and Strategic Update Report, November 2014 49 Ancient House Museum, Thetford, has been selected as one of only 19 Arts Award venues across England as a Centre of Good Practice for 2014-15. Of these 19 venues, Ancient House Museum is the only museum, a very impressive achievement for the Service.
Arts Award is a range of unique qualifications that support anyone up to 25 to grow their arts and leadership talents by taking challenges in an art form – from fashion to film making, pottery to poetry. Arts Award can be achieved at five levels, four accredited qualifications and an introductory award. Through Arts Award young people gain a nationally recognised qualification enabling them to progress into further education and employment.
1.2.4 Teaching Museum & Skills As previously reported, the second cohort of Teaching Museum trainees are now engaged in every aspect of the Service’s work across the County and are delivering some excellent results including as part of the Service’s First World War programme.
Our Heritage Lottery Fund supported Skills for the Future trainees (based at Gressenhall and the Museum of East Anglian Life in Suffolk) continue to deliver outstanding results and the project is nationally recognised. An advocacy report highlighting the many successes of the project has been created to help with fundraising to allow the project to continue in some form beyond its funding which comes to an end next Spring.
1.2.5 Victoria Cross Event, Norwich Castle The Service was very pleased to support an event on Saturday 11 October organised by Cllr Rex Parkinson-Hare to commemorate the 5 Victoria Crosses which were won by soldiers of the Royal Norfolk Regiment during the Second World War, the highest number won by any regiment in the country.
1.2.6 Marketing and PR The Service continues to generate good levels of local, regional and national media coverage for its exhibitions and education programmes.
The coverage for the forthcoming exhibition at Norwich Castle, Homage to Manet, which will run from 31 January to 19 April 2015 is expected to be very positive and wide-reaching, with support secured once again from the EDP who will be the exhibition’s media partner.
1.2.6 Commercial Developments A key element of the current service plans and of meeting the challenges of the budget reductions ahead is the successful delivery of the commercial targets as laid out in the business plan 2012-15. Key developments are listed below:
Ticketing & Membership – as previously reported, the installation of a new ticketing & membership system across the Service was successfully completed by 1 April. Significant work is being done behind the scenes to realise the full potential of this investment and the first meeting of the new Retail Board took place in June.
JMC Performance and Strategic Update Report, November 2014 50 Digital/online – the Museum launched its new online Collections Website in April funded by the Esmee Fairbairn Collections Fund. As previously noted, this will enable access for both local and international audiences to key museum collections from across the Service as well as facilitating a number of exciting new partnerships including a project with Google. As part of the next phase of the programme, we will be exploring print on demand and other commercial uses for our national collections
Conference & banqueting – wedding licences have now been secured for venues including Elizabethan House, Strangers’ Hall and Norwich Castle. Licences for Gressenhall and Ancient House Museum are expected shortly. Advertising has been placed in various online and print media and the first bookings are expected to be received in 2015. A new conference & banqueting brochure for Norwich Castle has been produced and widely distributed.
Catering – the redecoration of the internal café space at Norwich Castle has been completed and visitor feedback on the new ‘tea shop’ theme and new menu, including bespoke teas, has been very positive.
Events – the six months of 2014/15 has seen a successful and varied events programme across all sites with excellent numbers at Norwich Castle, Gressenhall and Time & Tide as well as Lynn Museum and the Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell. Highlights have included the ever- popular ‘Apple Day’ event at Gressenhall in October (with over 3,000 visitors) and the ‘Fashion and Passion’ event at the Castle delivered in partnership with the Costume & Textile Association as part of their 25th anniversary celebrations.
External Services – the Museum’s national-standard Design and Conservation teams are now offering professional services commercially to other museums and heritage sites. For more details visit www.conserveanddisplay.co.uk
Curatorial Services – new forms of income generation through our curatorial expertise including behind-the-scenes tours, guided tours of the temporary exhibitions and charging for commercial enquiries, is being worked up. A full report will come to the Joint Museums Committee in the Spring.
1.3 Conclusion
1.3.1 NMS is currently on target to meet or exceed all the goals and targets laid out in the current service plans including its Arts Council England Major Partner Museum plan 2012/15.
2. Strategic Developments
2.1 Development Foundation The Norfolk Museums Development Foundation has now been registered with Companies House and with the Charity Commission. The first meeting of the new Board of Trustees, Chaired by Cllr John Ward, will take place in November.
