The Museum Director introduced the report and set out the preferred option for the capital expenditure, which was to improve the British archaeology gallery utilising the generous offer of £100,000 from the William and Edith Oldham Charitable Fund, which the Maidstone Museum Foundation had been asked to match. The Kent Archaeological Society had expressed an enthusiastic interest in working in partnership on the refurbishment. A 5-year plan was being prepared for the Committee to review, which would include governance arrangements at the Museum.

Following feedback, the Head of Regeneration and Economic Development recommended that the capital expenditure should be used to develop a new archaeological gallery, and suggested further reports on the governance of the Museum and timescale in which any changes could be implemented.

In response to questions, the Head of Regeneration and Economic Development explained that legal advice had been sought to explore options for future governance of the Museum which would be presented to the Committee. The Bentlif Trust and the Brenchley Charity would be invited to contribute towards the plans for the refurbishment of the gallery.

RESOLVED: That

1.  The preferred option to invest in a new, modern archaeological gallery with interactive digital displays, located in the Withdrawing Room be approved and a further report be presented to the Committee once draft designs have been commissioned;

2.  The generous offer from the William and Edith Oldham Charitable Trust and the Maidstone Museum Foundation be acknowledged with grateful thanks, and that the Maidstone Museum Foundation be asked to raise matched funding;

3.  A 5-year business plan be presented to the Committee before March 2022;

4.  A report setting out the governance arrangements needed to deliver the 20-year plan be presented to the Committee; and

5.  A report be brought back to the Committee in January 2022 to set out a simplistic timeline for the design and implementation of the new gallery and options for governance arrangements.