Issue - meetings

ORDERED that Executive:

1.    Approve the exploration of a new museum with external partners that could replace the CCBM within Stewart Park in the longer term;

2.    Approve the continued operation of the CCBM in 2024/25 on the basis that the required saving of £0.100m for 2024/25 had been met by a permanent reduction in staffing and that this saving was ongoing;

3.    Approve the continued operation of the CCBM in 2025/26 and 2026/27 subject to securing external revenue support of £0.150m per annum. Failure to secure this funding would result in closure of the CCBM and the transfer of some or all of the collection to the Dorman Museum; and

4.    Approves a reduction in the required saving from the CCBM from £0.345m to £0.303m in 2025/26 and 2026/27 on condition that the remainder of the saving £0.042m will be found within the Regeneration budget via a senior management review.

The Executive Member for Development submitted a report for Executive consideration.

The purpose of the report was fourfold:

1.    To bring Executive’s attention to the exploration of a new museum with external partners that could replace the CCBM within Stewart Park in the longer term;

2.    To advise Executive that the continued operation of the CCBM in 2024/25 on the basis that the required saving of £0.100m for 2024/25 had been met by a permanent reduction in staffing and that this saving was ongoing;

3.    To advice Executive that the continued operation of the CCBM in 2025/26 and 2026/27 was subject to securing external revenue support of £0.150m per annum. Failure to secure this funding would have resulted in the closure of the CCBM and the transfer of some or all of the collection to the Dorman Museum;

4.    To seek approval for a reduction in the required saving from the CCBM from £0.345m to £0.303m in 2025/26 and 2026/27 on condition that the remainder of the saving £0.042m will be found within the Regeneration budget via a senior management review.

Up to 2024, the Captain Cook Birthplace Museum was previously open for 7 months of the year (April – October) but was only open to the public during school holidays in the same period.  A paid-for museum, it welcomed approximately 5,500 visitors a year, with an additional 35,500 people visiting the café and shop housed in the same building. The Cook Museum hosted a café tenant ‘Cook’s Café’ currently on a rolling lease. Any potential closure or change of operator of the building would impact upon this.

The Dorman Museum was open 6 days a week (Tuesday to Sunday) throughout the year and welcomed around 80,000 visitors per annum. 

School workshops took place at both venues across the year during term time with 3,500 visits in 23/24. The museums featured permanent exhibits, alongside a programme of changing exhibitions and special events, including those aimed at key audiences e.g. families.

As an Accredited Museum Service, and a member of the Tees Valley Museums Group (National Portfolio Organisation), the service had a commitment to care for its 250,000-strong collection in line with industry standards and to make these collections accessible to the public.

There was a single staffing structure which operated both museums. This structure was reviewed in 2023, but some positions had never been advertised due to the savings requirement.  The current structure included a Museums Manager, Visitor Operations Manager, Collections Officer, Visitor Experience Coordinator (vacant), Visitor Experience Assistants (x 4), Cultural Support Officer, Senior Learning & Engagement Officer, and Learning & Engagement Officer.  The permanent team were supported by casual staff where required. The following two posts on the staffing establishment had been held vacant in order to support the saving requirement:

·         Senior Collections Officer – Full time, Grade I

·         Creative Programmes Manager – Full time, Grade K

During the 2024/25 budget setting process, in response to the financial challenges facing the Council, a proposal was put out to public consultation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46