JMC Performance and Strategic Update Report, November 2014 51 The Foundation will be supporting Officers in the creation of a Fundraising Strategy for the Service, which will then come to the Joint Museums Committee for comment and approval. To ensure good communication between the Joint Museums Committee and the Foundation, regular reports on the activities of both the Committee and the Foundation will be shared with all relevant partners on an on-going basis. Likewise, our Friends groups, East Anglia Art Fund (EAAF) and the Costume & Textile Association (C&TA) will be fully engaged in the development process.
2.2 Accreditation The Accreditation Scheme sets nationally agreed standards for museums in the UK. There are currently just under 1,800 museums participating in the scheme, demonstrating their commitment to managing collections effectively for the enjoyment and benefit of users.
The Museum Registration Scheme was established in 1988. Since then it has supported museums across the UK to focus on standards and identify areas for development. In 2004, the scheme was renamed Accreditation to better reflect its purpose.
The scheme is regarded as one of the most innovative and effective developments in the museum sector. It has led the way in raising museum standards in the UK, and has been used as a model and source of inspiration for similar schemes overseas.
Accreditation looks at every part of a Museum including its governance, its financial sustainability, its learning programmes and how well it looks after the collections in its care.
Norfolk Museums Service submitted its applications ahead of the October deadline for continuing Accreditation for all of its sites except Lynn Museum, Cromer Museum and Ancient House Museum which were all Accredited in 2012.
Committee members are asked to note the submission which has involved substantial efforts from staff across the whole organisation for many months. Particular thanks go to Jamie Everitt for his coordinating role.
2.3 Joint Museums Agreement Norfolk Museums Service was established in 1974 when the County and District Councils in Norfolk agreed to delegate their museum powers to a Joint Committee to manage their diverse group of museums and to care for important collections within the ownership of the County and District Councils through a countywide Museums Service. This way of managing museum services, dependent on the foresight and generosity of the partners, was highly innovative at the time and is still a unique approach today.
The Joint Museums Agreement is reviewed periodically to ensure it still meets the needs of all partners and, most importantly, the communities we collectively serve.
The Head of Norfolk Museums Services, supported by Chairman Cllr John Ward and JMC members met with senior representatives of each of the partners of the JMC Performance and Strategic Update Report, November 2014 52 Joint Museums Agreement during the summer and autumn to review the individual service level agreements and to ensure that they are fit for purpose for the future.
These meetings went well with all partners enthusiastic about the continuation of the Joint Museums Agreement. Particular needs and priorities at an individual partner level will be looked at over the coming months as and where appropriate.
Joint Museums Committee to note this development and to agree to a renewal of the Joint Museums Agreement, details of the timescales to be confirmed.
2.4 Arts Council England – Major Partner Museum application Following submission in March of its application to Arts Council England for a second tranche of funding under the Arts Council’s Major Partner Museum (MPM)/Renaissance programme, NMS received the very welcome news that it had been successful in July. However, NMS was unsuccessful in its application to operate as a Bridge organisation (brokering relationships between arts organisations and young people) within the East of England.
The successful delivery of the current MPM programme remains of vital importance. Performance against the key goals in the current programme is excellent, although our overall Arts Council assessment has been adjusted to ‘Medium Risk’ to reflect uncertainties about continuing levels of local authority support.
Jo Warr, Head of Development, will update Committee Members on the proposed Arts Council England budgets for 2015-18.
2.5 Capital Developments The ‘Voices from the Workhouse’ capital development at Gressenhall Farm & Workhouse is covered in 1.2.2.
A presentation will be given at the Meeting by Dr John Davies on the development of the Medieval Keep at Norwich Castle.
NMS continues to compile indicative costs for a display of the famous West Runton mammoth. The likely location of this would be the Rotunda at the Castle though the project will focus engagement on the communities in North Norfolk where the find was made.
2.6 Emergency Planning Work is continuing regarding the review and updating of NMS’s Emergency Plans for all of its 10 museums. These plans are vital to ensuring that sites and collections can be protected in the event of a major incident and that business continuity can be facilitated, as far as is possible.
2.7 HLF Collecting Cultures application As reported in June, NMS put forward an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Collecting Cultures fund for a project entitled ‘The Kingdom of East Anglia’. Unfortunately, this application was unsuccessful. However, both NMS and Colchester & Ipswich Museum Service (CIMS) will be meeting to discuss
JMC Performance and Strategic Update Report, November 2014 53 ways to move this desirable project forward, including the possibility of a smaller application to the HLF.
2.8 Norfolk County Council – budget 2015/16 NMS has responded to the additional reductions in the Norfolk County Council budget for 2015/16 with a number of proposals which will be consulted on over the coming months.
Specific proposals include:
• Bringing in parking charges at Gressenhall Farm & Workhouse • Re-introducing winter admissions charging at Ancient House Museum, Thetford
It should be noted that these additional budgetary proposals are in addition to the significant budgetary commitments which NMS already faced for the next financial year.
A balanced budget for 2015/16 will be achieved through a combination of additional income generation and cost savings including a restructure of the Service. The restructure will also include staff reductions in Arts Council England supported posts following a reduction in our Major Partner Museum grant levels (in common with all other successful applicants).
There are no proposed reductions in opening hours to museum sites or reduction in key services to the public including our schools’ programmes.
2.9 Admission prices 2015-16
Following a consultation exercise with key NCC colleagues and discussions with the Chair of JMC and the Cabinet Member for Communities, the admission prices for 2015-16 have been set (see Appendix 1). The prices for 2015-16 have been set with a view to meeting our vision for wide and fair access to our museums and collections as well as responding to our budgetary commitments.
Members of JMC should particularly note:
• the continuation of the popular Children’s University scheme allowing FREE access for Norfolk children • the continuation of FREE access for Norfolk schools • the continuation of the two new, great value family tickets - Two Adults and All Your Children and One Adult and All Your Children to reflect non-traditional families • easily understandable pricing, as outlined in the Members' Review on the Museum Service, making our admission prices easier to understand • an increased commitment to providing free access to those groups unable to pay - Looked After Children, Carers, etc.), including free access for the YMCA Norfolk (new for 2014/15)
In addition, the Service will maintain the number of FREE days in 2015/16 (including the new, free day trialled at the Castle in February 2014).
JMC Performance and Strategic Update Report, November 2014 54
3. Museum Development across Norfolk
3.1 In September, NMS learnt that it had been successful in its bid to continue leading on developing the museum sector in the East of England. NMS is one of nine partners nationally to receive funding from Arts Council England to provide professional support, advice and guidance to museums to raise standards across the sector. NMS has been awarded £1,188,000 over the next three years for this important work.
The latest award recognises NMS’ leadership role in the wider museum sector, and the service’s track record of working with museums of all shapes and sizes in the past few years to improve standards.
In the last year alone NMS has worked with 93% [153] of the region’s Accredited museums through its innovative skills sharing scheme SHARE Museums East, delivering training and support to over 1000 museum staff and volunteers last year. For more information on NMS’ leadership role in museum development in the region and the SHARE scheme visit: http://sharemuseumseast.org.uk/
4. Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA)
4.1 The NMS Service Plan places diversity, equality and community cohesion at the heart of service development and service delivery. It aims to ensure that activities included in the service plan are accessible to diverse groups in Norfolk and that all policies, practices and procedures undergo equality impact assessment.
These assessments help the service focus on meeting the needs of customers in relation to age, disability, gender, race, religion & belief and sexual orientation.
5. Section 17 – Crime and Disorder Act
5.1 NMS is working hard to help address the issues of social exclusion, one of the key triggers for crime and disorder. NMS provides services that are accessible to local people, encourage participation in cultural activities by people who are at risk of offending, engage offenders through a range of cultural projects, assist schools in improving pupil attainment and deliver opportunities to increase the number of people who are in education, employment or training.
Through these and many other projects the NMS is using its resources to contribute towards reducing crime and disorder in Norfolk.
6. Conclusion
6.1 NMS is on target to achieve its key service plan targets including all of the targets laid out in its Arts Council England Major Partner Museum plan 2012/15. Progress against other KPIs including visitor satisfaction and the delivery of educational and outreach targets and work with young people in the borough remain very positive.
