Proposals to bring Scarborough’s museums and gallery service in-house which could save taxpayers money are due to be considered by councillors.
We own Scarborough Art Gallery, Rotunda Museum and Woodend Gallery and Studios, along with their collections.
The day-to-day management of the buildings has been outsourced to the Scarborough Museums Creative and Cultural Trust (SMCCT) since 2005, but the charity has since asked the council to explore the option of bringing the service back into the authority.
Executive member for culture and arts, Cllr Simon Myers, whose responsibilities include museums, said: “These buildings are cultural assets that are enjoyed by local communities and visitors alike and are an important part of the town’s tourism offering.
“It is vital that we do everything we can to protect and enhance these assets, as well as their collections and the displays on show.
“The council has significant expertise in this area with our culture and archives service currently managing museums, galleries and cultural venues elsewhere across the county.
“Emulating this model in Scarborough represents an opportunity to save taxpayers money and protect the future of the town’s museums and galleries.”
Options as to the best future delivery for the service are due to be discussed by members of the council’s Executive on Tuesday, 18 March.
They include transferring the day-to-day running and management of Scarborough’s museums and galleries back in-house, to be incorporated into the council’s wider culture and archives service.
Museums and galleries in Harrogate and Skipton, including Craven Museum and the Royal Pump Room, are among the award-winning cultural sites already run by us.
It is estimated that the move could provide annual savings of more than £50,000 with support service and management costs reduced.
The report also identifies that, to allow necessary repairs to be completed, the Rotunda Museum - one of the oldest purpose-built museums still in use in the UK - may temporarily close at some point in the next year.
An alternative proposed option for the running of the Scarborough venues could see the council provide additional financial and management support to assist the trust.
Officers are continuing to work alongside the trust and its staff during the period of decision-making.
The chair of the Scarborough Museums Creative and Cultural Trust that currently runs the museum and art galleries, Sally Gorham, said, “All of the trustees have been impressed by North Yorkshire Council’s commitment to arts and culture.
“With the economic pressures facing the trust we believe handing the service back to the council offers the best guarantee for the future.”