Agenda item

Joint report of the Assistant Town Clerk/Culture Mile Director and the Commissioner, City of London Police.

Members considered a joint report of the Town Clerk and City of London Police, which sought to clarify governance arrangements for the City of London Police Museum. In response to questions, Members noted that the visitor figures for the Museum had exceeded the Heritage Lottery Fund target.  The Cultural and Visitor Development Director advised that the volunteers were former police officers, with a great wealth of experience, and this helped to bring the exhibition to life.  Members asked if Livery companies could assist with promoting the Gallery and Museum, and whether officers could provide anything to share with them.  There was a further suggestion  that front of house staff be briefed to proactively refer visitors between the museum and Guildhall Art Gallery.

RESOLVED, that –

1.      The governance structure outlined in this report, namely that the business strategy for the City of London Police Museum and the cost of the staffing, accommodation and business operations, sit under the governance of the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee for a period of three years (until 14 November 2021); and that ownership of the Museum collection, and costs pertaining to its rotation within the Museum and its conservation, as well as the recruitment of volunteers for Museum business, fall under the governance of the Police Committee.

2.      Subject to approval of the above, authority be delegated to the Assistant Town Clerk and Culture Mile Director for the management and staffing of the Museum, and to the Commissioner, City of London Police, for the management of the Museum Collection.

3.      Subject to the approval of both recommendations above, the re-establishment of the officer-led Museum Board be approved (with representation from both departments) to manage the day-to-day running of the Museum, under the delegated authority proposed, noting major projects, expenditure, or changes to the running of the Museum business will be referred to the relevant Committee(s) through the delegated Chief Officers, as appropriate.

4.      Commercial hire fees be waived for the City Police, should they wish to use the Museum space for a private reception or tour, noting that for out-of-hours use, any costs incurred will need to be recovered from the City Police.