6.2 NMS is well placed to deliver its ambitious plans for 2014/15 including its new income generation targets. JMC Performance and Strategic Update Report, November 2014 55
7. Recommendation or Action Required
7.1 The Joint Museums Committee is asked to consider and comment on:
• Progress of performance against the 2014/15 Service Plans, especially commercial goals
• Submission of the Service’s Arts Council England budgets 2015-18
• Agreement to extend the Joint Museums Agreement as per previous reports and subsequent to individual approval by all partners during Summer and early Autumn
• Approval to progress an HLF application for the development of the Medieval Keep, Norwich Castle (reference: presentation on the agenda)
Officer Contact
If you have any questions about matters contained in this paper please get in touch with:
Steve Miller Head of Norfolk Museums Service Community Services Department Tel: 01603 493620 Email: [email protected]
If you need this report in large print, audio, Braille, alternative format or in a different language please contact 0344 800 8020 or 0344 800 8011 (textphone) and we will do our best to help.
JMC Performance and Strategic Update Report, November 2014 56
Appendix 1 Admission prices 2015-16
Family *** Family *** Child/Young Adult Conc * Site 1 A + all C 2 A + all C Person 4 - 18 2014/15 2015/16 2014/15 2015/16 2014/15 2015/16 2014/15 2015/16 2014/15 2015/16 Gressenhall £9.90 £10.50 £8.60 £9.50 £20.00 £22.00 £29.00 £30.00 £6.50 £7.50 Norwich Castle £7.95 £8.35 £6.50 £7.50 £14.00 £17.50 £21.00 £23.50 £5.20 £6.25 Time & Tide £4.95 £5.20 £3.95 £4.70 £10.00 £10.90 £12.00 £14.50 £3.50 £3.90 Museum of Norwich £4.95 £5.20 £3.95 £4.70 £10.00 £10.90 £12.00 £14.50 £2.95 £3.90 Strangers’ Hall £4.50 £4.50 £3.50 £4.10 £7.00 £9.50 £10.50 £12.60 £2.50 £3.40 Elizabethan House £4.50 £4.50 £3.50 £4.10 £7.00 £9.50 £10.50 £12.60 £2.50 £3.40 Ancient House £3.95 £3.95 £3.40 £3.55 £6.50 £8.30 £10.00 £11.00 £2.30 £2.95 Lynn Museum £3.95 £3.95 £3.40 £3.55 £6.50 £8.30 £10.00 £11.00 £2.30 £2.95 Castle Ex ** £5.00 £5.25 £4.00 £4.75 n/a n/a n/a n/a £3.00 £3.95 Tolhouse, GY £3.50 £3.50 £2.95 £3.20 £5.50 £7.30 £8.00 £9.80 £1.95 £2.60 Cromer Museum £3.95 £3.75 £3.40 £3.40 £6.50 £7.90 £10.00 £10.50 £2.30 £2.80
* Concession - 65+, full time education, unwaged
** Castle exhibitions - 2015-16 we will price on an exhibition by exhibition basis
*** Family tickets – 1 adult and unlimited children; 2 adults and unlimited children
JMAC Performance and Strategic Update Report, November 2014 57 Report to Joint Museums Committee 28 November 2014 Item No 8
The Development of the Medieval Keep at Norwich Castle
Report by the Head of Museums
Summary
This paper sets out a proposal and justification for the development and re-display of the medieval keep at Norwich Castle. A building of outstanding architectural importance and symbol of regional identity, it has never been appropriately displayed.
Benefits to the region and to Norfolk Museums Services are set out. A proposal to present the building as it appeared during the 12th century, when it was a Royal Castle, is put forward. This vision has been developed through partnership work, results of consultation and learning from developments elsewhere.
The vision is seen to be in harmony with the original Victorian proposal for the building when originally converted from a prison into a museum in 1887.
Action Required
Members of JMC are asked to provide permission for the following: a For the project to proceed b For a pre-application to be submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund.
1 Background and project context
1.1 Norwich Castle keep was constructed between 1090 and 1120. It has been identified as one of the most elaborate of the great Romanesque keeps in the whole of Europe and one of the most important secular buildings of its time. It is also one of the least well known of the great Norman keeps.
1.2 Although the main walls and external appearance have survived for nearly 900 years through a transformation from royal palace, several medieval sieges, life as a prison and museum, the interior has been steadily altered and gutted through time.
1.3 In the 1880s the architect Edward Boardman was confronted with a roofless stone shell. He inserted a new floor at a level where there was never a medieval floor (the current keep floor). He was also requested to re-instate the
58 original Norman main floor; a concept which was reduced to just a balcony, and which survives today.
1.4 Since becoming a museum in 1894, the keep has never been successfully displayed. The great open space and floor arrangement leaves visitors confused and unable to engage with the medieval building. The importance of the medieval architecture is not currently being conveyed to visitors.
1.5 Norwich Castle is a symbol of regional identity and deserves to be presented accordingly. Its potential as a visitor attraction is significant and should extend to attracting visitors from beyond the region.
2 Aim of the Project
2.1 The project aims to make Norwich Castle the premier tourist destination in the region. We look to substantially increase visitor numbers by 100,000 each year, in a sustainable way.
2.2 It is intended to provide a better, more meaningful, visitor experience for citizens of Norfolk and from further afield. Visitors will be able to engage with one of the most important architectural creations of the medieval period for the first time.
2.3 The project and the re-developed Castle will have a significant impact on the local economy, through the creation of real jobs and volunteering opportunities, both through the development phase and into the future.
2.4 The development will provide more space, which will enable better displays as improved opportunities for sustained income generation.
2.5 The greater space and interpretation of the building will enable significantly improved facilities for an outstanding learning and schools offer.
2.6 In partnership with the British Museum, the development will include a major museum of the medieval period: a British Museum Gallery at Norwich Castle.
3 Development of the project
3.1 Membership of the Norman Connections project between 2008 and 2014 enhanced knowledge and understanding of Norwich Castle. It also resulted in some limited re-display work, which was undertaken in 2013, using funding from the European Interreg IVa, in conjunction with the France-Channel programme. The enhanced interpretation of selected surviving features of the medieval building has proven popular with visitors and has served to inform future methods of interpretation.
3.2 The recent development of Dover Castle has shown how improved interpretation, re-creating the appearance of a castle at a chosen moment in
59 the castle’s past, can be highly effective. The new displays at the Kent site have seen visitor numbers rise from 320,000 to 480,000 visits per year. This figure has been sustained.
3.3 NMS have secured a partnership with the British Museum, through which the national museum has agreed to support the creation of a major new museum of the medieval period situated within the Keep. They will provide significant loans to enhance our own outstanding Designated collections.
4 Project proposal
4.1 It is proposed that the original Victorian vision of restoring the Keep main floor be realised, thus completing the vision of Boardman in 1887. The restoration of the floor might be complete or partial and this can be resolved by a process of ongoing consultation with the public and stakeholders.
4.2 It is proposed that the keep be presented to visitors as it appeared during the 12th century, when it was a Royal Castle, at the time of King Henry I.
4.3 The project should also include a British Museum Gallery of the medieval period, situated on the existing Victorian floor.
4.4 As part of the project, there will be a thorough archaeological investigation and recording of the building and that all subsequent periods of its history be given due respect and interpretation. These will include the different prison phases and also the Victorian interventions.
4.5 It is envisaged that the project will be undertaken and completed within a period of five years, through to 2018-19.
5 Resource implications
5.1 Funding is to be sought from the Heritage Lottery Fund and other external trusts and foundations.
6 Other implications
6.1 Equality Impact Assessment
6.1.1 NMS puts diversity, equality and community cohesion at the heart of service development and service delivery. It aims to ensure that activities included in the service plan are accessible to diverse groups in Norfolk and that all policies, practices and procedures undergo equality impact assessment. These assessments help the service focus on meeting the needs of customers in relation to age, disability, gender, race, religion and belief and sexual orientation.
60 6.2 Crime and Disorder Act
6.2.1 NMS is working hard to help address the issues of social exclusion, one of the key triggers for crime and disorder. The NMS provides services that are accessible to local people, encourage participation in cultural activities by people who are at risk of offending, engage offenders through a range of cultural projects, assist schools in improving pupil attainment and deliver opportunities to increase the number of people who are in education, employment or training. Through these and many other projects the NMS id using its resources to contribute towards reducing crime and disorder in Norfolk.
7 Risk assessment
7.1 The risks and issues associated with these proposals will be highlighted within the project management procedures.
8 Action required
8.1 Members of JMC are asked to provide permission for the project to proceed.
8.2 Members of JMC are asked to provide permission for a pre-application to be submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Officer Contact
If you have any questions about matters contained in this paper please get in touch with:
Dr John Davies, Chief Curator 01603 493630 [email protected]
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