Museum Committee minutes
Item by item
- 8. Apologies for Absence
- 9. Declarations of Interest
- 10. Minutes of the previous meeting
- 11. NPO Update Report
- 12. Hastings Museum & Art Gallery Business Plan
- 13. Museum Update Report
- 14. Collections Report
- 15. Museum Association Update
In plain English
Decided · A decision has been taken.
Museum Committee resolved to accept an NPO Update Report on the Museum's work towards its next Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation funding application for 2028 to 2033, and recommended the report for approval by Cabinet. p1p5p6
The Committee resolved to accept a Museum Update Report noting that visitor numbers, income and engagement activity were on track to meet targets, and that the Museum's learning programme had engaged more than 2,700 pupils during the reporting period, recommending the report for approval by Cabinet. p1p10p11
The Committee also resolved to accept a Collections Report on collection care, the display of the Hastings Embroidery at the Town Hall, and the appointment of a new Collections Access Officer, recommending it for approval by Cabinet. p1p12p13
Show the 7 passages this is based on
- p1Museum Committee — minutes of the meeting on 14/09/2026
- p511. NPO Update Report Katherine Buckland, Museum Projects and Development Lead, introduced the report and explained that work was underway on the Museum’s next Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation funding application for the 2028 to 2033 period. The Committee was advised that activity delivered during the current funding programme would inform the submission and support the case for continued investment in the Museum. An update was provided on a range of partnership, engagement and learning initiatives, including projects with the Migration Museum and Natural History Museum, outreach activities, school engagement programmes, sustainability planning and forthcoming exhibitions. It was noted that such projects continued to expand community participation, improve access to collections and support learning, skills development and cultural engagement across Hastings. In response to questions from Steve Peak, Officers advised that opportunities would be explored to make greater use of the Museum’s map collection through future exhibitions and links to oral history projects. The Committee heard that alternative sources of funding would continue to be investigated to support digitisation and preservation work. In response to questions from Councillor Jobson and Councillor Webb, it was explained that engagement with rural communities and other groups would be developed through partnership working with existing organisations and community networks. Future National Portfolio Organisation activity would place a greater emphasis on skills development and widening participation across different sections of the community. In response to questions from the Chair, updates were provided on the development of the Indigenous Collections Policy, sustainability planning and preparations for the next Arts Council England funding application.
- p6Policy development remained ongoing with community partners; sustainability findings would be shared more widely across the Council, and preparatory work for the funding application was continuing pending publication of national guidance. Members of the Committee welcomed the range of partnership, outreach and educational activity being delivered and expressed support for the Museum’s continued work to increase community engagement, access to collections and cultural opportunities across the Borough. With approval of the recommendation having been proposed by Richard Street, and duly seconded by Councillor Fawbert, the Committee voted and it RESOLVED: to accept the report and RECOMMEND its approval by Cabinet. Reason: to update the Committee on the Museum’s NPO funded programme work since the last formal meeting.
- p1013. Museum Update Report The Museum Projects and Development Lead introduced the Museum Update Report and advised that visitor numbers, income and engagement activity were performing well and remained on track to meet targets. It was reported that shop income had increased significantly, with trading supported by new stock lines, whilst weddings, venue hire income, and donations were also progressing in line with expectations. An update was provided on the Museum’s learning programme, which had engaged more than 2,700 pupils during the reporting period through visits, outreach projects and the loan box scheme. Members were advised that changes to Arts Council England funding arrangements would require applications for interim and longer-term funding, and that future activity would focus on continuing and developing the Museum’s schools offer. The Committee also received updates on forthcoming exhibitions, including the Hastings Open, Tapestry of Black Britons and Bayeux Tapestry partnership projects, together with a programme of events, volunteering activity and partnership working. Dr Hilda Kean highlighted the contribution of Museum Association volunteers to the operation of the Local Studies Room and suggested that greater use could be made of digital and remote research services. Officers responded that research, scanning and copying services were already available, although further promotion of those services would be beneficial. Richard Street then clarified details relating to a forthcoming Museum Association event on the history of the Hastings Lifeboat. The importance of accurate promotion of events and recognition of the Museum Association’s contribution was acknowledged by the Committee. Councillor Webb welcomed the involvement of community groups in future Museum events and exhibitions, including activities organised by local Ukrainian groups.
- p11Members noted the value of enabling community organisations to contribute their knowledge and expertise to the Museum’s programme. Members discussed opportunities to increase volunteering and public participation. It was reported that any expansion of the volunteer programme would need to be supported by sufficient staff capacity to provide effective supervision, training and coordination. Richard Street welcomed the Museum’s role as the first venue for the Bayeux Tapestry touring display “A British Museum Partnership: Bayeux around Britain casting a masterpiece.” The Committee welcomed the success of the Bayeux Tapestry partnership project and noted the associated investment in equipment and infrastructure that would provide a lasting benefit to the Museum. Members further welcomed the positive performance against visitor, income and engagement targets and the continued development of exhibitions, learning programmes and community partnerships. With approval of the recommendation having been proposed by Councillor Fawbert, and duly seconded by Richard Street, the Committee voted and it RESOLVED: to accept the report and RECOMMEND its approval by Cabinet. Reason: to update the Committee on the Museum’s work since the last formal meeting of the Committee.
- p1214. Collections Report The Museum Projects and Development Lead introduced the Collections Report and advised that collection care activities, including pest management, environmental monitoring and conservation housekeeping, were continuing in accordance with professional standards. Members were informed that a programme of display case cleaning and a wider collection deep clean was scheduled for later in the year to support the long-term preservation of the Museum’s collections. An update was provided on the display of the Hastings Embroidery at the Town Hall, which had generated significant public interest and positive feedback. The Committee was advised of ongoing collections and research work within the Local Studies Room, the appointment of a new Collections Access Officer, and progress in improving access to collections information. Members also received updates on current loans, recent acquisitions and the review of the disposals policy. Steve Peak expressed his concern about capacity within the Local Studies Room, noting that increasing volumes of material and limited storage space made access and organisation difficult. Officers acknowledged the issue and advised that the completion of a comprehensive inventory by the new Collections Access Officer would assist in identifying priorities and opportunities to improve the management and accessibility of the collection. Members discussed the significance of the Local Studies collection and the challenges associated with cataloguing historic material. It was noted that volunteer expertise continued to play an important role in supporting research enquiries and improving access to archives and collections information. Richard Street welcomed the successful display of the Hastings Embroidery at the Town Hall and noted the increased public interest generated by the exhibition.
- p13Members discussed the long-standing aspiration to improve the Museum’s storage and exhibition capacity, although it was acknowledged that significant expansion would require substantial external funding. The Committee welcomed progress in collections management, research access and public engagement, and noted the positive public response to the Hastings Embroidery exhibition and other collections-based activities. With approval of the recommendation having been proposed by Steve Peak, and duly seconded by Councillor Jobson, the Committee voted and it RESOLVED: to accept the report and RECOMMEND its approval by Cabinet. Reason: to update the Committee on collections care, acquisitions, loans and any objects being considered for disposal.