Agenda item

To consider a report from DCA Consultants on an Options Appraisal and Feasibility Study for the Museum and Art Gallery.

The Committee considered a report from DCA Consultants on an Options Appraisal and Feasibility Study for the Museum and Art Gallery.

The report indicated that DCA Consultants of Birmingham had been appointed in June 2013 to carry out the study. Following presentation of their initial findings on the options available, the Joint Committee recommended that the consultants draw up a business plan for the use of the lower floor of the Museum and Art Gallery (MAG) based on the concept of a children's museum.

The feasibility study identified the key considerations in the installation of a Children's Museum or Gallery in the space, addressed the size and nature of the market, visitor numbers and pricing, architectural considerations and costs and potential funding.

The report painted a picture of an exciting new attraction for Worcester that would also address the budgetary pressures faced by the museum service over the next three years. There were however a number of other options still under consideration by the City Council. It was therefore recommended that the report be referred to the City Council for further consideration at this stage.

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

·         The consultants had experience of Heritage Lottery bids so it was promising that they considered that this project was suitable for such a bid. It was clear from the consultants' report that 'mothballing' of the ground floor of the building would be too expensive. The question however was where the £2m funding would be sought. The Museums General Manager commented that it was anticipated that there would be a shortfall in funding for the project of £300k. It would therefore be necessary to undertake a fund-raising drive. There were a number of organisations that would be interested in supporting a children's facility such as the one proposed. However the service would need to provide an up-front commitment to the project before any bidding process could be commenced

·         The Corporate Director – Worcester City Council advised that the Joint Committee should consider the proposals in respect of the museums service, although they were aware of other issues at the City Council relating to the use of the MAG. It was therefore suggested that the Joint Committee agree the Children's Museum as the preferred approach for future development of the MAG. In addition, the future use of the building had not yet been discussed by the City Council therefore it was proposed to seek agreement from the City Council to develop the site for a Children's Museum

·         Part of the attraction of facilities for children was the ability to access outside space. Did the lack of such space at the MAG distract from the attraction to visitors? The Museums General Manager commented that the way the building had been designed enabled ample opportunity for children to 'let off steam' within the fabric of the building

·         There was a possibility that the City Council would wish to use the ground floor of the building for other purposes. Did the service have an alternative plan? The Corporate Director – Service Delivery, Worcester City Council stated that work had commenced on this project before the alternative use had been suggested by the City Council. There were other costed proposals set out in the consultants' report and the Joint Committee would need to refer back to these should circumstances change

·         At the moment the plan for a Children's Museum had been recommended to the Joint Committee and a decision should be made on this plan irrespective of what Worcester City Council decided to do

·         It was important that should the Children's Museum be agreed as the preferred approach that it delivered the permanent viable solution for the MAG

·         It was proposed that the Museums General Manager be requested to report back to the Joint Committee at an appropriate time on the proposals for the use of the ground floor at the MAG following discussions at the City Council.

RESOLVED that

a)    the report from DCA Consultants on an Options Appraisal and Feasibility Study for the Museum and Art Gallery be received;

b)    the Children's Museum be agreed as the preferred approach for future development of the MAG to deliver the permanent financially viable solution for the MAG;

c)    the report be referred to Worcester City Council, as owners of the Museum and Art Gallery building, for further consideration; and

d)     the Museums General Manager be requested to report back to the Joint Committee at an appropriate time on the proposals for the use of the ground floor at the MAG following discussions at the City Council.