Town's museums could be taken over by council
The running of Scarborough's museums and galleries could be handed back to a council after being operated by a charity for two decades.
Scarborough Art Gallery, the Rotunda Museum and Woodend Gallery and Studios and their collections are owned by North Yorkshire Council, but since 2005 their day-to-day management has been handled by Scarborough Museums Creative and Cultural Trust (SMCCT).
However, the trust said that arrangement was no longer viable and had asked the council to explore if it could take over their running.
Sally Gorham, SMCCT chair, said: "With the economic pressures facing the trust, we believe handing the service back to the council offers the best guarantee for the future."
Options to be discussed by councillors later this month included incorporating the running and management of the museums and galleries into the council's wider culture and archives service, according to North Yorkshire Council.
It was estimated the move could provide annual savings of more than £50,000, with support service and management costs reduced, a council spokesperson said.
Museums and galleries in Harrogate and Skipton, including Craven Museum and the Royal Pump Room, are among the award-winning cultural sites already run by the authority.
Ms Gorham said: "All the trustees have been impressed by North Yorkshire Council's commitment to arts and culture."
Simon Myers, the council's executive member for culture and arts, said Scarborough's museums and galleries were "cultural assets enjoyed by local communities and visitors".
"It is vital we do everything we can to protect and enhance these assets, as well as their collections and the displays on show," he said.
Myers added that if the move went ahead, it would present an opportunity to "save taxpayers money and protect the future of the town's museums and galleries".
An alternative proposal for the running of the venues could see the council provide additional financial and management support to SMCCT.
North Yorkshire Council officers were continuing to work alongside the charity and its staff during the period of decision-making, the council spokesperson said.
A report to be considered by councillors also identified that, to allow necessary repairs to be completed, the Rotunda Museum could be temporarily closed at some point in the next year.
The future running of the museums is due to be discussed by members of the council's executive on Tuesday 18 March.
Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Scarborough historic museum to undergo repairs
Scarborough Museums and Galleries
North Yorkshire Council
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
New road plans to be examined at public enquiry
A public inquiry is to be held into plans to build the North Hykeham relief road near Lincoln. The new road would link the A46 with the Lincoln Eastern Bypass, completing the ring road network around the city. At the enquiry, proposals will be put before an independent planning inspector who will hear evidence before deciding if Lincolnshire County Council can purchase land and gain access to other sites. Those objecting to having their land used or purchased will have the opportunity to put forward arguments. The inquiry starts on 1 July at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Lincoln and is due to last two weeks. Objections to the new road have been received from agricultural landowners, businesses and statutory bodies, according to the council. Councillor Michael Cheyne, executive member for highways, said: "Despite an inquiry being required, we are continuing to progress with the scheme with the intention of starting construction works later this year. "This scheme is essential to supporting the growth of the area and keeping the county moving, so I look forward to seeing work commence soon." According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the majority of funding towards the project has yet to be confirmed. The new Reform UK administration has confirmed that it will keep the county council's commitment to providing the remaining £90m. If construction starts on time, the road is expected to be opened by late 2028. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Land purchase agreed for last section of ring road Final section of city ring-road wins approval Final stretch of bypass recommended for approval Local Democracy Reporting Service
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Development partner sought for listed building
A Grade II* listed building could be transferred to a housing developer after original plans to transform the site failed. Kirklees Council had earmarked Estate Buildings, near the George Hotel and railway station in Huddersfield, for housing. Government cash of £1.25m was secured for enabling works and the council had entered into an agreement with Thirteen Group to deliver social housing at the site. However, the housing provider has since withdrawn from the scheme due to risk within the sector, leaving the council looking for alternatives. The council has acknowledged that it would be "very challenging" and expensive for a developer to convert the building but hoped to reduce costs and make it a "more attractive" opportunity through government cash. Estate Buildings dates back to the late 1800s and was designed by Huddersfield architect W.H Crossland. The entrance hall, staircase and first-floor waiting rooms feature wall panelling, decorative stained glass and intricately carved fireplaces. The council said many of the features would be retained through any redevelopment. The agreement with the Thirteen Group would have also involved developing Somerset Buildings on Byram Street and, once completed, the group could have purchased the building at market value. The council now wants to appoint a development partner who would enter into a building lease with the council and take on the freehold for Estate Buildings once construction was complete. The move would generate additional council tax of up to £95,000 per year and some savings by reducing the costs associated with holding the building, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. In 2023-24, the council spent £29,000 on gas, electric, intruder and fire alarms and rodent controls at Estate Buildings. A decision on whether to proceed with the new approach will be made by the council's cabinet on Tuesday. If the council is not in a contract to deliver homes by 31 March 2028, some or all of the £1.25m government grant would have to be repaid. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Kirklees Council New homes plan approved for town centre building
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Scam warning over government energy-saving grant
People hoping to get free energy-saving upgrades to their homes as part of a government scheme could be targeted by scammers, councillors have warned. Bradford Council has been awarded more than £7m as part of the Warm Homes fund to improve energy efficiency in some of the district's poorest insulated homes. However, concerns have been raised that householders could fall victim to rogue companies posing as official council contractors. Kamran Hussain, the council's spokesman for neighbourhoods and community safety, urged the council officers to "make sure safeguarding is put in place so that these companies are not scamming customers". "Over the years, we have found that many people have been stung through grants that have been implied as coming through the council," Hussain said at a meeting. He said work had in fact been carried out by private companies that were not part of government funding, leading to a "very large bill". Susan Hinchcliffe, leader of the council, said: "If a householder is asked to pay something, it is not a council scheme." She said the council should give out clear information about the programme to ensure residents are not misled. Council officers said the local authority would directly manage the scheme, selecting a single contractor to do the work through official processes. Bradford Council had applied for £27 million from the Government's new Warm Homes scheme but, despite receiving less than requested, it still secured the largest grant awarded to any single council. The authority hopes the project will mirror the success of a previous scheme, which upgraded 635 homes in Bradford with roof and underfloor insulation in 2022 and 2023, and was praised by government officials as a model project. Sarah Ferriby, the council's executive member for healthy people and places, said: "The work will make these homes a lot more comfortable, reduce their fuel bills, and assist in reducing carbon emissions." The scheme will roll out over the next three years, with additional funding potentially available if Bradford exceeds its delivery targets. The funding comes from a £500m national pot for energy performance upgrades and better heating for people living in some of the worst quality privately owned and rented homes. The free work could include new insulation, solar panels or an air source heat pump if suitable. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Warning after trader pretends to be council worker Residents warned over 'real menace' rogue traders
