Decision details

Future of the Heritage Service

Decision Maker: Executive

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: No

Decision:

(1)  That approval be given to the Heritage Service moving to a more commercial approach (also referred to as a cultural enterprise model) to attract greater income and make the Heritage Service as financially self-sustaining as possible.

 

(2)  That approval be given to the carrying out of works at The Collection building to develop it into a flexible space capable of hosting and displaying a range of art and archaeology including major touring exhibitions.

 

(3)  That approval be given to Lincolnshire County Council giving two years notice to the City of Lincoln Council to terminate the collections management agreement dated 31 January 2001 and the return of the collections owned by the City of Lincoln Council to the City of Lincoln Council.

 

(4)  That subject to paragraph 5 below, approval be given to Lincolnshire County Council continuing to explore with the City of Lincoln Council and third parties the potential for third party operation of the Usher Gallery in whole or in part as an art gallery.

 

(5)  That the Council's continued exploration under paragraph 4 above shall be conditional on:-

 

·       there being a sustainable business case for third party operation of the Usher Gallery building or part of it as an art gallery to the satisfaction of the Council not later than 31 October 2019;

·       there being demonstrable progress towards the securing of all necessary funding and the obtaining of all necessary consents and the conclusion of any necessary contracts and other legal documentation to the satisfaction of the Council not later than 31 December 2019;

·       there being no later than 31 May 2020 final agreement on the terms of any legal documentation involving the County Council and clear evidence to the satisfaction of the Council that operation of the Usher Gallery building or part of it as an art gallery will commence not later than 31 July 2020; and

·       operation of the Usher Gallery building or part of it as an art gallery commencing not later than 31 July 2020.

 

(6)  That approval be given to Lincolnshire County Council continuing until the expiry of the notice given under recommendation 3 above to explore with the City of Lincoln Council alternative permitted uses of the Usher Gallery by the County Council alongside or in replacement for an art offer.

 

(7)  That approval be given to Lincolnshire County Council ceasing to operate the Usher Gallery as an art gallery on the expiry of the notice given under recommendation 3 above or a third party commencing operation of the Usher Gallery building or part of it as an art gallery whichever is the earlier.

 

(8)  That approval be given to serving notice on English Heritage in October 2019 to terminate the lease of Gainsborough Old Hall in October 2020 with Lincolnshire County Council ceasing to manage and operate the Old Hall in October 2020.

 

(9)  That approval be given to the retention of the Museum of Lincolnshire Life, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitors Centre and Heckington Windmill as part of the Lincolnshire County Council heritage offer.

(10)    That approval be given to the County Council working with third party     organisations with a view to a third party organisation taking on       responsibility for Discover Stamford, Ellis Windmill, Burgh le Marsh        Windmill and Alford Windmill .

 

(11)    That the Executive Director – Place be delegated authority, in           consultation with the Executive Councillor for Culture and Emergency   Services, to take all future steps and decisions relating to the implementation of the above decisions including any decision to give           the Council's notice to terminate the Collections Agreement and to    determine whether the conditions specified in recommendation 5   have been met.

Report author: Nicole Hilton

Publication date: 05/09/2019

Date of decision: 03/09/2019

Decided at meeting: 03/09/2019 - Executive

Accompanying Documents:

 

 
 
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