Minutes Public Pack, 15/06/2026 Museum Committee

Noted · Received for information; no decision followed.

Museum Committee decided to accept the Museum and NPO Update report and recommend it for approval by Cabinet, hearing that annual visitor attendance had exceeded the previous year by 3,848. p9p29

The Committee also decided to accept the Collections Report and recommend it for approval by Cabinet, hearing updates on pest management, an audit of the Upper Durbar Hall collection, and preparations for the return of the Hastings Embroidery for display at the Town Hall between August and October. p30p31p32p38

On the Community Panel update, members heard that the Panel had reviewed exhibition proposals and processes, and had suggested increasing the number of exhibitions, though three major exhibitions were already delivered each year and technical capacity was limited to one part-time technician. p39p40

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• p94. MUSEUM AND NPO UPDATE REPORT Alice Roberts-Pratt, Museum and Collections Manager, presented the museum report. Annual visitor attendance had exceeded the previous year by 3848. Shop income was £1,964 as of May, with an achievable £20,000 target by year end. Nine weddings had been secured, which would generate valuable income through use of the Durbar Hall. Hire income totalled £2,202, which was greater than the same period last year. Donations currently amounted to £450, with contactless payments having increased contributions alongside cash donations.
• p29RESOLVED (unanimously) To accept the report and recommend approval by Cabinet.
• p305. COLLECTIONS REPORT The Museum and Collections Manager provided an update on collections management and activity. Pest management investigations had identified potential entry points in storage areas, including gaps in doors and roof spaces. Plans were underway to seal the gaps and to replace the door to the roof to prevent further infestations. Temperature and relative humidity were within acceptable ranges across the museum. The temperature and lux monitor would be moved from the Walkway Gallery to the Seaside Gallery to collect data for the forthcoming British Museum loan.
• p31The Bayeux Around Britain programme launch event was held at the Hastings Museum and Art Gallery. The Stothart Cast, derived from the tapestry, would be loaned to the museum for display as part of the programme. Preparations were also underway for the return of the Hastings Embroidery, created in 1966, which would be brought back from storage in London for display at the Town Hall between August and October.
• p32Collections management work included an audit of the Upper Durbar Hall collection which involved detailed work to identify, catalogue and record objects, some of which lacked accession details. Further work included assessing and retrieving maps held offsite, with plans for digitisation subject to funding. Loan activity included an approved request from Chatham Historic Dockyard for a J.M.W Turner painting and additional marine biology objects. Recent acquisitions included a publication created by a home education group and a historic fisherman’s textile item.
• p38RESOLVED (unanimously) To accept the report and recommend approval by Cabinet.
• p396. COMMUNITY PANEL UPDATE On behalf of Lorna Hamilton-Brown, the Museum and Collections Manager reported that the Community Panel had reviewed exhibition proposals and processes. Relevant information had been identified on the website, and improvements to accessibility were planned.
• p40The Panel had suggested increasing the number of exhibitions, however three major exhibitions were already delivered each year and required significant time and organisation. Technical capacity was limited to one part-time technician who also undertook front of house duties. Hiring opportunities in the upper walkway had been identified as a potential income stream but would be difficult to deliver with current staffing resources. The Panel had also planned a visit to the Mint House off-site store in Pevensey.