Agenda item

Report of the Town Clerk

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk updating the Committee on restoration activity in respect of the Gresham Music Collection and other Collections. The Chairman introduced the item, drawing Members’ attention to the findings of the Collection Survey and noting the estimated costs of conservation work on the remaining items of the Collection. The Chairman commented that Members may consider the current context of Service Committee savings targets in assessing whether a funding bid for the conservation work would be appropriate, adding that he was advised that a decision to defer progression of a funding bid would not result in further deterioration of the works. The Committee further noted confirmation in the report that the Gresham Collection was the property of Gresham College.

Members felt that further information in respect of the Collection was required for an informed decision on the appropriateness of further conservation work, such as the rarity and value of individual pieces, noting that the least valuable items may not justify conservation. The Town Clerk advised that some additional information had been sought from the Guildhall Library, and informed the Committee that a high-level estimate valued the entire Collection at around £1.5million, with an average value per item of around £1,000. A more detailed breakdown of item values had not been undertaken.

In light of this, Members commented that it may be preferable to prioritise the most valuable items, given the conservation work already undertaken on the Music Collection, with the remaining items considered selectively. The Committee agreed that a decision on a bid for funding for the restoration of the remainder of the Collection should be deferred, in order that the views of the Mercers’ Side on the proposals be sought at the Joint Grand Gresham Committee, and that more detailed information on the Collection, particularly with regards to the value and importance of individual items, be collected.

RESOLVED – That the Gresham (City Side) Committee:

1. Note the findings of the Collection survey; and

2. Defer the consideration of a bid for funding for the restoration of the remainder of the Collection to the next meeting of the Committee.