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Minutes of the Museum Sub-Committee held on Wednesday 3rd October 2007
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE MUSEUM SUB-COMMITTEE HELD ON WEDNESDAY 3RD OCTOBER 2007 AT 7.00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, THE TOWN HALL, 9 DEVON SQUARE, NEWTON ABBOT
PRESENT
Councillor Mrs C. Bunday (Chairman) Presiding
A. Vizor (Vice-Chairman)
Councillors H.L.J. Cole
D. Corney-Walker
C. Davieson
Miss J. Fry
Mrs G. Gaskell
M. Hocking
D. Howe
K. Purchase
In attendance Felicity Cole – Museum Curator
Di Nicholls – St Leonard’s Tower Volunteer
Sarah McCandlish – Museum Volunteer
Phil Rowe – Town Clerk
Sam Scott – Office Administrator
M1. APOLOGIES.
Apologies for absence were received from the Mayor, Councillor K. Smith, Councillors Mrs G Leeper and Mrs S. Maddicott
MINUTES.
The Minutes of the Meeting of the Museum Sub-Committee held on 27th June 2007 were received and signed as a correct record.
MUSEUM CURATOR’S REPORT.
The Sub-Committee received copy of Mrs Cole’s report, copies of which had been circulated with the agenda and considered the following points: -
Signage for the Museum had been erected in various locations around Queen Street, but there was still need for more signage in Courtenay Street, and discussions are ongoing with TDC regarding the broken finger post beside Lloyds TSB.
Felicity Cole was to meet with Artist, Andrew Stacey to discuss a new sign for the Museum entrance, which would be visible from farther a field than the existing one. This should be in place by Easter 2008.
Preventative conservation measures, of which some are already in place and advice for items currently requiring more care to preserve their fragile state. In that context, the Museum Curator had been in communication with Helen Jaeschke of Exeter Museum to assess the current storage conditions in the museum, what improvements needed to be made and to gain advice about further funding that may be able to be obtained in order to partly support the costs that will be incurred.
Information was provided on Schools visits that had taken place and those that were planned for the future to make schools aware of the Museum and the services that it provided for the local schools.
Reference was made to recent Museum events included: -
• Markets & Memories Workshop held in July (arising from discussion on this item reference was made to the possible need for a clock in the Pannier Market. Members referred to an old railway clock which was considered surplus to requirements. The Curator undertook to investigate this issue).
• Oral Archive Training Day with Wren Music – to be held on 9th October
The Curator had attended a ‘Disaster Training Day’ in Exeter, and commented on how informative it had been, and that a tailored plan for the Newton Abbot Town Museum was in the process of being written.
The Curator had attended meetings of both the Devon Museums Group and Newton Abbot & District Community Plan in order to raise general awareness of the Museum and its current activities. The Newton Abbot & District Community Plan is being permitted to display 50 images from the Museum archive for their ‘flickr website’.
The Museum Curator commended the two ‘younger’ Museum volunteers that had been a tremendous help during the summer break, and that she was delighted to report that they would like to volunteer again in the future.
Growth of the Friends Group and increase in number of Volunteers who give great support to the day-to-day running of the Museum.
The Museum Friends meetings have re-commenced and will meet on a monthly basis until May 2008.
Future exhibitions:
2008 – Mr Bibbings photographic collection “Then and Now” exhibition –
2009 – John Lethbridge Diving exhibition
2009 – Historic Diving exhibition
2009 – Participation in national event celebrating the 200th Anniversary of Darwin
2010 – Possible ‘Sounds of Newton Abbot’
2011 – Possible Racecourse Exhibition
Possible events for 2008:
• An archaeological dig in Newton Abbot with the Curator of Brixham Museum, which could involve the local schools.
• A travelling exhibition of archaeological materials in 2009, together with the loan of some archaeological boxes to enhance the Museum exhibition.
• Filming a documentary of the history of Newton Abbot in collaboration with Mr Michael Martyn
The Curator reported on the departure of Doff Pollard (Arts Officer) from TDC. She reported on her invaluable assistance over the years. The Sub-Committee agreed that it would be appropriate for the Town Clerk to send a letter of thanks on behalf of the Newton Abbot Town Council.
