Councillor Russell, the Lead Member for Leisure and Arts,
introduced a report reviewing the governance arrangements in
respect of the Maidstone Museums. The
Lead Member explained that it was considered that this was not the
time for a change in the governance arrangements especially having
regard to the new gallery plans. It was
therefore proposed that the existing governance arrangements should
continue in place, but with some minor modifications and a further
review within a timescale to be determined.
In
response to a question, the Lead Member said that she had met with
the Trustees of the Bentlif Wing. The
Trustees were looking to recruit some new Trustees and that might
provide an opportunity to improve relations with them
further.
The
Committee supported the proposals set out in the report and wished
to add a further recommendation that the governance arrangements in
respect of the Maidstone Museums be reviewed in three years’
time.
RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE LEAD MEMBER FOR LEISURE AND
ARTS:
1. That Maidstone
Museum and Maidstone Carriage Museum (collectively known as
Maidstone Museums) remain as directly provided services within
Maidstone Borough Council.
2. That Maidstone
Museums continue to work with the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent
Regiment Trust and the Bentlif Wing Trust.
3. That Officers
ascertain the intention of the Trustees of the Brenchley Trust in
relation to the future of this Trust.
4. That
arrangements with the Maidstone Museums’ Foundation and Kent
Archaeological Society be formalised by means of Memoranda of
Understanding.
5. That the
governance arrangements in respect of the Maidstone Museums be
reviewed in three years’ time.