Issue - meetings

That the museum’s application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund be approved and the Deputy Chief Executive in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Heritage be authorised to accept and utilise any funding allocated in line with the bid.

The Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Heritage and Culture introduced a report updating Cabinet on The museum’s national lottery heritage funding bid for 2025-27 and to seek approval to accept the funding, should the bid be successful.

The bid that had been put forward was for £98,000.  The museum had put the previous funding to good use  with, amongst other things the many events put on for the Borough’s 850^th Anniversary and delivering a 60% increase (90,000 visitors) in footfall for the museum. They increased income by 229% compared to 2019/20 and had won several awards throughout the year and were now in line for  national recognition for the ‘Small Visitors Attraction’.

Some of the funding would be used for a ‘Friend of the museum’ scheme which would be a match-funding scheme to bring growth to the funding.

The Leader referred to the museum’s status within the Borough and being central to its heritage.  The funding would help the museum to grow further and benefit the Council’s net zero plans.

Resolved:    That the museum’s application to the National Lottery Heritage

Fund be approved and the Deputy Chief Executive in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Heritage be authorised to accept and utilise any funding allocated in line with the bid.

Watch the debate here