The possibility of acquiring more spacious premises the re-site the Museum. The asset consolidation of TDC was mentioned and the possibility of Minerva House, becoming available. Councillor Corney-Walker confirmed that TDC will be contacting all parish and town councils in the near future, but the members felt it best that the Sub-Committee be proactive in their approach and contact TDC first.
Confirmation of the Museum’s closure from 28th September 2007 and reopening on 12th February 2008 with a new display.
Noted the recent donations to the Museum, including financial ones.
At the conclusion of the Museum Curator’s presentation, the Chairman, on behalf of the members, thanked Felicity for her presentation and recorded her thanks to all of the Volunteers, who assist at Newton Abbot Museum.
M4. ST. LEONARD’S TOWER.
The Sub-Committee was pleased to note the enormous success of the Tower opening this year and the members expressed their sincere thanks to all of the volunteers: Ken Ballamy, Councillor Purchase and his wife Dulcie, Councillor Cole, Di Nicholls and Fred Tozer.
The sales of the Tower pamphlet had increased this year, and this was reflected in the income statement circulated amongst members.
The Museum Curator has been in communication with Rev. Chamberlain, St. Mary’s Wolborough Church regarding the new bell ropes for St Leonard’s Tower and was assured that they were on order. However, as the company normally waits until they receive a large batch of orders, delivery of the ropes can be expected in February / March 2008.
Councillor Cole raised an issue on behalf of one of the St Leonard’s Tower volunteers, Fred Tozer regarding the possibility of the pull-arms in the clock tower being placed onto brackets on either side of the stocks, just inside the door. Councillor David Howe confirmed that he would assess the viability of this request.
The Curator suggested that provision be made for a ‘rolling maintenance programme’ to be initiated to create a better ‘feel’ to the building, starting with the ceiling and lighting. The Chairman agreed to this suggestion.
Councillor Howe expressed his concern regarding the Wolborough Street/Bank Street pedestrianisation and requested that the Curator remain in communication with DCC to ensure that the developments that are to be undertaken around the area of St Leonard’s Tower do not vary from the original plan.
M5. INCOME AND EXPENDITURE.
The Sub-Committee noted the statement circulated with the Agenda showing income and expenditure between 1st April 2007 and 26th September 2007 showing a net expenditure of £12,666.54 out of a budget of £35,000.
The Clerk explained to the Sub-Committee that although the expenditure was still reasonably low at the present time, past trends of Museum expenditure have been erratic and that the balance of £23,333.46 is likely to be spent in the latter half of the financial year now that the Museum has closed for preparations for the forthcoming year and conservation works.
The Clerk also asked members to note the net figures included in the financial statement as a more accurate indicator of expenditure, as a large proportion of the vat paid on purchases is recoverable.
The Sub-Committee was also very pleased to note the income generated by St Leonard’s Tower.
BUDGET REQUIREMENTS FOR 2008/9
The Clerk reminded the members of the importance of taking into account a contingency plan when considering the budget for 2008/9.
The Clerk also indicated to the members that although there had been a trend for under spending over the past three years, an increase in the budget for 2008/9 was required in order to achieve the best possible standards of conservation and care, together with the need for more modern equipment in the Museum.
The Museum Curator circulated to the Sub-Committee a statement of projected costs over the 2007/08 to 2010/11 financial years reflecting a variety interesting plans for the future (as referred to in minute M3 above). The Curator requested a provision to be made for future exhibits to be purchased, and for staff training to be considered, (the Museum Curator and the 24 Museum volunteers).
A figure of £38,500 was suggested by the Clerk (an increase of £3,500); a figure of £39,000 was proposed by Councillor Mike Hocking and seconded by Councillor Alan Vizor. The vote was carried 8 for 1 against and 1 abstention.
Therefore, a budget of £39,000 for the period 2008/9 was proposed.
STRATEGIC WORKING PARTY
The Committee noted the reports of Strategic Working Party meetings held on 18th July and 5th September 2007 (previously circulated).
LATE CORRESPONDENCE.
Nil.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING.
It was agreed that the next meeting of the Sub-Committee be held on 13th February 2008.