Agenda item

The Joint Committee received an update on the Commandery Business Plan.

In the ensuing debate, the following principal points were raised:

·         The public needed to be informed of the significance of the changes being made to the visitor offer at the Commandery

·         Phillipa Tinsley advised that a number of blacksmiths had been asked to submit designs for the iron gates for the entrance to the Commandery. One of the entries would be selected as the final design. In response to a query, she confirmed that it would no longer be necessary for the gates to include anti-climb features

·         Had any insulation measures been included in the maintenance work for the Commandery? Phillipa Tinsley commented that previous efforts to improve accessibility had made the building colder. As part of the refurbishment, amendments were proposed for the wheelchair users route and as a result, a number of doors that had had to be kept open could be closed and therefore more heat would be retained in the building

·         Had user groups and in particular local groups been consulted on the plans for the Commandery? Phillipa Tinsley commented that user groups had been consulted at every stage of the design process, particularly the Museums Officer Group who had paid for an access audit. There was a period up to the grand opening that would provide an opportunity to review the proposed changes and involve local user groups

·         Consideration should be given to making a reference to the history of by-elections in the proposed displays

·         In response to a suggestion, Phillipa Tinsley agreed to contact colleagues in Worcester, Massachusetts to see if they were in possession of any of artefacts that belonged to the Museums Service that could be put on display

·         In response to a query, Helen Large indicated that the  public opening of the Commandery would be on 1 July 2017 with a VIP opening on 29 July to coincide with the opening of the Cathedral Square

·         Iain Rutherford commented that a branding exercise had been undertaken and shared with the public. Helen Large was working with the site manager to devise an events programme. The target was to increase the number of visits to the building

·         Iain Rutherford indicated that further funding would be sought from the Arts Council to support the learning and community links. A limited amount of funds had been set aside to improve the retail offer at the Commandery, in particular looking at introducing new stock and improving the layout

·         Iain Rutherford stated that it was anticipated that the wedding hire business would out-perform the four year projection by DCA Consultants. In response to a query, he indicated that there would be a menu which would outline the different wedding packages available to customers. It was difficult to incorporate a wedding hire facility without any impact on the museum service however he believed that it was possible for the two income streams to co-exist

·         Was the intention still to keep the building closed during January? Iain Rutherford confirmed that that was the intention particularly given the state of the heating system in the building. However, should school visitor numbers increase to a significant extent, this approach might be reviewed

·         In response to a query, Iain Rutherford confirmed that links would be established with the Guildhall with respect to improvements to the marketing of the wedding hire offer. Hartlebury Museum would also be contacted but this would take longer due to progress with the redevelopment work at Hartlebury

·         Were potential customers being given an impression of how the Commandery might look like for a wedding? Iain Rutherford indicated that a local florist had offered to dress the room for pictures to be included in the wedding hire brochure for the Commandery

·         Iain Rutherford undertook to arrange a trip for members of the Joint Committee to visit the Commandery in due course when the displays were completed.

RESOLVED that:

a)    the progress made in preparing the Commandery for the relaunch of the building's visitor offer following the capital investment be noted; and

b)    the update to the business plan for the Commandery for 2017-18 be authorised and the revisions to the detailed Commandery budget as set out in the report be authorised.