Issue - meetings

Report of the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries asking Members to consider the best route forward with proposals to hold wedding ceremonies at Keats House.

The Director of Visitor Services reported that at a recent Keats House Consultative Committee meeting and at a special residents meeting, there had been strong feeling against the proposals from a small group. He added that the majority of the local population remained neutral.

The Director drew attention to the current budget deficit at Keats House and highlighted the importance of the House generating its own income. He added that some residents had suggested alternative ways of raising money for the House and officers felt these should be explored prior to going ahead with the wedding plans.

In response to a Member's question, the Principal Curator advised that she anticipated less disruption from a wedding ceremony than from some of the existing private events at the House.

RESOLVED, That:

a)    officers be tasked to undertake a feasibility assessment of alternative fundraising plans suggested by local residents and report back to the Committee at the first meeting of the New Year; and

b)    the decision regarding whether to hold wedding ceremonies at Keats House be delayed pending the above mentioned report.

Report of the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries setting out proposals for wedding ceremonies to be held at Keats House and how these would be managed to protect the House and its collection whilst generating additional income.

The Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries outlined the financial context to the proposals, highlighting cuts to the City Corporation's funding and the current budget deficit at Keats House.

The representative of Keats Grove Residents Association felt that the current proposals would not be popular with the local population and that they would not have a great impact on the budget deficit. She listed parking noise, the fragile nature of the building, and the deed of the house.

Another Member noted the major concession of there being no proposal to hold receptions within the report.

In response to a Member's question, the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries highlighted that a review was built into the proposals.

Some Members felt that the City Corporation should explore the expansion of the retail operation onto to the internet, noting the large worldwide following of Keats and the strength of the Keats Brand.

In response to a Member's query on the National Trust Partnership, the Principal Curator undertook to do a survey of numbers and income generated via this relationship.

Members noted the Keats Foundation had not been as successful as it was hoped in generating support for the House.

The Chairman thanked Members for their contribution to the discussion and assured the Committee that the matter would be discussed thoroughly at the Culture, Heritage and Libraries meeting on 28 October, before a decision on the proposals would be made.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries setting out proposals for wedding ceremonies to be