Agenda item

Surrey Heath Heritage Service

Minutes:

The Executive was reminded that Surrey Heath Heritage Service’s purpose was to preserve, manage and document the local heritage and natural history of the Borough of Surrey Heath, which was delivered via a combination of exhibitions in the Museum located at Surrey Heath House and a programme of outreach work and activities. 

 

As a result of the decline in the number of visitors to the Museum, options for a sustainable and viable service going forward had been explored.  Despite the decline in visitors to the Museum, the number of people attending the hosted events, walks and talks continued to be popular with increasing participation.

 

The results of a comprehensive consultation, which had targeted users and non-users, were received.

 

The Executive was advised that it was proposed to deliver the service in a new and more modern way.  A range of options for future arrangements for the Heritage Service and specifically for the Museum have been explored with a number of stakeholders.

 

Options included

 

·       events, workshops, walks and talks to be run throughout the year;

·       an annual exhibition in a Camberley Town Centre location;

·       static displays in the Council’s Contact Centre;

·       a new website to promote activities and make the catalogue accessible for enthusiasts and researchers;

·       facilities for researchers to view items and research aspects of the collection; and

·       continuing the outreach work with schools and other community groups.

 

In addition with the development of the Camberley Town Centre there may be an opportunity to reconsider the aspiration for a physical external presence for the service in the future.

 

The Service would continue to pursue a professional Arts Council Accreditation.  In order to do so the Service must adopt a future mission statement to allow for the accreditation.  After consultation with local history societies, other heritage services and stakeholders it was proposed that the mission statement would be

 

‘Surrey Heath Heritage Services exists to preserve, manage and document the heritage of this Borough. We will promote our unique heritage via public exhibitions, events outreach and research access.’

 

The Executive paid tribute to and thanked the large number of dedicated volunteers who supported the Service and expressed the hope that they would continue to be involved with the Service as it moved forward.

 

RESOLVED to

 

(i)              adopt the proposed changes to the current Heritage Service as set out in the agenda report; and

 

(ii)            agree to confirm the mission statement to allow the collection and service to seek formal accreditation.

 

 

Supporting documents: